Patent Publication Number: US-2021178206-A1

Title: Aerial configuration for a mid-mount fire apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     This application (a) is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/601,182, filed Oct. 14, 2019, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,176, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,426, filed Apr. 23, 2018, and (b) is related to (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,630, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,382, filed Apr. 23, 2018, (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,653, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,420, filed Apr. 23, 2018, (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,570, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,384, filed Apr. 23, 2018, (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,600, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,414, filed Apr. 23, 2018, (v) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,143, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,419, filed Apr. 23, 2018, (vi) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,029, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,335, filed Apr. 23, 2018, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/829,922, filed Apr. 5, 2019, and (vii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/389,072, filed Apr. 19, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/661,330, filed Apr. 23, 2018, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Fire apparatuses may be configured as rear-mount aerial fire apparatuses or mid-mount aerial fire apparatuses. Further, such fire apparatuses may be configured as quint configuration fire apparatuses including an aerial ladder, a water tank, a water pump, ground ladder storage, and hose storage. Typically, the aerial ladder of such fire apparatuses is not operable at a significant depression angle and, therefore, must be extended a considerable distance such that a distal end thereof reaches low enough for ground access. 
     SUMMARY 
     One embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a chassis defining a longitudinal axis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, and a ladder assembly. The body assembly defines a recess that includes a plurality of angled portions. The plurality of angled portions extend laterally outward at a downward angle away from the longitudinal axis. The ladder assembly has a proximal end disposed within the recess. The plurality of angled portions at least partially facilitate the ladder assembly in traveling through at least one of a sweep angle range or a depression angle range. 
     Another embodiment relates to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a chassis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, and a body assembly coupled to the chassis behind the cab. The body assembly defines a recess that extends longitudinally along a portion of the body assembly and laterally across an entire width of the body assembly. The body assembly including a plurality of angled portions that accommodate an implement extending at a depression angle from the recess. 
     Still another embodiment relates to a mid-mount fire apparatus. The mid-mount fire apparatus includes a chassis defining a longitudinal axis, a front axle coupled to the chassis, a rear axle coupled to the chassis, a cab coupled to the chassis, a body assembly coupled to the chassis, and a ladder assembly coupled to the chassis between the front axle and the rear axle. The ladder assembly includes a plurality of ladder sections and a basket. The ladder assembly has a maximum horizontal reach of at least 88 feet. The ladder assembly extends at most 20 feet from a side of the body assembly with (i) the ladder assembly oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, (ii) the ladder assembly oriented horizontal, and (iii) the plurality of ladder sections fully-retracted. The ladder assembly is repositionable to a depression angle such that a platform of the basket is positionable 20.3 inches or less above a ground surface with the plurality of ladder sections fully-retracted. The ladder assembly extends at most 19.5 feet from the side of the body assembly with (i) the platform positioned 20.3 inches or less above the ground surface, (ii) the ladder assembly oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and (iii) the plurality of ladder sections fully-retracted. 
     This summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Other aspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices or processes described herein will become apparent in the detailed description set forth herein, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a left side view of a mid-mount fire apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a rear view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of FIG. 1  having outriggers in an extended configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a front view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of FIG. 1  having outriggers in an extended configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1  relative to a traditional mid-mount fire apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1  relative to a traditional rear-mount fire apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of a rear assembly of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is detailed rear perspective view of the rear assembly of  FIGS. 10 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is another rear perspective view of the rear assembly of  FIG. 10  without a ladder assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the rear assembly of  FIG. 12 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a torque box of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the torque box of  FIG. 14 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 16  is a perspective view of an aerial ladder assembly and turntable of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of a pump housing of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a first configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 18  is a side perspective view of a pump system within the pump housing of  FIG. 17  in a second configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 19  is a side perspective view of the pump system of  FIG. 18  with a platform in a deployed configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 20 and 21  are opposing side views of the pump system of  FIG. 18 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 22  is a detailed perspective view of an aerial assembly recess of the mid-mount fire apparatus of FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIGS. 23 and 24  are various perspective views of a scrub area of an aerial assembly of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 25  is a rear view of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1  having an aerial assembly at a negative depression angle, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 26  is a front view of an aerial assembly of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1  in a plurality of configurations, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 27  is a block diagram of a control system of the mid-mount fire apparatus of  FIG. 1 , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, a vehicle includes various components that improve performance relative to traditional systems. In one embodiment, the vehicle is a mid-mount quint configuration fire apparatus that includes a water tank, an aerial ladder, hose storage, ground ladder storage, and a water pump. The aerial ladder is coupled to the chassis between a front axle assembly and a rear axle assembly of the fire apparatus and pivotable about a lateral pivot axis and about a vertical pivot axis. The aerial ladder includes a base ladder section, at least one extensible ladder section, and/or a basket coupled to an end of the aerial ladder. The aerial ladder may be operable in a scrub area below grade in a negative depression angle range (e.g., zero degrees to at least more than negative eight degrees, up to negative fifteen degrees, up to negative twenty degrees, etc.) and through a sweep angle range (e.g., more than fifteen degrees, at least 30 degrees, at least 50 degrees, etc.). The at least one extensible ladder section may be configured to over-retract beyond a proximal end of the base ladder section. The ladder assembly may be repositionable such that a platform of the basket is accessible from a ground surface without extending the at least one extensible ladder section. 
