Fire Engines Photos

Another Aussie pumper, which seems to be carrying NO ground ladders! How do they get away with it?

Added by Rob Johnson on 03 December 2012.

they do carry ground ladders, they are located on top of the vehicle.

Added by Adam Bain on 03 December 2012.

Rob, it'll take a few more deaths of people jumping out of windows before things change mate, ,

Added by Pav on 04 December 2012.

The pumper in picture 33388 also seems to be carrying no ladders; the one in picture 33393 has what looks to be a single 7 or 8 meter extension. Is this typical?

Added by Rob Johnson on 04 December 2012.

I think it's just the angle of the photo. Nowadays the heel is often located very low down, to minimises H&S risks, but that means it has to be recessed into the roof somewhat, at quite an angle making it barely visable.I think from certain angle, the ladder is easily hidden from view.

Added by Michael G on 04 December 2012.

That's true, I see these trucks every day. In New Zealand The ladders on the appliances over there are clearly visible.

Added by Adam Bain on 04 December 2012.

Rob, both trucks have what appear to be a 10.5m (34'5") aluminium double extension ladder, which is fairly standard throughout Australia. I'm not aware of any Brigades carrying a longer ladder, perhaps a current serving member could assist, thanks.

Added by Pav on 05 December 2012.

So - no hook ladders, roof ladders, first floor ladders, indoor ladders, folding or telescopic ladders, step ladders, sectional ladders, or 12 or 13.5/14 meter extension ladders either.

I guess it makes the choices much simpler for firefighters there than for firefighters in places like the USA, Canada, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Brazil, Chile, Sweden, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Ukraine, China, Denmark, Kuwait, India, Pakistan, Greece, Turkey and a dozen other countries.

They either get to use the 10.5 or not. Really easy!

Added by Rob Johnson on 05 December 2012.

Rob, I've gone out and got a photo on my phone for you of the second smaller ladder they carry, if I can find the download cord will post. But I'd have to ask, what's the point carrying a roof-ful of ladders if the stats indicate they are hardly used??

Added by Pav on 08 December 2012.

It all depends on how often "hardly" happens. My point is that practically every country's fire services provide their firefighters with a wide variety of readily-available ladders for different situations - and for some reason I don't know only Australia and New Zealand seem to be way out of step.

Added by Rob Johnson on 10 December 2012.

9 metre ladder and WAKU step ladders are commonly carried on these vehicles. Any higher and you can call in proper aerials.

Added by Bobman on 02 February 2014.

Bobman - I have visited Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne, and it occurs to me that - in common with the rest of the World - these cities have plenty of structures which will require a taller ladder than 9 meters.

Cities like London, Paris, Berlin and larger US cities have numerous aerial ladders at their disposal. But they all also routinely equip half of their pumpers (or all of their aerials) with 12, 14 or 15 meter ground ladders, so these are available on first responding units at every structure fire call.

Does Melbourne have a high ratio of aerials to pumpers? In most US and German large cities it is 1 for 2, in Berlin and Brussels 1 for 1.5 and in Paris 1 for 2.7.

Added by Rob Johnson on 02 February 2014.

Oh dear, that'll make RJ happy, , , , I hope his blood pressure can handle it!

Added by Pav on 03 February 2014.

Thanks for your concern Pav. I am very happy, but still mystified!

Australian brigades used to operate many 50 foot wheeled escape ladders, just like the UK. When these were replaced in Britain by 45 foot Merryweather and Lacon ladders, the Australian fire services seem to have not sought a similar replacement.

I am always interested to know why different countries tackle what is essentially the same set of risks in such different ways, and there are often very good reasons. But I have still not figured out why Australia and New Zealand just dropped the idea of carrying long extension ladders on at least some of their pumpers - and they are amongst very few countries to have done this.

PS - My BP is 110/70, which is pretty good for my advanced age. I don't test it while visiting this website, but I will start just as soon as I am advised by a medical expert to do so.

Added by Rob Johnson on 03 February 2014.

In South Australia we have 12 metre Nor-Bas ladders on several appliances, mostly in 2 truck stations. Also have several SkyJet appliances, Ratio would work out to about 1 for 3

Added by Andrew van Ek on 28 February 2014.

Thanks Andrew. Your comment helps me understand that Australia is not after all so far out of step with everyone else. We just don't seem to see these 12 meter ladder units on this website.

Added by Rob Johnson on 22 March 2014.

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