FDNY has at last count if I remember correctly 142 ladder companies. To make rescues with aerials you have to be first and worse case scenario second due aerial to get in front of fire building. So specialized high teach ladders generally don’t make grabs unless they are first due. The extra weight and vehicle length would keep them out of many FDNY houses. Now for the big factor. Many NYC buildings have setback and access problems - the projects, the 6-7 story apartment buildings on Sedgwick and cedar in the Bronx and in highbridge that are built into sides of hill and the only access is the #1 side. The high rises all over the city - even high reach ladders would have very little scrub area on these buildings. And the 174 foot and 225 foot European style articulating high reach booms have such a large tormentor/ jack spread that it would be limited on many of the Manhattan crosstreets The expensive and loss of maneuvering ability etc are not worth it for the little gains and extra maintenance - can’t even keep the existing RM and TLs in service. FDNY has mastered the art of interior stairwell / standpipe firefighting and is blessed with a larger than average response force on initial alarms. Grabs would continue to made from the inside or by rope before one of these super ladders would be able to arrive and be set up. Firefighting? Again FDNY has become very adept at fighting fires beyond the reach of aerial master steams so an extra floor or 3 in height access dosent really mean anything in a city of skyscrapers. Now - should FDNY have one Or two of those 174 foot or more articulated booms for technical rescues, train accidents on the elevated viaducts in Queens etc.? Maybe. Just my opinion Happy New Year
