Truck Operations›Evolution 1.0
Official evolution · ADO-Aerial Task Book · September 2024
Engineer runs a walkable pitch residential roof operation.
Crew of 2 — Engineer (Lead Saw) · Lead Hook. Orem rulings SR-4 / R-20 · 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.46 (“For residential walkable pitches, two should be able to open up fairly quickly”) · p.48, two-person roof team
Walkable = a 6/12 pitch and below. Anything over a 6/12 will most likely require working off a ladder — that is the Steep Pitch evolution, not this one. 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.46 (Developing a Ventilation Profile — building size-up)
Lead Hook — commonly filled by the Tillerman or Tailboard; the role, not the riding position, is what is fixed (Orem SR-5). Places the secondary ladder, brings hook to the roof, and sounds out the path of travel for the Lead Saw. Is responsible for pulling and punching as well as radio communications while the saw operator is working.
Lead Saw — Engineer. Places the primary ladder, brings saw to the roof, and is in charge of the roof operation: where the heat hole is being placed, and expanding the hole. Is in charge of radio communications while the Lead Hook is pulling and punching.
Positioning of Truck Company crew members is ultimately up to the Captain in charge, but should be decided upon in the morning at the beginning of the shift to reduce on-scene confusion.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.48 (Roof Team Assignments — Truck split, two-person team)
Three distinct roof evolutions — never merged: 1.0 Walkable (this sheet) · 1.1 Steep Pitch · 1.2 Commercial. Orem standing ruling SR-4
Correct positioning of truck for operation.
"The tip of the ladder should 'kiss' the roof with both beams. This takes the bounce out of the ladder and is much safer to maneuver up and down with tools."
"Stay away from placing the egress section on the roof and opt to place the beams on instead."
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.143 (Section 6 Apparatus Positioning — Corners) · Orem ruling R-31
Uninvolved to Involved — spot the ladder to create distance between where the fire is and where it will be going. Crews going to the roof need time to assess and perform ventilation; this also sets up to protect uninvolved portions of the building if aerial master streams are anticipated.
Inside vs. Outside — an inside spot needs a longer throw (building height or long setback). An outside spot lets Engine companies position closer to the building underneath the Truck's ladder, gets the waterway out of the way, produces a better climbing angle for crews going to the roof, and sets up aerial master stream operations should the need arise.
Pull past or stop short — pulling past can put the aerial where needed and leaves the front of the structure open for ground ladders to be pulled quickly, for primary or secondary access/egress.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, pp.143–144 (Section 6 — Apparatus Positioning)
Primary ladder in correct position. (offside corner)
The Engineer places the primary ladder — Aerial or ground. The primary ladder is the primary means of accessing the roof. Throwing to the off-side corner trades space for time: it gives the team an opportunity to perform diagnostic work prior to committing over the fire, and starts the path of travel from an uninvolved portion of the building. The Aerial is the strongest, safest one-man ladder throw the fire department has, and should be strongly considered on multi-story single-family dwellings. On single-story residential the primary ladder will be a ground ladder — as it will be on any operation lacking access to the roof with the Aerial. Tip 3–5 rungs above the roofline, climbing angle ~75°; high shoulder carry is the preferred method for roof access, for its speed.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.47 (Rig to Roof) · p.48 (paths of travel start uninvolved) · p.93 (Roof Access/Egress — ladder type, tip placement, carry) · Orem ruling R-11
Secondary ladder in correct position (between primary and fire location)
Orem: halfway between the primary ladder and the fire, on the fire-side wall — Truck Manual p.47 · ruling R-41
"Ideally, every member of the roof team should pass the secondary ladder on their way to the fire while traversing the roof."
Every Truck going to the roof for ventilation must throw two ladders — a primary and a secondary. On a two-person residential roof operation the Lead Hook places the secondary ladder. The secondary is utilized for egress only, if conditions deteriorate topside — see Emergency Operations below.
Exception — very small buildings: laddering two corners, such as the A/B and A/D, might prove more beneficial. Tip 3–5 rungs above the roofline, same as the primary.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.47 (Rig to Roof — two ladders, secondary placement, exceptions) · p.48 (two-person roof team) · p.93 (egress-only rule, tip placement) · Orem rulings R-41, R-11
Start saw on the ground.
Mask up at bottom of ladder.
OFD has a standard of 20 seconds or less mask-up times. These critical seconds help reduce the size of the fire on arrival and increase civilian survival.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.63
STOP — BEFORE ANYONE STEPS ONTO THE ROOF
All buildings shall be treated as lightweight until an inspection hole proves otherwise. Cross country walking across the roof is extremely dangerous and should not be done at any time.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, pp.46, 49Lead hook sounds roof. (Bird dogs over Roof line)
Orem ruling R-9: residential = single ladder. The Engineer is usually first up — sounds, passes the hook back, takes the saw, and does the work. (Commercial differs: Lead Hook goes first and sounds; the Engineer then makes the inspection cut.)
