"The Ladder Shop." San Francisco Fire Department

The San Francisco Fire Department is one of the only departments in the world that builds its own wooden ladders. They use wood for many reasons in San Francisco. See why they make their own ladders and the history of many of these wooden ladders that are more than 100 years old.

[@jimdavidsonjr2845]

Somehow akin to packing your own parachute

[@Truck6Fireman]

I have watched this several times and it gets better every time I see it. Thank you for the time and effort you put into this.

[@whollybraille7043]

Craftsmanship is what made humanity's extraordinary image-of-God nature shine. It's what we have to return to. There is no strength, stability or beauty in the modern pragmatic throw-togethers we rely on.

[@Atlascoatingsandconstruction]

I own a painting and remodeling company in Kansas City. It is funny how we all complain about how heavy our modern ladders are.. 350lbs for a 50'er?!!!! WOW! LOL Saw 4 guys putting that one up! Hey it is GREAT to see you guys doing it the old world craftsmanship way. Kudos, it is really great to see the attention to detail, the acclimation 15yrs?! The fact that the same ladders are still around that were used back in the roaring 20's!
-Nathan Deneault

[@houtslager]

great woodworking shop, shame you did not make it longer and show more of the woodworking skills the guys have in the making of their ladders.
K

[@EnidAgnusDei]

I can only hope this place is still making these, fantastic video.

[@barefooboy17]

yes they are!

[@wonderglory]

That's amazing!

[@eriegamewell]

Outstanding

[@yealife2947]

I love wooden ladders. The difference in my opinion is this. Wooden ladders are made by craftsmen to exacting standards for professional use in certain situations. Aluminium ladders are made by unskilled labour in factories for the most profit possible. I own and use both types in my business for the exact same reasons outlined in the video.

[@leonelvazquez6483]

the ladders you use are not built the same as that of a fire department. It is much more different.

[@yealife2947]

I didn’t say my ladders were the same as the fire departments. I said I use different ladders in different situations for the same reason they do. Wanker

[@peterstevens6555]

Use to build fix and tag wooden ladders here in New Zealand for the fire brigade …now they buy Aluminium ladder from the UK …
The power board here in NZ now buy fiberglass ladders from Australia …

[@MoparGuy1625]

I've always wondered why CA Dept's used wooden ladders. Such a cool process. Love the tradition about this. Amazing work. Question though, wouldn't a wooden ladder weigh way more than aluminum?

[@leonelvazquez6483]

That's exactly why they carry them, tradition. And yes they are much heavier.

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

But they are far more stable. Climbing up high. I think SF is the only city in California (or the nation) which uses wooden ladders.

[@1topfueldrag]

MOPARGuy With all the power lines and the frequency use of ladders is why they use wood. Wood is less conductive of electricity vs. aluminum.

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

@@1topfueldrag - Right. It will just catch fire instead (which is better by far than being electrocuted).

[@bobr5274]

@@1topfueldrag I worked off of aluminum and Then most of my career with wood ladders wood has a better feel than aluminum and another advantage not mentioned is that aluminum can weaken in heat and fail without much warning. Wood unless it is on fire holds up to heat better. Wood does burn obviously but you can see it happening.

[@3badges1familyrestorations53]

Alameda County Fire Dept uses all wood!!

[@xxbryan715xx]

Very intresting. I personally much prefer aluminum ladders.

[@barefooboy17]

lol