NFPA 1002 Driver/Operator - Tiller cheat sheet

The tiller seat is the rear-steering position on a tractor-drawn aerial; the tiller operator steers the trailer axles to track the tractor and controls the rear of the apparatus during travel and spotting.

Primary duties: maintain visual/radio contact with the driver/operator, keep the trailer wheels on the intended path, watch overhead and lateral clearances for the trailer and aerial, and relay rear-obstruction information the driver cannot see.

The tiller operator is responsible for the rear half of the apparatus; the driver/operator remains responsible for the tractor and overall vehicle control. Neither may assume the other has checked a clearance.

Riding position rules: remain seated and belted in the tiller seat while the apparatus is in motion; standing or leaning out to steer is prohibited except where the manufacturer's design requires a standing tiller position with a restraint.

Minimum staffing for a tractor-drawn aerial typically requires a driver/operator plus a tiller operator; the apparatus should not be driven from the tractor with an unmanned tiller except for maintenance movement per local policy.

PPE: helmet with chin strap, eye protection, hearing protection, gloves, and seat belt; the tiller position exposes the operator to exhaust, road debris, and weather, so full PPE is worn even for short moves.

Before moving, the tiller operator confirms the tiller seat, steering wheel, brake/air gauges (where provided), and intercom/radio are functional and reports readiness to the driver/operator.

Hand signals and radio phrases are standardized before the response: 'ready to roll,' 'stop,' 'clear right/left,' 'tail swing,' and 'obstruction' each have one meaning agreed on at the start of the shift.

NFPA 1002 requires driver/operators to perform routine tests, inspections, and servicing functions on the systems and components of the apparatus they are authorized to operate.

Walk-around inspection sequence: start at the driver's door, move clockwise, checking tires, wheels, lug nuts, body panels, compartment latches, lights, and the tractor-trailer connections at each point.

Tire checks include tread depth, sidewall condition, cuts, bulges, and proper inflation; dual tires must not touch and valve stems/extensions must be accessible and capped.

Check all fluid levels (engine oil, coolant, power steering, transmission, windshield washer) with the engine off and the apparatus on level ground; note any fluid below the minimum line and document it.

Air brake inspection: with the system charged and engine off, check for air loss (static leak test), then verify the low-air warning activates before the governor cut-in pressure and the spring brakes apply.

The fifth-wheel, kingpin, and trailer-locking mechanisms must be inspected for wear, cracks, secure locking jaws, and proper lubrication; a partially latched fifth wheel is an out-of-service condition.

Electrical and lighting: headlights, high/low beam, turn signals, four-way flashers, brake lights, tail lights, marker lights, backup alarm, and the tiller-position communication system all must function.

Documentation: complete the daily/weekly inspection form, record defects, and place the apparatus out of service until defects affecting safe operation are corrected; report defects to the company officer.

Coupling sequence: align the tractor with the trailer, back slowly until the fifth-wheel jaws engage the kingpin, listen/look for the lock indicator, tug test with the tractor, then connect air lines (emergency/red before service/blue) and electrical cord.

After coupling, verify the locking jaws are closed around the kingpin, the release handle is in the locked position, and the safety latch is engaged; a visual and physical check is required, not just an audible click.

Raise the trailer landing gear fully after coupling; failure to retract gear causes damage and can throw debris. Before uncoupling, lower the landing gear to firm ground contact.

Uncoupling sequence: chock the trailer wheels, lower landing gear, disconnect electrical cord and air lines, release the fifth-wheel latch, then pull the tractor slowly forward and clear.

Tiller steering is counterintuitive: turning the tiller wheel left moves the rear of the trailer left, which swings the front of the trailer (and the aerial turntable) right; the tiller operator must anticipate trailer off-tracking and tail swing.

Off-tracking: the rear wheels of a long trailer track inside the path of the tractor on turns; the tiller operator steers to keep the trailer wheels on the road or in the intended lane and to prevent curb or shoulder contact.

When backing, the tiller operator steers the trailer to follow the tractor's intended path; the driver/operator backs slowly with a spotter or the tiller operator's guidance, and either can call a stop at any time.

Tiller steering is used only at low speeds during spotting and tight maneuvers; at highway speeds the tiller is centered and locked per the manufacturer's instructions to prevent trailer sway.

Pre-trip: verify the aerial device is stowed and locked, the turntable lock is engaged, outriggers/stabilizers are fully retracted, and all compartment doors and ladder locks are secured.

Weight and height: know the apparatus's gross vehicle weight rating, axle weight limits, overall height, and length; bridge and overpass clearances must be checked against the overall height before routing.

Braking: tractor-drawn aerials use air brakes; allow greater stopping distance than a passenger vehicle and use engine braking on downgrades, keeping the air system within normal pressure range.

Turning: swing wide to keep trailer wheels clear of curbs and to account for off-tracking; slow to a safe speed before the turn and accelerate gently through it.

Following distance and speed: reduce speed in adverse weather, on wet or icy roads, and in traffic; the trailer's mass increases stopping distance and reduces maneuverability.

