Where firefighters come to talk training

Outrigger pad trick

Most of the aerial apparatus manufacturers require that we place outrigger pads beneath the feet of the outriggers. You have to really be able to know exactly where your outrigger foot is going to come down and leave the pad in that exact spot, or go back and make a quick adjustment when you realize that you are not lining up.
While in Los Angeles a few years ago doing ladder training, we noticed that they pre-welded small guides that can easily slide onto the outrigger feet before they ever come out from the apparatus. That way you are always spot on.

I thought it was a pretty slick idea. If you can't tell from the pictures, L.A. City uses LTI aerials (American LaFrance).
Any thoughts to it?

Attachments:

outrigger pads 3.jpg, 343 KB
outrigger pads 1.jpg, 349 KB

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Drew Smith on July 24, 2008 at 8:25pm

I train our guys to put the outriggers out but not down before setting the pads. I do this for two reasons: 1) It saves having to make adjustments and 2) it lets them see exactly where the outrigger will hit and how far it is to curbs, manholes, etc.

In the 80s I worked at a department with a Snorkle and they had the guides on the plates like the photos. One thing that worked well on the rig was the outrigger feet stored vertical and moved to horizontal as you set them. This allowed you to slide the plates on before you did anything else.

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