Episode 362

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Published on:

20th Aug 2026

The Proper Use of Ground Ladders with Sam Hittle

adder work is one of the most basic parts of firefighting.

But basic does not always mean simple.

There is a lot of technique involved in throwing, carrying, and placing a ladder correctly.

And small decisions can have a big impact on how well that ladder works when it matters.

Today, we’re looking in-depth at best practices for using ladders,

We’ll talk about the mechanics behind a good ladder throw.

We’ll talk about storage and deployment on the rig.

And we’ll look at some of the common mistakes firefighters make.

My guest today is Sam Hittle. He’s a Captain with the Wichita, Kansas, Fire Department. He is an FDIC Instructor, a Traditions Training Instructor, a Wichita HOT Instructor, and an FDIC Lecturer. He has been published multiple times by Fire Engineering.

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Code 3 - The Firefighters Podcast
Informing and Entertaining Firefighters from Coast to Coast
The podcast for and about firefighters, "Code 3" covers topics of interest to those in the fire service, in about 20 minutes. We take one subject, one guest, and get it done. We don't waste your time.
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Scott Orr