Sounding sequence at the ladder, in order:
Roof team safety depends on all members understanding safe paths of travel and adequate sounding. Paths of travel should in most cases start from an uninvolved portion of the building — that is why the primary ladder goes to the offside corner.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.48 (Sounding and Paths of Travel) · Orem ruling R-9 / SR-4
Engineer cuts inspection hole if indicated and determines truss spacing, decking, type of construction etc.
This determines what type of roof operations we can perform. Inspection holes are an absolute on all commercial roofs and can be beneficial on long sloped roofs.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49 (Diagnostics — Inspection Hole) · published in full per Orem ruling R-43
Lightweight (most homes in the city). Pitched. Trusses of 2″×4″ and smaller diameter wood, spaced 24″ o.c., top chord in compression, bottom chord pulling tension, parallel chords, usually held together with gusset plates. Decking is plywood or OSB. Strong areas are the outside load bearing walls. There will usually not be a ridge beam. TJI's can be found on long sloped sections of residential roofs. Cutting directly over fire is not advised on lightweight roofs — trade space for time if fire is found coming from a smoke indicator hole.
Conventional. 2″×6″ or larger dimensional lumber placed 16″–24″ o.c., decked with 1″×6″ straight, diagonal or spaced sheathing, which can be replaced or covered with plywood. Conventional roofs are very strong and can resist fire for large amounts of time — cutting an offensive heat hole directly over fire in these types of roofs is encouraged.
All buildings are treated as lightweight until the inspection hole proves otherwise; the operation differs based on what is found once the hole is cut.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.55 (Roof Types — Lightweight Roofs) · pp.56–57 (Conventional Roofs) · p.46 (treat all buildings as lightweight)
Engineer will indicate path of travel and Heat hole location.
The Lead Saw dictates the path of travel to the rest of the crew. All walking is done as much as possible on load bearing walls and at right angles; on the majority of residential roofs, work from the outside load bearing wall.
The heat hole is placed as close to over the fire as possible — the goal is to rapidly release heat and smoke and slow horizontal spread by sending the fire vertical.
Smoke indicator holes mark the way. Two types: the small 3-sided triangle, which is the go-to on commercial buildings, and the kerf — a single plunge cut into the roof. Placed every 15–20′ and at every change of direction, cut out of the path of travel; when passing a heavy load, place a kerf before and after it. Smoke indicators are continually reassessed to determine changes in interior conditions.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, pp.48–49 (Sounding and Paths of Travel · Smoke Indicator Holes · Offensive Heat Holes)
Lead hook sounds following load bearing Walls and sounds area to be cut.
The Lead Hook sounds the roof ahead of the Lead Saw, following the path of travel the Lead Saw dictated, and sounds out the area where the heat hole will be cut before the saw goes to work.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, pp.47–48 (Roof Team Assignments · Sounding and Paths of Travel)
Engineer cuts heat hole utilizing correct Cut sequence (Double center rafter).
Orem's primary cut sequence — versatile enough for the majority of residential and commercial roofs. Yields an initial 4′ × 6′ hole.
Five cuts, in this order. The numbers below are the numbers on the diagram.
The hole is then expanded with or against construction, always working back towards your egress.
"Care should be taken to never place a ventilation hole between you and your egress."
Geometry computed from the manual's stated facts: five cuts; the head cut rolls two rafters and stops at the third, which at 24″ o.c. is the stated 6′, and the dice cuts give the stated 4′. The middle dice splits the span so each of the two panels is left supported by one center rafter — the "double center rafter." A dice is made by turning the saw 90° off the head-cut line (the manual describes dicing this way in its strip-cut sequences, p.51). Dice cuts run approximately 1–1½ saw lengths.
The sequence changes per structure. The manual's own words: the double center rafter works for "the majority of residential and commercial roofs"; the single center rafter cut is "reserved for steep pitch roofs where our reach is limited, or where rafter spacing is greater than 24″ o.c." (p.49); on panelized commercial roofs the cut is made entirely from a beam or purlin, with its own sequence (pp.58–59); and strips are cut with or against construction as the building dictates (pp.50–51).
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49 (Offensive Heat Holes — the two cut sequences, 4′×6′ yield, single-centre-rafter scope) · p.50 (Double Center Rafter Cut, step by step) · p.51 (dicing, 90° turn) · pp.58–59 (panelized variant)
Lead hook pulls decking material and Punches sheetrock.
All decking is pulled back onto the roof. Louvering is discouraged — it blocks the ventilation opening, and material can fall in, making punching the lid difficult or falling onto interior crews.
