On a busy Saturday “Work Day” at the station, Firefighter Nick Hilton added a unique “tool” to Truck 8. The 8 Ball, which squeaks when you squeeze it, is hanging from a chain about a foot long from the tip of Truck 8’s aerial ladder. Although the 8 Ball is a good symbolic icon for “Truck 8”, it serves an important role. When firefighters extend the ladder to a roof of a building, it is crucial to leave about 6 inches to 1 foot of space between the tip of the ladder and the roof. This gives the ladder enough room to move with the weight of firefighters exiting the ladder and boarding the ladder. The 8 Ball acts as a guide to the firefighter on the turn table. When the ball touches the roof, the tip of the ladder is in the proper position.