     Overall Vehicle 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-21 , a vehicle, shown as fire apparatus  10 , is configured as a mid-mount quint fire truck having a tandem rear axle. A “quint” fire truck as used herein may refer to a fire truck that includes a water tank, an aerial ladder, hose storage, ground ladder storage, and a water pump. In other embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  is configured as a mid-mount quint fire truck having a single rear axle. A tandem rear axle may include two solid axle configurations or may include two pairs of axles (e.g., two pairs of half shafts, etc.) each having a set of constant velocity joints and coupling two differentials to two pairs of hub assemblies. A single rear axle chassis may include one solid axle configuration or may include one pair of axles each having a set of constant velocity joints and coupling a differential to a pair of hub assemblies, according to various alternative embodiments. In still other embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  is configured as a non-quint mid-mount fire truck having a single rear axle or a tandem rear axle. In yet other embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  is configured as a rear-mount, quint or non-quint, single rear axle or tandem rear axle, fire truck. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-7, 10-13, 17, and 18 , the fire apparatus  10  includes a chassis, shown as frame  12 , having longitudinal frame rails that define an axis, shown as longitudinal axis  14 , that extends between a first end, shown as front end  2 , and an opposing second end, shown as rear end  4 , of the fire apparatus  10 ; a first axle, shown as front axle  16 , coupled to the frame  12 ; one or more second axles, shown as rear axles  18 , coupled to the frame  12 ; a first assembly, shown as front cabin  20 , coupled to and supported by the frame  12  and having a bumper, shown as front bumper  22 ; a prime mover, shown as engine  60 , coupled to and supported by the frame  12 ; and a second assembly, shown as rear assembly  100 , coupled to and supported by the frame  12 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-7, 10, and 12 , the front axle  16  and the rear axles  18  include tractive assemblies, shown as wheel and tire assemblies  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the front cabin  20  is positioned forward of the rear assembly  100  (e.g., with respect to a forward direction of travel for the fire apparatus  10  along the longitudinal axis  14 , etc.). According to an alternative embodiment, the cab assembly may be positioned behind the rear assembly  100  (e.g., with respect to a forward direction of travel for the fire apparatus  10  along the longitudinal axis  14 , etc.). The cab assembly may be positioned behind the rear assembly  100  on, by way of example, a rear tiller fire apparatus. In some embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  is a ladder truck with a front portion that includes the front cabin  20  pivotally coupled to a rear portion that includes the rear assembly  100 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the engine  60  receives fuel (e.g., gasoline, diesel, etc.) from a fuel tank and combusts the fuel to generate mechanical energy. A transmission receives the mechanical energy and provides an output to a drive shaft. The rotating drive shaft is received by a differential, which conveys the rotational energy of the drive shaft to a final drive (e.g., the front axle  16 , the rear axles  18 , the wheel and tire assemblies  30 , etc.). The final drive then propels or moves the fire apparatus  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the engine  60  is a compression-ignition internal combustion engine that utilizes diesel fuel. In alternative embodiments, the engine  60  is another type of prime mover (e.g., a spark-ignition engine, a fuel cell, an electric motor, etc.) that is otherwise powered (e.g., with gasoline, compressed natural gas, propane, hydrogen, electricity, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-7, 10-13, and 17-19 , the rear assembly  100  includes a body assembly, shown as body  110 , coupled to and supported by the frame  12 ; a fluid driver, shown as pump system  200 , coupled to and supported by the frame  12 ; a chassis support member, shown as torque box  300 , coupled to and supported by the frame  12 ; a fluid reservoir, shown as water tank  400 , coupled to the body  110  and supported by the torque box  300  and/or the frame  12 ; and an aerial assembly, shown as aerial assembly  500 , pivotally coupled to the torque box  300  and supported by the torque box  300  and/or the frame  12 . In some embodiments, the rear assembly  100  does not include the