A hollowed out tree was on fire. We used a 10′ attic ladder and a 1 1/2″ attack line to reach one of the openings on the tree. We had a nozzleman on the ladder with a firefighter
heeling the ladder with another back-up firefighter along with 1 more firefighter standing close by the area. When the nozzleman opened the nozzle completey open the pressure of the hose pushed the nozzleman back into the firefighter heeling the ladder causing the ladder to pivot away from the tree. The back up firefighter, the firefighter standing by, and the heel firefighter were able to gain control of the nozzleman, the ladder, and the open nozzle.
Lessons Learned: Open the Nozzle slowly and under control.
Use a leg lock when operating on a ladder.
Use a hose strap when operating a hose from a ladder.
Always have a heel firefighter when using a ladder.
Always have a firefighter for safety.
