Aerial Training
Lt. Joe Pennino from Largo (FL) Fire Rescue sent in some photos of an aerial training method that has been around for a while. It helps aerial operators with the depth perception and finesse of the controls.
Their method was simply to hang a traffic cone on some rope, and place some other cones at different spots around (and on top of the) building. We have seen a similar method that uses a tennis ball on string, and five gallon buckets. Either way, the idea is the same, simply to place whatever is hanging from the aerial in (or on) the target object. This drill is very helpful in teaching new aerial operators to fine tune their movements.
28 Comments so far
Leave a reply
Page 1 of 11
RSS Feed
Twitter
Facebook
Email
With a slight modification you can exercise the old noggin too…
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/funepics/aerialchess.jpg
this is a great idea and could also help spotters train for those trucks with the controls not on the turntable.
Great Idea! I’m not sure our aerial operators do any training even close to this. Fitssiks, you definately have something going on here as well. Maybe an international competition!
you can also utilize drills like this for waterway operations
We use a slight variation on this that is a bit more challenging. We use a ¾ full five gallon bucket of water or an AFFF bucket slung with rope or webbing, you secure it the areal device hanging about five feet down off the front of the bucket or ladder. You have to drop it into garbage cans at three points and are timed. First is at ground level, on a roof top about half extension, one almost full extension. The addition of water makes you keep smooth even on transition from one station to another; if you are not smooth you get the dreaded swing that is like a wrecking ball!!!
A side notes that Joe did not mention the “play station generation” will after a very short amount of orientation beet your most experienced operator every time!!! It was fun watching a sixteen year old with no experience smoke a forty five year old man!!! LOL, thank you for sharing we will try this variation come spring for a change up.
Nice Drill
Similar training I have done was use a 3 foot hook tied off directly to the platform and place the hook into the top of the cones. Put the cones on the ground, on roof top, etc. This method puts the platform closer to the target and gives more realistic setup for improving depth perception. Also this is possibly the best or only use for the 3 foot hook.
FitSsikS that was funny as hell. This does seem like a very good drill.
I thought the 3′ hooks were for the mdget crew. I didn’t know they actually had a use.
Great idea!
LOL,,, we put all the 3’ hooks on the engine, they make good door stops !!
Oh and not to bust balls (but I must) that is a squirt not a truck!!!! Clearly an engine that is confused LOL
I thought all the 3 ft hooks were for pulling all the closet cielings out
Very good drill. We do this annually. This is very helpful when stoke-basket operations are needed.
LET’S SEE YOU FELLERS DO THIS WITH A ’76 SNORKEL!
The 3 or 4 foot hooks are called “impulse buy items” at the trade shows.
They help the quality tool manufacturers…I mean Bob F…… finance the really good stuff he sells. 
And this IS a good training idea ! Thanks!
Safe, friendly competition is always more fun than just checking the box on the training task list.
I thought the 3′ was to give to EMS so they don’t feel left out or “discriminated”
Hey you guys dont forget another good application for the 4′ hook. Our Truck Chauffuer uses it to keep the hoodlums away swinging it when they try to rip our truck off. Great idea for arial training. Keep up the good work.
Stay safe
Keep on Truckin’ See ya’ on Da’ roof
This is realy cool, I have never thought of this way, but we use a bucket filled with water tied off to the tip of the areal, and we have to set it on top of a step ladder without spilling any water. pretty fun stuff
What a great idea guys!! This is an excellent training method that is “out of the ordinary” to allow truck company operators to train for precise aerial ops. I will suggest this method to our truck company Captains to see if we can begin this type of training immediately. Great Job!!
Great training. We’ve taken a pike pole and hooked it to the end of the aerial. You can then use fire boots and place them where ever.
Thanks for the training idea!
Great idea. I’ll definitely have the men try this.
Stay safe Brothers.
hello guys. nice drill i will try this next training . in training and testing we have used a bucket an a long chain . let the chain hang from the basket and try to fill the bucket with the chain . using the ladder is easy but using the snorkel or lift is a challenge.
keep safe .
svein
stavanger fire departement
norway
One thing we used to teach our truckies was to use simple hand signals like are used by crane operators,to signal “swing L or R, retract/extend ,raise/lower” http://tinyurl.com/bzsdfd TCSS FTM Harry
Nice drill Joe…I’ll have to try it with the boys at 38.
We took this drill which was a good idea… Then we blind folded the operator and used radio’s. One guy at the cone giving directions to the operator on the ladder. Made for some funny times and a great way to improve on there communication.
great drill.. finally got around to trying it
This is a great drill. We have done this a number of times and have added it to our aerial operator training program.