{"id":1174,"date":"2017-06-06T15:23:11","date_gmt":"2017-06-06T20:23:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.websitepreview.dev\/?p=1174"},"modified":"2020-09-30T13:15:22","modified_gmt":"2020-09-30T18:15:22","slug":"straight-ladder-vs-aerial-platform-which-is-right-for-your-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/straight-ladder-vs-aerial-platform-which-is-right-for-your-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Straight Ladder vs. Aerial Platform: Which is Right for Your Department?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When selecting a fire truck ladder or choosing between a straight ladder and a platform for your next fire apparatus, you may have a lot of questions. Which is safer? Which is cheaper? And what are the regulations that guide which you can choose? Let\u2019s take a look at how to choose between a straight ladder and an aerial ladder when considering an<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/preowned-inventory\/aerials\/?category=All\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aerial fire truck<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and how your choice can benefit your department and your community.<\/span><!--more--><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What should I consider when choosing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">an aerial apparatus<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s a <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-16\/issue-3\/features\/platform-vs-straight-stick-a-multifaceted-question.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">variety of factors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that play into choosing between straight ladders and aerial platforms.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of these include: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maneuverability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Station space<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Department history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primary intended use<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Water flow<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cost<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Preference of those using the apparatus <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pre-defined limits on truck like length or height<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of the factors mentioned, safety and cost are two of the biggest concerns. All ladders and platforms must live up to the <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.nfpa.org\/codes-and-standards\/all-codes-and-standards\/list-of-codes-and-standards?mode=code&amp;code=1901\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) 1901<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> guidelines, meaning that your ladder must be rated for a minimum of 250 pounds, and your platform must be rated for a minimum of 750 pounds. Keep this in mind while on your search for an aerial ladder truck. If your department is strapped for cash, consider what this may mean in your decision. A platform may not be the best choice as they can run up to $100,000 more than a ladder. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why choose a straight ladder? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Straight ladders come with many perks. Those include: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Less gross vehicle weight<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater water tank capacity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Easier positioning around obstacles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater maneuverability<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shorter vehicle length<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Longer ladder length<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shorter stabilizer stance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lower cost<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">n aerial<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ladder <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">truck<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a great choice for a department who may have less cash or who may have a smaller vehicle. Typically, platforms require much more money and a far higher vehicle weight to sustain themselves. Ladders also make it easier to get into hard to reach spaces during an emergency situation. Where a platform may not be able to maneuver, a ladder might be able to get the job done. <\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why choose a platform aerial? <\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Platforms include amenities not seen with a ladder, including: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can be elevated for a long period of time<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can flow more water from it<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher flow capacity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dual monitors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Higher payload capacity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safer workspace when elevated<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safer evacuation method, especially for young, disabled, or elderly victims<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More rescue options<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greater maneuverability with the platform<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Safer use of Stokes rescues<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the best-selling advantages of a platform is <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-15\/issue-4\/departments\/keeping-it_safe\/aerial-firefighter-safety-ladders-versus-platforms.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the safety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. There is less exposure to fire ground elements, a higher heat capacity at the tip of the platform, the lack of need to climb a ladder, and a general safer working environment. Platforms are also unique in that they provide a safer evacuation for those who aren\u2019t able to easily climb down a ladder in an emergency. While certainly being more expensive, some departments choose a platform simply for the safety of it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you do choose a platform, you have to decide whether you would like a <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.fireapparatusmagazine.com\/articles\/print\/volume-18\/issue-3\/features\/choosing-the-right-aerial.html\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rear-mount platform or a mid-mount platform<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Rear-mount platforms have pumps that are more accessible and have greater reach and sweep capabilities, offering the ability to get more water out faster. Mid-mount platforms offer a lower travel height, a necessity for apparatuses in towns and cities with low-hanging trees or low bridges, especially in a historic district of town.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you\u2019re set on a<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">n aerial<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> fire apparatus or need some guidance to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help you<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when selecting a fire truck ladder, Jon\u2019s Mid America is here for you. <\/span><a href=\"\/contact\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contact us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and we\u2019ll help you choose the apparatus that\u2019s best for your department. <\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When selecting a fire truck ladder or choosing between a straight ladder and a platform for your next fire apparatus, you may have a lot of questions. Which is safer? Which is cheaper? And what are the regulations that guide which you can choose? Let\u2019s take a look at how to choose between a straight [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1423,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[733],"tags":[782,739,783],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1174"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1174"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1174\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1423"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1174"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1174"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1174"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}