20Truck

What did you think about the Ladder Tender (LT) concept out in Phoenix? For those of you who don't know, in Phoenix most truck companies have a 2nd piece of apparatus called the ladder tender, or just tender on for short. The ladder tender is equipped with everything a regular truck company would have...minus the ariel device. Most of them look like rescues to me. The way it was explained to me by a Captain out there; the ladder tender responds to all "non-structural" company assignments (ie. ems, extrication, co, dinner runs, etc.) which saves them wear and tear on their actual ladder truck...which in turn makes them last longer. One thing I didn't like about Phoenix Fire Department. Let's say Station 33 houses Engine 33, Ladder 33, and Rescue 33 (Rescues are ambulances). If they take in an EMS run, the assignment would be E33/R33, but the staff for the ambulance would be 2 actual firefighters, detailed form either 33 Engine or 33 Truck. So when the ambulance is transporting, and the Engine clears and takes in an actual structural job, they could be 2 firefighters short...and be first due. Not good when your fighting fire in 110 degree weather. Another interesting thing about fire departments in Arizona. Most firefighters and EMTs wear black brush gear for regular duty wear...on everything from EMS calls to extrications. Mainly because it is too hot to wear actual structural gear. In fact, Southwest Ambulance REQUIRES that all EMS units be equipped with brush gear for extrications.