Philadelphia, PA

[jpw25pfd]

[quote name='Dave B.' post='158341' date='Oct 25 2007, 13:42 ']Jack, I remember listening to the city back in the 70's. I often heard the term "Tac Ladder" used. Would this be an instance where the Engine was out and another alarm in the district needing an engine, say, for a trash fire or special assignment came in? Would they then use the Tac and the Ladder, much like the Task Force assignments that came later, and use the Ladder number instead of the engine?



It seems to me those designations were more in North Philly than anywhere else.[/quote]

Dave,

The Tac Ladder was used when the Unit (engine) was out, usually at an extra alarm fire. If a Tac responded on a box that went to an extra alarm, they always tried to get the Tac off the fireground as quickly as possible. This was done so that they could cover their own box alarm territory or be sent to a station where the engine was at the fire and team them up with the ladder. You are correct with regard to the similarity between the Tac Ladder and the Task Forces of the 1990's. Reading the phrase "special assignment" brought back some memories.......



Jack