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Before 1930, firefighters used wooden ladders, but as buildings grew taller, Sam Carbis invented an aluminum fire escape. San Francisco firefighters still use wooden ladders due to safety reasons and build them in-house for $100 per linear foot. The city’s steep and narrow streets and strong winds pose challenges for ladder trucks.
Prior to 1930, all ground ladders used by firefighters were made of wood. But as the height of the buildings continued to rise, a new vertical firefighting solution was needed. Enter Sam Carbis, who invented a more maneuverable aluminum fire escape, changing the landscape for first responders.
Wooden ladders are still in use in some communities, particularly in San Francisco, where firefighters use ladders made from Douglas fir. Unlike metal stairs, wooden stairs don’t conduct electricity, making them safer in a city known for its busy streets and low power lines.
Fighting fires the old-fashioned way:
San Francisco is especially unique because its firefighters build their own ladders. The San Francisco Ladder Shop has been designing, building and maintaining ladders for the SFFD since 1917. At a cost of approximately $100 USD per linear foot, the ladders aren’t cheap, but they’re easier to repair if they break.
San Francisco stairs are made of lumber that has been allowed to mature for at least 15 years, which keeps the stairs stable in the humid conditions of the city.
San Francisco has a maze of very steep and narrow streets that make ladder trucks difficult to access. Another challenge for the San Francisco Fire Department is the strong wind blowing off the bay, making the lightweight ladders less stable.
