re: I found this interesting: Firetruck Ladders

Gonna have to disagree with you a bit BJ. I’ve seen far more catastrophic failures with aluminum ladders than wood. Wood gives some warning before failing while aluminum does not. I was far more comfortable on wooden ladders than aluminum. That being said, aluminum certainly has a better strength to weight factor than wood. Wood ladders are certainly heavier. Try doing a church raise with a wood 45’ bangor…….

The heat indicators are a relatively new addition, they were introduced and required in the mid to late ’80s. Prior to that, as long as the ladder was still straight is stayed in service.

Given San Francisco’s unique circumstances, wood isn’t romantic it’s survival.