District of Columbia ladder staffing

[MtlFire]

I just finished reading the recommendations following the LODD deaths of the Kennedy St. and Cherry Hill road fires. I notice in both reports a recommendation is made to return ladder staffing to 5 firefighters.

According to the latest firehouse survey results ladders are 5 in DC. Could someone confirm this? As well as fill me in if the change was a result of this reports, and about when it occured?

Thanks.

[R1SAlum]

Fairly accurate. Without getting into the politics of the change, we returned to 5 minimum shortly before 9/11. My company, as most Trucks, have 8 assigned to each of 4 shifts. Ex: A Lt., Sgt., Driver, Tillerman, and 4 F/F's. It's never less than 5 but is at 6 on more and more occasions as we have been hiring lots of people. The excess is now used to staff an Ambulance and the Sergeant's position here are covering officers.

[MtlFire]

Thanks for the information. Over the years we've dropped from 5-6 to 3 on our truck companies.

Mtlfire

[R1SAlum]

where the heck would 8 guys ride in a tiller piece? We have seating for 6 in the cab, driver officer and 4 jumpseats, but more than 2 guys back there and its a clusterfunk.

Eight assigned....never have more than 6 riding.