Stokes Basket Operations — Study Materials Flashcards

Front

Anchor Slings

Back

High-strength nylon webbed straps with D-rings on both ends used to quickly set a strong anchor for aerial operations. They must be applied with no twists or kinks and inspected for damage before each use.

Front

Auto-Locking Carabiner

Back

A locking connector used to attach rescue rope, bridle straps, and anchor slings during Stokes basket operations. These must be checked for proper autolock operation, spring function, gate movement, and pins before use.

Front

Brake Tube

Back

An aluminum rope-friction device designed for controlled lowering of heavy loads during aerial rescues. It is manned at all times while in use and tied off with specified wraps and an overhand safety knot.

Front

Guide Ropes

Back

Utility ropes attached to the ends of the Stokes basket to stabilize and control the basket during raising and lowering. Two guide ropes must be used to maintain control and keep personnel from working beneath a suspended basket.

Front

Landing Zone

Back

Firefighters assigned to the ladder truck who deliver equipment to the turntable unit, prepare the Stokes basket and associated knots and bridle, and maintain control of the basket throughout the incident. They perform the initial safety check with the basket three feet above ground before operations continue.

Front

Pulley System

Back

A two-large-pulley system used to spread the load of the rescue rope across aerial rungs and route the rescue rope to the ground. The right pulley is reserved for TRT and the left is reserved for the ladder truck; the rescue rope must travel over the left pulley unobstructed.

Front

Rescue Rope

Back

A 200 ft. x 5/8 in. orange rope with a red tracer used only for emergency rescues. After any actual emergency use the rope must be removed from service, tagged "USED," and exchanged for a new rescue rope per HFD policy.

Front

Roof Top Unit

Back

Responders who make initial contact with victims on roofs or above-grade incidents, assist in patient assessment, recommend aerial placement, and package victims for removal. They also secure victims in the Stokes basket and coordinate with turntable and landing zone units.

Front

Stokes Basket

Back

A stainless steel litter (basket) designed to carry or lift a victim for transport during high-angle or above-grade rescues. Victims must be secured with approved HFD straps and packaged per HFD protocols; rectangular backboards do not fit so tapered backboards are used for spinal immobilization.

Front

Stokes Bridle

Back

A sling-type device consisting of an O-ring and four high-strength webbed straps with auto-locking carabiners used to attach the rescue rope to the Stokes basket. The bridle must be inspected daily for cuts, abrasion, stitching integrity, and contamination and never stored preconnected to the basket.

Front

Stokes Basket Tender

Back

A designated TRT member who rides attached to the Stokes basket with the patient to provide basic medical care during aerial rescues. The tender stabilizes and monitors the victim and performs required medical interventions while in transit.

Front

Turntable Unit

Back

The company responsible for raising and lowering the aerial ladder or tower, connecting anchor slings and the brake tube, and coordinating with landing zone and rooftop units. The senior captain on the turntable mans the brake tube and performs load checks during lift procedures.

Front

OEC

Back

The Office of Emergency Communications responsible for determining if a ladder/tower is needed, dispatching the TRT and appropriate aerial apparatus, and maintaining accurate availability and location of ladder/tower companies. OEC must be notified if apparatus equipment is missing or damaged.

Front

Senior Captain

Back

Officer who ensures compliance with Stokes basket guidelines, inspects and documents equipment condition, notifies OEC of equipment issues, and provides a narrative report after emergency rescue rope usage. The Senior Captain also supervises bridle and brake tube tie-offs during operations.

Front

Engineer/Operator

Back

Personnel trained and competent to operate aerial ladders or towers during any stage of a Stokes basket operation. Operators must run the aerial at low idle for smooth movement and reduced noise to improve communication.

Front

Victim Packaging

Back

Victims moved via Stokes basket must be packaged per HFD medical protocols, using tapered backboards for spinal immobilization and HFD-issued straps to secure the patient. No webbing is allowed and care should be taken to reduce victim anxiety and ensure a safe transport.

Front

Training Rope Policy

Back

Training rope and hardware must be kept separate from emergency rescue gear; only the designated orange rescue rope is used for emergencies. Training systems may be used in classroom settings but training rope or hardware shall not be used for actual emergency operations.

Front

Inspection Schedule

Back

The Stokes basket, bridle, rescue rope, and associated hardware must be inspected on the first apparatus day of each month, with the bridle checked every apparatus day. Results are recorded in the Captain's Log and any defects require the item be taken out of service and reported to Supply.

Front

Dropped Hardware

Back

Any metal hardware dropped more than three feet must be removed from service, tagged "DROPPED," and turned into Supply due to risk of metal fatigue and potential catastrophic failure under load. This includes bridles, pulleys, and carabiners.

Front

Operational Wind Limit

Back

Ladders and towers are not to be deployed in winds greater than 35 MPH to avoid unsafe conditions. Wind limits are a critical safety consideration and must be observed during all above-grade operations.