What is required to fly a member on an aerial ladder?

To fly a member on an aerial ladder, it is essential to operate under the captain's discretion or in scenarios that prioritize life safety. This means that the decision to utilize the aerial ladder for personnel deployment is primarily guided by the incident commander or captain, who assesses the situation and determines if the risks justify the action.

In life-threatening situations where immediate access or rescue is vital, the captain may decide to deploy personnel using the aerial ladder despite any other standard protocols or requirements. This underscores the importance of having experienced leadership that can make quick, informed decisions under pressure. Such decision-making is critical in ensuring that operational safety is maintained while addressing urgent life-saving needs.

Training certification and written requests may have roles in other aspects of operational procedures but do not hold the same level of authority in the immediate decision-making context regarding aerial ladder deployment. Safety gear is important for personnel safety but cannot replace the necessity of situational judgment exercised by the captain.