LAFDTILLER ORIENTATION

CURRENT STATION DEPLOYMENT

� Task Force or Light Force– LF or ALF

� Top – Rookie� Inside – FF or FF/PM or vacant� Tiller – FF or FF/PM

– Engine� Nozzle – Rookie� Hydrant – FF or FF/PM

– 800� 2 FFs

– RA� FF/PM cannot rotate

� Single Engine– Can’t get certified

NEED FOR ORIENTATION

� Depletion of certified FFs

� Retiring 105 members this Spring alone

� Promoting 20-30 members every two months to Engineer, A/O, and Captain I

� New Paramedics need two years on RA

� 6 classes per year, 230 new members

� Single engine houses

� Staffing shortages

PURPOSE

Non-Emergency Tillering

� Tools

� Confidence

� Competence

CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

� 3 shifts of non-emergency tillering observing.

� Weekend tillering drills to allow the trainee in an empty parking lot.

� Allowed to tiller on public streets non-emergency with instructor observing.

• Instructor will observe from tiller bucket until Captain, A/O, instructor and trainee feel comfortable with progress.

� Trainee allowed to tiller alone non-emergency

� After substantial non-emergency exposure to tillering the trainee will then be allowed to tiller emergency.

TILLER ORIENTATION

� Tiller Orientation Requirements

– Class B permit

– 1 hour classroom lecture

– 4 hours observing

– 2 hours manipulative

– Tiller on streets non-emergency

BOOK 8

• “Allowing Firefighters to tiller before they are properly trained is unnecessary, and may negatively impact on the safety of the Truck Company. The public will be affected as well.”

OBJECTIVES

� Review LAFD Truck Fleet

� Book 8: Module 9

� Introduce proper SETUP

� Develop good tillering HABITS

� Practical applications

� Lessons learned

� Manipulative

FLEET

– 1993, 1995, 1996 Simon-Duplex

– 2000-2003 American- LaFrance

– 2006, 2009 American-LaFrance

� Dimensions

� Landmarks

� Switches and Controls

� Differences

1993, 1995, 1996 SIMON DUPLEX

SIMON DUPLEX

SIMON DUPLEX- STARTING APPARATUS

2000-2003 AMERICAN LAFRANCE

2000-2003 AMERICAN LAFRANCE

2000-2003 AMERICAN LAFRANCE

2006, 2009 AMERICAN LAFRANCE

AMERICAN LAFRANCE DIMENSIONS

AMERICAN LAFRANCE – STARTING APPARATUS

AERIAL LADDER TRUCKS

� Maneuverability on narrow streets.

� Stability in turns at higher speeds.

� Stability during aerial operations.

� Assist in spotting and observing for overhead obstructions.

� Safety during backing operations.

SETUP

� Check DIRECTION of tiller wheels

� Adjust seat, mirrors.

� Check seat belt and secure loose equipment.

COMMUNICATION

� Establish point of reference of truck

� Use signal buttons –1=stop, 2=forward, 3=reverse

� Do not rely verbal commands

� Communicate A/O with aerial spotting

� Develop rapport with A/O� Backing� Kick in/out trailer� Wires clear bucket� Tillering for different A/Os

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

� Smith System applies to tillering as well

– Aim high in steering

– Get the big picture

– Keep your eyes moving

BEFORE CLIMBING INTO SEAT

� Make sure inventory is high

� Make sure there are no loose items on truck

� Tires and rig are clear of equipment and hazards before leaving scene

� Check tires

� Check blind spots

Steering correctly and in a timely manner depends on a Tillerman’s ability to react properly to the

movement of the truck

� Anticipate the driver’s next move.

� Keeping your eyes half a block ahead of the truck.

� Be aware of blind spots, traffic, and surrounding hazards.

SIMON DUPLEX BLIND SPOTS

2000 AMERICAN LAFRANCE

2009 AMERICAN LAFRANCE BLIND SPOTS

Oversteering – allowing the trailer to move well past an “in-line” position after a turn is completed.

� To avoid this, it is important to begin straightening the tiller wheels before the truck has completed the turn

� Count the number of turns – (Module 9)

Overtillering – occurs when Tillermen turn the steering wheel unnecessarily

� A/O should limit the need for tiller

� Tiller should not steer unnecessarily

� Get familiar with A/O

� Anticipate

Overhang – portion of the trailer that extends from the center of the tiller wheels to the rear of the

trailer

� Tiller bucket at rear of truck – easy to judge clearance

� Be careful swinging out into another lane or oncoming traffic when negotiating a turn. Always check off side before tillering out to avoid collision

� Communicate with A/O � Blind spots – area next to

the tiller wheels. Area behind the tillerman

BACKING

� Backing – Move hands to bottom of wheel

– Communicate objective and distance with A/O

– COUNT TURNS

– Anticipate the reaction from jackknifing truck

APPARATUS PLACEMENT – (NON-EMERGENCY)

� Kicking out or kicking in trailer when parking for fire prevention, shopping, and errands.

� (Emergency) – Drilling is practice for spotting emergency. Making sure ladder bay is clear, overhead obstructions

� Remember that the outriggers are on the trailer, not the

tractor

RELIEF AND STATION DUTIES

� Make proper relief – should be similar to A/Os relief

� Take ownership of the rig – know the maintenance and repairs

� Condition of rig is responsibility of tiller as well as A/O

LESSONS LEARNED

� Any personal story that emphasizes the responsibility that a Tillerman has.– My AO got reprimanded for running over some equipment that the Tillerman left on the ground near the duals after he checked that the rig was clear. (Lesson: The driver will always be held accountable for the outcome of the rig)

– Early morning non-emergency move up to 48s. Tiller dozed off on the freeway. (AO is not the only person in charge of safe driving. Yet he will be held accountable)

– U-turn incident

CONCLUSION

� The most important part of lesson is perfecting the things you can control

� Knowledge and Preparation is key

� Manipulative skills are most important

� Certifications are 25% formality and 75% confidence