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Truck Operations

The aerial sequence I run, the three roof operations, search, and the department’s official aerial evolutions.

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The cardAerial Evolution Positioning, securing the rig, preparing, deploying and water — in order. Truck Manual v3.1 §5Search & Rescue Search and rescue operations, p. 62.

Roof operations three separate operations, never mixed

R1Residential — walkableCrew of 2 · single ladder — the Engineer is usually first: sounds, passes the hook back, takes the sawR2Residential — steep pitchCrew of 2 · same single-ladder patternR3CommercialCrew of 3 or more · Lead Hook goes first and sounds; the Engineer makes the inspection cut

Engineer = Lead Saw — fixed. Lead Hook and every other role go to whoever is on the crew that day. OFD Truck Manual v3.1.

Official aerial evolutions ADO-Aerial Task Book, September 2024

1.0Residential roof operation — walkableEngineer runs a walkable pitch residential roof operation1.1Steep pitch roof operationVertical vent on a steep pitch1.2Commercial roof operationVertical ventilation and a heat hole on a commercial flat roof
1.3Window/balcony picks for rescuePlace aerial device to window or balcony to rescue victims⏸ Held — manufacturer-conflict review
1.4Play pipe operation on Tiller 33Set up play pipe on Tiller 33 and pump the master stream device⏸ Held — manufacturer-conflict review
1.5Rope and pulley system set upSet up rope and pulley system for a rescue operation⏸ Held — manufacturer-conflict review

Evolutions 1.3, 1.4 and 1.5 conflict with the Pierce Ascendant aerial operator’s manual on personnel and loading limits. Those conflicts are held for a chief-level decision, and the three pages are not published until they are resolved.

From the manual 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1

§6Apparatus positioningSection 6, p. 143
§5Ground laddersChoices, techniques and positioning — Section 5, p. 88
§5VentilationSection 5, p. 45
§5VES — window-based searchSection 5, p. 75 — “anytime the expression of VES is used, assume it is merely a starting point, unless hallway conditions dictate otherwise”
§5Elevator rescue operationsSection 5, p. 116
Fireground PositioningWhere every unit spots by occupancy, its assignment off the Quick Reference Guide, and the doctrine behind it.→

Sequence from my own aerial evolution card. Evolutions from the ADO-Aerial Task Book, September 2024. Sections from the 2026 OFD Truck Manual Version 3.1.