water tank  400 . In some embodiments, the rear assembly  100  additionally or alternatively includes an agent or foam tank (e.g., that receives and stores a fire suppressing agent, foam, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 10-12 , the sides of the body  110  define a plurality of compartments, shown as storage compartments  112 . The storage compartments  112  may receive and store miscellaneous items and gear used by emergency response personnel (e.g., helmets, axes, oxygen tanks, hoses, medical kits, etc.). As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6, and 10-12 , the rear end  4  of the body  110  defines a longitudinal storage compartment that extends along the longitudinal axis  14 , shown as ground ladder compartment  114 . The ground ladder compartment  114  may receive and store one or more ground ladders. As shown in  FIGS. 3, 5, and 10-13 , a top surface, shown as top platform  122 , of the body  110  defines a cavity, shown as hose storage platform  116 , and a channel, shown as hose chute  118 , extending from the hose storage platform  116  to the rear end  4  of the body  110 . The hose storage platform  116  may receive and store one or more hoses (e.g., up to 1000 feet of 5 inch diameter hose, etc.), which may be pulled from the hose storage platform  116  though the hose chute  118 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 and 10-13 , the rear end  4  of the body  110  has notched or clipped corners, shown as chamfered corners  120 . In other embodiments, the rear end  4  of the body  110  does not have notched or clipped corners (e.g., the rear end  4  of the body  110  may have square corners, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the chamfered corners  120  provide for increased turning clearance relative to fire apparatuses that have non-notched or non-clipped (e.g., square, etc.) corners. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3, 5, 6, and 10-13 , the rear assembly  100  includes a first selectively deployable ladder, shown as rear ladder  130 , coupled to each of the chamfered corners  120  of the body  110 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the rear ladders  130  are hingedly coupled to the chamfered corners  120  and repositionable between a stowed position (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1-3, 5, 12, 13 , etc.) and a deployed position (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 6, 10, 11 , etc.). The rear ladders  130  may be selectively deployed such that a user may climb the rear ladder  130  to access the top platform  122  of the body  110  and/or one or more components of the aerial assembly  500  (e.g., a work basket, an implement, an aerial ladder assembly, the hose storage platform  116 , etc.). In other embodiments, the body  110  has stairs in addition to or in place of the rear ladders  130 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 12, 17, and 18 , the rear assembly  100  includes a second selectively deployable ladder, shown as side ladder  132 , coupled to a side (e.g., a left side, a right side, a driver&#39;s side, a passenger&#39;s side, etc.) of the body  110 . In some embodiments, the rear assembly  100  includes two side ladders  132 , one coupled to each side of the body  110 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the side ladder  132  is hingedly coupled to the body  110  and repositionable between a stowed position (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1, 2, 17, 18 , etc.) and a deployed position. The side ladder  132  may be selectively deployed such that a user may climb the side ladder  132  to access one or more components of the aerial assembly  500  (e.g., a work platform, an aerial ladder assembly, a control console, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and 13 , the body  110  defines a recessed portion, shown as aerial assembly recess  140 , positioned (i) rearward of the front cabin  20  and (ii) forward of the water tank  400  and/or the rear axles  18 . The aerial assembly recess  140  defines an aperture, shown as pedestal opening  142 , rearward of the pump system  200 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment the water tank  400  is coupled to the frame  12  with a superstructure (e.g., disposed along a top surface of the torque box  300 , etc.). As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 12, and 13 , the water tank  400  is positioned below the aerial ladder assembly  700  and forward of the hose storage platform  116 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 12 and 13 , the water tank  400  is positioned such that the water tank  400  defines a rear wall of the aerial assembly recess  140 . In one embodiment, the water tank  400  stores up to 300 gallons