When A Quick Exit Is Needed

Sometimes when there are deteriorating conditions in a fire, there is a need for a rapid exit of all personnel with the use of ground ladders. The safety and survival of all personnel is contingent on the ability for crews to exit the structure as fast as possible. This is where the ladder bail technique is utilized.

Exiting Onto Ladder Head First

The first fireighter exits the window in a head first position until his entire body is out of the window. Here it is imperative that the exiting firefighter clears the window completely in order to allow for the exiting of fellow firefighters behind him. Once out of the window, the firefighter will lock the insteps of his feet on one of the ladder rungs to stabilize himself for the next step of this technique.

Rotating to an Upright Position

Once stabilized, he then rotates his body 180 degrees utilizing proper hand placement on the rungs and side of the ladder. This is an extremely technical method that requires repetitive hands on training to properly master. Once the firefighter is in the upright position he may then slide down the ladder in a quick manner to clear a path for fellow firefighters in need of a rapid egress from the building.