Fire Ladder Training

Qualifications

• Most municipalities regard the successful completion of a vocational training program or associate degree in fire science as the best preparation for a fire ladder specialist position, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Supervisors often have a bachelor's degree.

Training

• A 2010 BLS survey shows that a novice firefighter usually receives on-the-job training. Most employees require one or two years of preparation alongside skilled professionals, reports O*Net OnLine. Fire ladder specialists learn how to rescue victims from burning buildings, dress in fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus when conducting rescue initiatives, and operate firefighting equipment, including ladders.

Tools

• According to O*Net OnLine, students in a fire ladder training program learn about the tools of the trade. These include block and tackle equipment, bomb response vehicles, fire suppression hand tools, reciprocating power hacksaws and motorized ladders.