of water. In another embodiment, the water tank  400  stores more than or less than 300 gallons of water (e.g., 100, 200, 250, 350, 400, 500, etc. gallons). In other embodiments, fire apparatus  10  additionally or alternatively includes a second reservoir that stores another firefighting agent (e.g., foam, etc.). In still other embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  does not include the water tank  400  (e.g., in a non-quint configuration, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3, 5-7, 10, 17, and 18 , the aerial assembly  500  includes a turntable assembly, shown as turntable  510 , pivotally coupled to the torque box  300 ; a platform, shown work platform  550 , coupled to the turntable  510 ; a console, shown as control console  600 , coupled to the turntable  510 ; a ladder assembly, shown as aerial ladder assembly  700 , having a first end (e.g., a base end, a proximal end, a pivot end, etc.), shown as proximal end  702 , pivotally coupled to the turntable  510 , and an opposing second end (e.g., a free end, a distal end, a platform end, an implement end, etc.), shown as distal end  704 ; and an implement, shown as work basket  1300 , coupled to the distal end  704 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 14, and 15 , the torque box  300  is coupled to the frame  12 . In one embodiment, the torque box  300  extends laterally the full width between the lateral outsides of the frame rails of the frame  12 . As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the torque box  300  includes a body portion, shown as body  302 , having a first end, shown as front end  304 , and an opposing second end, shown as rear end  306 . As shown in  FIGS. 12, 14, and 15 , the torque box  300  includes a support, shown as pedestal  308 , coupled (e.g., attached, fixed, bolted, welded, etc.) to the front end  304  of the torque box  300 . As shown in  FIG. 12 , the pedestal  308  extends through the pedestal opening  142  into the aerial assembly recess  140  such that the pedestal  308  is positioned (i) forward of the water tank  400  and the rear axles  18  and (ii) rearward of pump system  200 , the front axle  16 , and the front cabin  20 . 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 12 , the aerial assembly  500  (e.g., the turntable  510 , the work platform  550 , the control console  600 , the aerial ladder assembly  700 , the work basket  1300 , etc.) is rotatably coupled to the pedestal  308  such that the aerial assembly  500  is selectively repositionable into a plurality of operating orientations about a vertical axis, shown as vertical pivot axis  40 . As shown in  FIGS. 12, 14, and 15 , the torque box  300  includes a pivotal connector, shown as slewing bearing  310 , coupled to the pedestal  308 . The slewing bearing  310  is a rotational rolling-element bearing with an inner element, shown as bearing element  312 , and an outer element, shown as driven gear  314 . The bearing element  312  may be coupled to the pedestal  308  with a plurality of fasteners (e.g., bolts, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , a drive actuator, shown as rotation actuator  320 , is coupled to the pedestal  308  (e.g., by an intermediate bracket, etc.). The rotation actuator  320  is positioned to drive (e.g., rotate, turn, etc.) the driven gear  314  of the slewing bearing  310 . In one embodiment, the rotation actuator  320  is an electric motor (e.g., an alternating current (AC) motor, a direct current motor (DC), etc.) configured to convert electrical energy into mechanical energy. In other embodiments, the rotation actuator  320  is powered by air (e.g., pneumatic, etc.), a fluid (e.g., a hydraulic cylinder, etc.), mechanically (e.g., a flywheel, etc.), or still another power source. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the rotation actuator  320  includes a driver, shown as drive pinion  322 . The drive pinion  322  is mechanically coupled with the driven gear  314  of the slewing bearing  310 . In one embodiment, a plurality of teeth of the drive pinion  322  engage a plurality of teeth on the driven gear  314 . By way of example, when the rotation actuator  320  is engaged (e.g., powered, turned on, etc.), the rotation actuator  320  may provide rotational energy (e.g., mechanical energy, etc.) to an output shaft. The drive pinion  322  may be coupled to the output shaft such that the rotational energy of the output shaft drives (e.g., rotates, etc.) the drive pinion  322 . The rotational energy of the drive pinion  322  may be transferred to the driven gear  314  in response to the engaging teeth of both the drive pinion  322  and the driven gear  314 . The driven gear  314  thereby rotates about the vertical pivot axis  40 , while the bearing element  312  