About Wooden Fire Truck Extension Ladders

Wooden extension ladders were standard equipment in the early days of firefighting. Modern fire truck extension ladders are usually built of aluminum. Wooden extension ladders are still used on some fire trucks.

Where Used

• Some West Coast fire departments, such as Los Angeles, California, and the San Francisco Fire Department still use wooden extension ladders on all fire trucks. In San Francisco, the ladders are handcrafted by a company that has produced all the extension ladders used since 1917.

Safety Features

• San Francisco and Los Angeles have many low-hanging electric lines and closely spaced buildings. Wooden ladders don't conduct electricity. Damaged power lines can contact metal features of a building, charging metal trims and posing unseen dangers to firefighters on metal ladders. The wooden ladders are maneuverable in tight spaces where electrical lines need to be avoided and are heavier and more stable than metal ones in strong winds that come from the Pacific Ocean.

Advantages

• Wooden ladders last longer than metal ones. Ladders are still in use in San Francisco that were built in 1918. Douglas fir wood is aged 15 years before being used for ladders so that it is seasoned to the local climate to make sturdy reliable products. Damage to wooden ladders is more readily apparent than in aluminum ladders and more easily reparable.