Backing requires a spotter or tiller operator guidance; if visibility is lost, stop. Use mirrors, backup alarm, and radio communication; never back without a clear, confirmed path.

Railroad crossings: stop, look, and listen; do not shift gears on the crossing, and ensure the trailer clears the tracks before stopping beyond them.

Post-trip: chock wheels, set parking brake, and inspect the aerial, outriggers, and trailer connections before leaving the apparatus.

Position the apparatus so the aerial's intended reach covers the target with the boom at a safe operating angle; consider overhead wires, trees, buildings, and the collapse zone.

Set the parking brake, chock the wheels, and place the transmission in the proper gear (or park) before deploying stabilizers; the apparatus must be on firm, level ground.

Deploy all outriggers/stabilizers fully and set pads on solid surfaces; use cribbing under pads on soft ground and verify the apparatus remains level per the manufacturer's inclinometer or bubble level.

Never operate the aerial unless all stabilizers are deployed and the interlock system permits operation; bypassing interlocks is prohibited except for manufacturer-approved emergency procedures.

Keep the area under and around the aerial clear of personnel; the turntable and boom path define a no-standing zone.

Spot the apparatus so the aerial can be operated over the side or rear as needed; avoid positioning where the boom must pass over the cab or where the operator cannot see the tip.

Account for terrain slope and soil condition; soft ground, curbs, and vault covers can fail under outrigger loads, so use load-spreading pads and monitor for settling.

Coordinate with the incident commander and other apparatus so the aerial has clear access, egress, and room to reposition if conditions change.

Operate the aerial only within its rated load, reach, and angle limits as marked on the load chart and manufacturer's placard; never exceed the maximum tip load or platform capacity.

Before raising, verify the aerial is clear of personnel, the boom path is clear, and the turntable lock is released per the operating procedure.

Emergency lowering: know the manual override or auxiliary power procedure for lowering the aerial if hydraulic or electrical power fails; practice it during drills.

If the aerial contacts energized electrical lines, the operator should remain in the platform and warn others away; do not touch the apparatus and ground simultaneously, and follow the utility's guidance.

If the aerial becomes unstable or the apparatus begins to tip, stop all movement, lower the boom if possible, and evacuate per the emergency plan; do not attempt to counterbalance by moving personnel.

Fire in the aerial or apparatus: shut down the device, lower if safe, evacuate, and notify the driver/operator and incident commander immediately.

After any emergency operation or abnormal event, the aerial must be inspected before returning to service.

Establish radio or intercom contact between the tiller position and the driver/operator before moving and maintain it throughout the response and spotting.

Use standardized, brief phrases and confirm receipt; repeat critical instructions such as 'stop' and 'clear' back to the sender.

The tiller operator reports rear clearances, obstacles, and trailer position; the driver/operator reports tractor position, traffic, and overall vehicle status.

Either operator can call 'stop' at any time; a stop command is obeyed immediately without discussion.

During spotting, the driver/operator and tiller operator coordinate with the incident commander and aerial operator so the apparatus is positioned once, not repeatedly repositioned.

Hand signals supplement radio when radio fails; agree on signals (stop, slow, left, right, back) before the shift and use them consistently.

Report completion of each step (stabilizers set, aerial stowed, apparatus ready to move) so the other operator knows the state of the apparatus.

Maintain communication discipline: no unnecessary radio traffic during critical maneuvers, and no cell phone use while operating.

NFPA 1002 defines the minimum job performance requirements for fire apparatus driver/operators, including those for tractor-drawn aerial apparatus.

Driver/operators must be trained and authorized before operating any apparatus; the AHJ determines the specific qualification and licensing requirements.

Required knowledge includes apparatus systems, driving techniques, inspection and maintenance, and operation of the aerial device and pumping system where applicable.

Driver/operators must demonstrate the ability to perform routine tests, inspections, and servicing, and to operate the apparatus safely under emergency and non-emergency conditions.

Emergency vehicle operation laws vary by jurisdiction; driver/operators must know and follow applicable statutes, including use of warning devices and right-of-way rules.

Driver/operators must be able to operate the apparatus in reverse, in tight spaces, and on varied terrain, and must understand the effects of weight, height, and length on handling.

Continued proficiency is maintained through recurrent training, drills, and evaluation as required by the AHJ.

Tractor-drawn aerial apparatus may carry a pump and water tank; the driver/operator must know the pump capacity, tank size, and hose load.

Pump operations: engage the pump per the manufacturer's procedure (parking brake set, transmission in neutral or pump gear, PTO engaged), and monitor discharge pressure and water supply.

Water supply options include hydrant, tanker shuttle, and draft; the driver/operator must know the apparatus's intake and discharge connections and the pump's rated capacity.

Aerial waterway operations: the aerial may have a piped waterway or ladder pipe; the driver/operator must know the waterway controls and pressure limits to avoid overloading the aerial.

Foam systems: know the proportioning method, tank capacity, and how to flush the system after use.

Monitor apparatus systems during pumping: engine temperature, oil pressure, transmission temperature, and pump pressure; shut down if limits are exceeded.

After pumping, drain and flush lines, disengage the PTO, and return the apparatus to road-ready condition.