remains in a fixed position relative to the driven gear  314 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 16-18 , the turntable  510  includes a first portion, shown as rotation base  512 , and a second portion, shown as side supports  514 , that extend vertically upward from opposing lateral sides of the rotation base  512 . According to an exemplary embodiment, (i) the work platform  550  is coupled to the side supports  514 , (ii) the aerial ladder assembly  700  is pivotally coupled to the side supports  514 , (iii) the control console  600  is coupled to the rotation base  512 , and (iv) the rotation base  512  is disposed within the aerial assembly recess  140  and interfaces with and is coupled to the driven gear  314  of slewing bearing  310  such that (i) the aerial assembly  500  is selectively pivotable about the vertical pivot axis  40  using the rotation actuator  320 , (ii) at least a portion of the work platform  550  and the aerial ladder assembly  700  is positioned below the roof of the front cabin  20 , and (iii) the turntable  510  is coupled rearward of the front cabin  20  and between the front axle  16  and the tandem rear axles  18  (e.g., the turntable  510  is coupled to the frame  12  such that the vertical pivot axis  40  is positioned rearward of a centerline of the front axle  16 , forward of a centerline of the tandem rear axle  18 , rearward of a rear edge of a tire of the front axle  16 , forward of a front edge of a wheel of the front axle of the tandem rear axles  18 , rearward of a front edge of a tire of the front axle  16 , forward of a rear edge of a wheel of the rear axle of the tandem rear axles  18 , etc.). Accordingly, loading from the work basket  1300 , the aerial ladder assembly  700 , and/or the work platform  550  may transfer through the turntable  510  into the torque box  300  and the frame  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the rear assembly  100  includes a rotation swivel, shown as rotation swivel  316 , that includes a conduit. According to an exemplary embodiment, the conduit of the rotation swivel  316  extends upward from the pedestal  308  and into the turntable  510 . The rotation swivel  316  may couple (e.g., electrically, hydraulically, fluidly, etc.) the aerial assembly  500  with other components of the fire apparatus  10 . By way of example, the conduit may define a passageway for water to flow into the aerial ladder assembly  700 . Various lines may provide electricity, hydraulic fluid, and/or water to the aerial ladder assembly  700 , actuators, and/or the control console  600 . 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the work platform  550  provides a surface upon which operators (e.g., fire fighters, rescue workers, etc.) may stand while operating the aerial assembly  500  (e.g., with the control console  600 , etc.). The control console  600  may be communicably coupled to various components of the fire apparatus  10  (e.g., actuators of the aerial ladder assembly  700 , rotation actuator  320 , water turret, etc.) such that information or signals (e.g., command signals, fluid controls, etc.) may be exchanged from the control console  600 . The information or signals may relate to one or more components of the fire apparatus  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the control console  600  enables an operator (e.g., a fire fighter, etc.) of the fire apparatus  10  to communicate with one or more components of the fire apparatus  10 . By way of example, the control console  600  may include at least one of an interactive display, a touchscreen device, one or more buttons (e.g., a stop button configured to cease water flow through a water nozzle, etc.), joysticks, switches, and voice command receivers. An operator may use a joystick associated with the control console  600  to trigger the actuation of the turntable  510  and/or the aerial ladder assembly  700  to a desired angular position (e.g., to the front, back, or side of fire apparatus  10 , etc.). By way of another example, an operator may engage a lever associated with the control console  600  to trigger the extension or retraction of the aerial ladder assembly  700 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  has a plurality of nesting ladder sections that telescope with respect to one another including a first section, shown as base section  800 ; a second section, shown as lower middle section  900 ; a third ladder section, shown as middle section  1000 ; a fourth section, shown as upper middle section  1100 ; and a fifth section, shown as fly section  1200 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the side supports  514  of the turntable  510  define a first interface, shown as ladder interface  516 , and a second interface, shown