What does the ladder cradle interlock ensure before the ladder can be raised?

The ladder cradle interlock is an essential safety feature designed to prevent accidents during the operation of the aerial ladder. Its primary function is to ensure that the outriggers have been properly deployed before the ladder can be raised. Deploying the outriggers stabilizes the fire apparatus, allowing it to bear the load of the ladder when it is extended or in use, particularly during rescue operations or when fighting fires from heights.

Without ensuring that the outriggers are deployed, there is a risk of the truck tipping over or becoming unstable when the ladder is raised, potentially endangering the firefighters and anyone they may be rescuing. Therefore, this interlock mechanism plays a critical role in maintaining safety and operational integrity during ladder operations.