Provided is a braking system for use with an extension ladder having a base section and a fly section movable relative to the base section via an adjustment rope. The braking system includes a first and a second position. When tension is applied to the rope, the spring mechanism allows upwards or downwards movement of the fly section relative to the base section. When tension is removed from the rope, the spring mechanism slows or resists upwards or downwards movement of the fly section relative to the base section regardless of the fly section's position relative to the base section.

A stair assembly may include a plurality of steps, a main stringer pivotably connected to a corresponding lateral end of each of the plurality of steps, and a support stringer pivotably connected to a corresponding lateral end of each of the plurality of steps, wherein the main stringer and the support stringer are movably connected to the plurality of steps such that the rise and the run of the plurality of steps remains consistent when the main stringer and the support stringer are moved relative to each other.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, axles coupled to the chassis, a turntable rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an aerial ladder assembly pivotably coupled the turntable and including a ladder section. The ladder section includes a first base rail and a second base rail extending longitudinally, a plurality of ladder rungs extending between the first base rail and the second base rail, a top plate positioned above the first base rail, a series of lacing members coupled to the top plate and the first base rail, and a gusset plate coupled to the top plate and at least one of the lacing members. The top plate extends at least one of (a) laterally inward of the gusset plate and (b) laterally outward of the gusset plate. The top plate has a solid cross section.

A fire apparatus includes a chassis, axles coupled to the chassis, a turntable rotatably coupled to the chassis, and an aerial ladder assembly pivotably coupled the turntable and including a ladder section. The ladder section includes a first base rail and a second base rail extending longitudinally, a plurality of ladder rungs extending between the first base rail and the second base rail, a top plate positioned above the first base rail, a series of lacing members coupled to the top plate and the first base rail, and a gusset plate coupled to the top plate and at least one of the lacing members. The top plate extends at least one of (a) laterally inward of the gusset plate and (b) laterally outward of the gusset plate. The top plate has a solid cross section.

A vehicle including an aerial device movable from a first position to a second position. A computer control system includes a sensor that detects an operational parameter of the aerial device when the aerial device is in the first and second positions. The sensor outputs first and second signals for the operational parameter when the aerial device is in the first and second positions. When the aerial device is in the first position, the computer control system generates a first graphical representation of the current operating ability of the aerial device in response to the first signal and displays the first graphical representation on the electronic display. When the aerial device is in the second position, the computer control system generates a second graphical representation of the current operating ability of the aerial device in response to the second signal and displays the second graphical representation on the electronic display.

A method of assembling a modular ladder system includes providing the modular ladder system in an unassembled configuration, the modular ladder system comprising a plurality of ladder modules stacked on a ladder base and comprising first and second ladder modules each defining a first end and a second end; removing the second ladder module from the ladder base; coupling the first end of the first ladder module to the second end of the second ladder module to define a ladder, the ladder defining a first ladder end and a second ladder end, the second end of the first ladder module defining the second ladder end and coupled to the ladder base; elevating the first ladder end of the ladder to orient the ladder at an angle relative to the ladder base; and engaging the first ladder end with an elevated support surface of an elevated structure.

A method of assembling a modular ladder system includes providing the modular ladder system in an unassembled configuration, the modular ladder system comprising a plurality of ladder modules stacked on a ladder base and comprising first and second ladder modules each defining a first end and a second end; removing the second ladder module from the ladder base; coupling the first end of the first ladder module to the second end of the second ladder module to define a ladder, the ladder defining a first ladder end and a second ladder end, the second end of the first ladder module defining the second ladder end and coupled to the ladder base; elevating the first ladder end of the ladder to orient the ladder at an angle relative to the ladder base; and engaging the first ladder end with an elevated support surface of an elevated structure.

A base support assembly includes a substantially vertical first support brace; a substantially vertical second support brace oriented substantially parallel to the first support brace; and a first cross member and a second cross member each extending between the first support brace and the second support brace, the first cross member crossing the second cross member to define an X-shaped cross member assembly; wherein: each of the first and second cross members are coupled to the first support brace by a first brace tensioning knob and coupled to the second support brace by a second brace tensioning knob; and each of the first brace tensioning knobs and second brace tensioning knobs are rotatable to tension the first and second cross members with the first support brace and the second support brace.

A base support assembly includes a substantially vertical first support brace; a substantially vertical second support brace oriented substantially parallel to the first support brace; and a first cross member and a second cross member each extending between the first support brace and the second support brace, the first cross member crossing the second cross member to define an X-shaped cross member assembly; wherein: each of the first and second cross members are coupled to the first support brace by a first brace tensioning knob and coupled to the second support brace by a second brace tensioning knob; and each of the first brace tensioning knobs and second brace tensioning knobs are rotatable to tension the first and second cross members with the first support brace and the second support brace.

An electronic display for an aerial device is provided. The electronic display replaces a traditional load chart including the operational parameters of the aerial device being used. The electronic display electrically connected with a computer control system connected to a sensor for collecting at least one piece of data relating to the operational parameters of the aerial device. The computer control system calculating the current operational parameter of the aerial device based on the at least one piece of data collected by the sensor and updating the operational parameters of the aerial device and displaying a graphical representation of the updated operational parameters on the electronic display.