as actuator interface  518 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the base section  800  of the aerial ladder assembly  700  defines first interfaces, shown as pivot interfaces  802 , and second interfaces, shown as actuator interfaces  804 . As shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the ladder interfaces  516  of the side supports  514  of the turntable  510  and the pivot interfaces  802  of the base section  800  are positioned to align and cooperatively receive a pin, shown as heel pin  520 , to pivotally couple the proximal end  702  of the aerial ladder assembly  700  to the turntable  510 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  includes first ladder actuators (e.g., hydraulic cylinders, etc.), shown as pivot actuators  710 . Each of the pivot actuators  710  has a first end, shown as end  712 , coupled to a respective actuator interface  518  of the side supports  514  of the turntable  510  and an opposing second end, shown as end  714 , coupled to a respective actuator interface  804  of the base section  800 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the pivot actuators  710  are kept in tension such that retraction thereof lifts and rotates the distal end  704  of the aerial ladder assembly  700  about a lateral axis, shown as lateral pivot axis  42 , defined by the heel pin  520 . In other embodiments, the pivot actuators  710  are kept in compression such that extension thereof lifts and rotates the distal end  704  of the aerial ladder assembly  700  about the lateral pivot axis  42 . In an alternative embodiment, the aerial ladder assembly only includes one pivot actuator  710 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  includes one or more second ladders actuators, shown as extension actuators  720 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the extension actuators  720  are positioned to facilitate selectively reconfiguring the aerial ladder assembly  700  between an extended configuration and a retracted/stowed configuration (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 1-3, 16 , etc.). In the extended configuration (e.g., deployed position, use position, etc.), the aerial ladder assembly  700  is lengthened, and the distal end  704  is extended away from the proximal end  702 . In the retracted configuration (e.g., storage position, transport position, etc.), the aerial ladder assembly  700  is shortened, and the distal end  704  is withdrawn towards the proximal end  702 . 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 16 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  has over-retracted ladder sections such that the proximal ends of the lower middle section  900 , the middle section  1000 , the upper middle section  1100 , and the fly section  1200  extend forward of (i) the heel pin  520  and (ii) the proximal end of the base section  800  along the longitudinal axis  14  of the fire apparatus  10  when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is retracted and stowed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the distal end  704  of the aerial ladder assembly  700  (e.g., the distal end of the fly section  1200 , etc.) is extensible to the horizontal reach of at least 88 feet (e.g., 93 feet, etc.) and/or or a vertical reach of at least 95 feet (e.g., 100 feet, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the aerial ladder assembly  700  is operable below grade (e.g., at a negative depression angle relative to a horizontal, etc.) within an aerial work envelope or scrub area. In one embodiment, the aerial ladder assembly  700  is operable in the scrub area such that it may pivot about the vertical pivot axis  40  up to 50 degrees (e.g., 20 degrees forward and 30 degrees rearward from a position perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  14 , etc.) on each side of the body  110  while at a negative depression angle (e.g., up to negative 15 degrees, more than negative 15 degrees, up to negative 20 degrees, etc. below level, below a horizontal defined by the top platform  122  of the body  110 , etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the work basket  1300  is configured to hold at least one of fire fighters and persons being aided by the fire fighters. As shown in  FIGS. 3, 5 , and  10 , the work basket  1300  includes a platform, shown as basket platform  1310 ; a support, shown as railing  1320 , extending around the periphery of the basket platform  1310 ; and angled doors, shown as basket doors  1330 , coupled to the corners of the railing  1320  proximate the rear end  4  of the fire apparatus  10 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the basket doors  1330  are angled to correspond with the chamfered corners  120  of the body  110 . 
