Coffee Table Quick Tips: Vol. 2 - Issue 11

Red to Rung and the 2:1

This week, I am going to introduce the idea and concept of utilizing a pre-rigged mechanical
advantage along with a thrown extension ladder as an overhead anchor point that was shown to
me by the senior man on shift when I first got hired in my current department.

Passing on the institutional knowledge that he has bestowed to me will continue his legacy while
also providing an additional means of removing a downed firefighter for the readers of this
CTQT. By simply combining minimal hardware and rope, a system can be implemented into the
rescue of a downed firefighter by hauling him/her up and out of a window and lowering them to
the ground in a controlled manner.

Equipment Needed:

- Ground Ladder (length dependent on height of window)

- 50’ of ½” kernmantle rope w/ bag

- Two (2) oversized carabiners (out of service Gemtor belts)

- Two (2) 2’ single pulleys

- RED and GREEN electrical tape

Step #1 – The exterior crew will need to throw and raise an extension ladder to create an overhead anchor point by landing
the ladder tip over the top rail of the window.

Step #2 – Next, they attach the RED carabiner to the highest rung above the top rail of the window.

Step #3 – The interior crew then can grab the GREEN carabiner from the window opening and attach it to the downed firefighter (after converting the SCBA straps and harness of the downed firefighter).

Step #4 – Utilizing the 2:1 mechanical advantage (the lower ladder rungs can be used for friction
if warranted), the exterior crew can hoist the downed firefighter up and over the window sill and
lower them to the ground and out of an IDLH environment in a safe and swift manner.

( Additional mechanical advantages can be found from a May 2017 short training article authored by AB Turenne: https://community.fireengineering.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1219672... )

AB Turenne is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and is currently the Captain of Training and Safety with a career department in Middlesex County Connecticut. As a Certified Level III Fire Service Instructor, AB's training curriculum has proven to be conducive with the operational needs of those he teaches and in turn has improved the human capital knowledge of many. A graduate from the Master of Public Administration program at Anna Maria College, AB has continued his efforts in training and education by contributing to the Fire Engineering Training Community.