Decking varies: 1×6″ straight, diagonal or spaced sheathing on older conventional roofs (commonly covered with plywood for earthquake stability); plywood and OSB on newer roofs.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.50 (Opening the Roof)
After opening up vent hole Engineer will Determine if hole needs to be extended (demonstrate extending with and against Construction)
To be effective the hole must exhaust the built-up pressure from inside. If the initial hole is exhausting smoke and/or fire under pressure, it needs to be expanded. The Lead Saw makes the determination. Expand with or against construction, always working back towards your egress.
"Care should be taken to never place a ventilation hole between you and your egress."
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, pp.49–50 (Offensive Heat Holes · Double Center Rafter)
Lead hook will sound off the roof following Load bearing walls.
Sound your way off, following the same path of travel you came up. Never walk where you haven't sounded.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.49 (exiting the roof — sounding your way off)
What the Truck Manual actually supports for a roof team in trouble. Cited line by line — nothing added.
Conditions deteriorate topside — egress via the second means.
The Secondary Ladder will be utilized for egress only if conditions deteriorate topside. It was thrown halfway between the primary ladder and the fire on the fire-side wall, and ideally every member of the roof team passed it on their way to the fire while traversing the roof.
The offside-corner aerial spot, placed just a few feet off the corner, allows for two ways on and off the ladder — "this can come in handy if crews need to exit the roof in a hurry."
When exiting the roof we sound our way off, following the same path of travel that we came up. At no time should we be walking where we haven't sounded. Cross country walking across the roof is extremely dangerous and should not be done at any time.
"Care should be taken to never place a ventilation hole between you and your egress."
Smoke indicators placed on the way in should be continually reassessed to determine changes in interior conditions.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.93 (Secondary = egress only if conditions deteriorate topside) · p.47 (secondary placement · every member passes it) · p.143 (two ways off) · p.49 (sound your way off · no cross country walking · indicator holes reassessed) · p.50 (hole never between you and egress)
Drop bag — down on making the roof, so a line can reach you.
On each member's SCBA going to the roof there should be a drop bag attached, containing 75′ of utility rope. The Engineer (or Captain) from the roof team drops it upon making the roof. Engineers on the ground should be looking for drop bags from the roof and should bring a 1¾″ line with an attached fog nozzle to them when possible.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, p.60 (Roof Member Rescue — Member into the roof, Drop Bag) · repeated p.61 (Member through the roof)
Roof Mayday — Who, What, Where. Immediately.
Roof Maydays are broken into three categories. In every one, the Mayday is transmitted immediately and includes three basic facts: Who, What and Where.
"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. L33 has a member partially into the roof, halfway down the Charlie wall, 20 ft. in."
Member INTO the roof: call the Mayday · get a line to the roof via the drop bag, flowing onto the member if fire conditions are present, from an area determined safe · never just go for the grab — the area is compromised; sound out around the downed member first, then present a hook under the armpits (hooks up) or through the SCBA straps · bring roofers across, spanning multiple rafters, placed at angles in front of the member · cut for life — cut away from the member to pull the fire that direction · blowing out rafters — cut two rafters away in a secured area, blow out that rafter, insert a roofer and use it for leverage to get under the downed member's feet · on pitched residential, access the attic space away from the member, noting that members in the attic space might be unconscious, needing air and significant assistance getting out.
Member THROUGH the roof: the Mayday could be the single biggest thing the roof team does for them — most rescue work will be interior companies and RIT. Line to the roof, flowing into the area they went in if fire conditions are present. Cut for life, and stay cognisant that lift is still needed inside.
Medical emergency on the roof: call the Mayday; if conscious and mobile, inform the IC and assist the member off. If unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR without delay. Drop-bag rope over two rungs of a ground ladder (friction wrap above the roofline) can lower the member, or lower via Aerial in the stokes.
2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1, pp.59–61 (Roof Member Rescue) · "RIT" per Orem ruling R-16
Source. ADO-Aerial Task Book, September 2024, Evolution 1.0 (printed p.16) — the 13 steps verbatim, in the printed order. Operational depth from the 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1: Section 5 Ventilation (pp.45–51), Roof Types (pp.55–57), Roof Member Rescue (pp.59–61), Search timings (p.63), Ladders (p.93) and Section 6 Apparatus Positioning (pp.143–144). Page numbers are the manual's own printed page numbers, re-derived from the page footers. Cut-sequence diagram computed from the manual's stated geometry (pp.49–50). Orem-labeled adjustments per rulings SR-4, SR-5, R-9, R-11, R-16, R-20, R-31, R-41, R-43.
Version: prototype · Last reviewed 2026-08-30 · Compiled by Engineer Jason Anderson