Trending Topics

Photo of the Week: Building confidence in N.C. fire recruits

Charlotte Fire Department keeps the historic pompier ladder climb alive

Calling all fire photographers:

FireRescue1 wants to see your pictures! The next time you come across something inspiring, take out the camera and submit it to FireRescue1! Just remember to include your name, agency information and brief background information on the picture.


FR1 Affiliate images - 2025-12-12T094026.127.jpg

Recruits cycle through their climbs on the training tower, each taking a turn on the ladder while classmates watch and wait for their next attempt.

Charlotte Fire Department/Facebook

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte fire recruits are still learning a skill most departments left behind decades ago: the single-beam pompier ladder climb.

While the tool has largely disappeared from the American fire service, Charlotte Fire continues to teach the technique as a nod to the profession’s roots and to reinforce focus, trust and mental discipline.

Department leaders say the tradition, passed down through generations, helps new members understand the courage and commitment of those who came before them, and why those values still matter on today’s fireground.

Trending
As Lineage’s massive Boyle Heights cold storage facility continues burning, officials and experts are raising concerns about warehouse fire hazards
The new Spartan engine features 600 feet of 2½-inch static load housed in a low hosebed
Albuquerque Engine 5 video highlights fireground priorities, including rapid offensive operations, strategic hoseline deployment and integrating primary search with fire attack
A massive blaze at the Allentown riverfront factory spread to nearby homes, forced evacuations, prompted a shelter-in-place order and knocked out power to thousands
Company News
The department’s transition to Pierce custom chassis pumpers reflects a commitment to firefighter safety, operational efficiency and apparatus built specifically for urban fire service demands

FireRescue1 Staff is dedicated to providing firefighters with trusted, timely, and actionable information. Our experienced team of writers, editors, and fire service professionals delivers the latest news, expert insights, and training resources to support firefighters in their mission to protect lives and property. From breaking stories to in-depth analysis, FireRescue1 Staff ensures you stay informed and prepared for the challenges of the fire service.

Interested in expert-driven resources delivered for free directly to your inbox? Subscribe for free to any of our newsletters.

You can also connect with us on YouTube, Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn.