As part of a recent Monday evening in-house training, volunteer firefighters of the West Grove Fire Company trained on ground ladders.

Ground ladders are important rescue and safety tools for firefighters. They are carried on each of the Company's three first-in Engines, on the Rescue truck, and a large quantity are on Ladder 22. At a working fire scene, ladders are optimally placed at every window -- this provides a means of escape for firefighters should conditions warrant a fast exit from a burning building. Ladders can also be used to rescue or assist victims, and help firefighters enter structures when using an entry door is not possible.

While Ladder 22 operates a 105' aerial ladder, the truck also carries more than 200' of ground ladders in various lengths, as the truck can often not be placed to the rear or side of a fire building. Ground ladders can fill that gap to reach windows or building points not accessible by a Ladder truck. Members practiced "throwing" ladders against the Station 122 building in New London, working as individuals and in pairs to throw single- and multi-section ladders.

WGFC has regular Monday evening training sessions for its first responders, part of a strong track record with over thousands of training hours each year. For more information on joining WGFC, see the home page of this website.