What is a ladder company & what do they do at a fire scene?

The job assigned to a Ladder Company at a fire is determined by the arrival sequence of the ladder. For this discussion, we will consider an assignment, to a report of a house fire. This type of assignment would include three engines, two ladders, and one deputy chief.

The first ladder to arrive at the scene of a working fire will assist the first engine with gaining access to the building, "forcible entry." Once entry is made the crew will do a quick search of all areas which can be entered. They are looking for victims and for fire. They will advise the engine as to where they should stretch hose lines. As they search, they will ventilate the building as they go opening windows to remove the smoke. The second ladder is assigned to search above the fire, while the first ladder crew searches the fire floor. If the fire is on the top floor, the second ladder crew will go to the roof to ventilate it. After both ladder crews have completed a primary and a secondary search they are assigned to open up the walls, ceiling, and floors to look for fire which may be burning out of sight.

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1. What are the Firefighter Agility Test Requirements?
2. Why does the fire department respond to my house for a medical emergency?
3. What is an engine company and what do they do at a fire scene?
4. What is a ladder company & what do they do at a fire scene?
5. What are the various equipment on fire apparatuses?
6. Why does a fire engine come to my house when I have a medical emergency?
7. What does an Engine company do and what are their jobs on a fire scene?
8. What does a Ladder company do and what are their jobs on a fire scene?
9. What kind of tools and equipment is on the different trucks?
10. Why do firefighters break windows and cut a hole in the roof at a fire?
11. Why do firefighters cut holes in the walls at a fire?