     In other embodiments, the aerial assembly  500  does not include the work basket  1300 . In some embodiments, the work basket  1300  is replaced with or additionally includes a nozzle (e.g., a deluge gun, a water cannon, a water turret, etc.) or other tool. By way of example, the nozzle may be connected to a water source (e.g., the water tank  400 , an external source, etc.) with a conduit extending along the aerial ladder assembly  700  (e.g., along the side of the aerial ladder assembly  700 , beneath the aerial ladder assembly  700 , in a channel provided in the aerial ladder assembly  700 , etc.). By pivoting the aerial ladder assembly  700  into a raised position, the nozzle may be elevated to expel water from a higher elevation to facilitate suppressing a fire. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the pump system  200  (e.g., a pump house, etc.) is a mid-ship pump assembly. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 12, 17, and 18 , the pump system  200  is positioned along the rear assembly  100  behind the front cabin  20  and forward of the vertical pivot axis  40  (e.g., forward of the turntable  510 , the torque box  300 , the pedestal  308 , the slewing bearing  310 , the heel pin  520 , a front end of the body  110 , etc.) such that the work platform  550  and the over-retracted portions of the aerial ladder assembly  700  overhang above the pump system  200  when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is retracted and stowed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the position of the pump system  200  forward of the vertical pivot axis  40  facilitates ease of install and serviceability. In other embodiments, the pump system  200  is positioned rearward of the vertical pivot axis  40 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 17-21 , the pump system  200  includes a housing, shown as pump house  202 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the pump house  202  includes a selectively openable door, shown as pump door  204 . As shown in  FIGS. 18-21 , the pump system  200  includes a pumping device, shown as pump assembly  210 , disposed within the pump house  202 . By way of example, the pump assembly  210  may include a pump panel having an inlet for the entrance of water from an external source (e.g., a fire hydrant, etc.), a pump, an outlet configured to engage a hose, various gauges, etc. The pump of the pump assembly  210  may pump fluid (e.g., water, agent, etc.) through a hose to extinguish a fire (e.g., water received at an inlet of the pump house  202 , water stored in the water tank  400 , etc.). As shown in  FIGS. 19-21 , the pump system  200  includes a selectively deployable (e.g., foldable, pivotable, collapsible, etc.) platform, shown as pump platform  220 , pivotally coupled to the pump house  202 . As shown in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the pump platform  220  is in a first configuration, shown as stowed configuration  222 , and as shown in  FIG. 19 , the pump platform  220  is in a second configuration, shown as deployed configuration  224 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10-12, 14, and 15 , the fire apparatus  10  includes a stability system, shown as stability assembly  1400 . As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 7 , the stability assembly  1400  includes first stabilizers, shown as front downriggers  1500 , coupled to each lateral side of the front bumper  22  at the front end  2  of the front cabin  20 . In other embodiments, the front downriggers  1500  are otherwise coupled to the fire apparatus  10  (e.g., to the front end  2  of the frame  12 , etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the front downriggers  1500  are selectively deployable (e.g., extendable, etc.) downward to engage a ground surface. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4-6, 10-12, 14, and 15 , the stability assembly  1400  includes second stabilizers, shown as rear downriggers  1600 , coupled to each lateral side of the rear end  4  of the frame  12  and/or the rear end  306  of the torque box  300 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the rear downriggers  1600  are selectively deployable (e.g., extendable, etc.) downward to engage a ground surface. As shown in  FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17 , and  18 , the stability assembly  1400  includes third stabilizers, shown outriggers  1700 , coupled to the front end  304  of the torque box  300  between the pedestal  308  and the body  302 . As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the outriggers  1700  are selectively deployable (e.g., extendable, etc.) outward from each of the lateral sides of the body  110  and/or downward to engage a ground surface. According to an exemplary embodiment, the outriggers  1700  are extendable up to a distance of eighteen feet (e.g., measured between the center of a pad of a first outrigger and the center of a pad of a second outrigger, etc.). In other embodiments, the outriggers  1700  are extendable up to a distance of less than or greater than eighteen feet. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the front downriggers  1500 , the rear downriggers  1600 , and the outriggers  1700  are positioned to transfer the loading from the aerial ladder assembly  700  to the ground. For example, a load applied to the aerial ladder assembly  700  (e.g., a fire fighter at the distal end  704 , a wind load, etc.) may be conveyed into to the turntable  510 , through the pedestal  308  and the torque box  300 , to the frame  12 , and into the ground through the front downriggers  1500 , the rear downriggers  1600 , and/or the outriggers  1700 . When the front downriggers  1500 , the rear downriggers  1600 , and/or the outriggers  1700  engage with a ground surface, portions of the fire apparatus  10  (e.g., the front end  2 , the rear end  4 , etc.) may be elevated relative to the ground surface. One or more of the wheel and tire assemblies  30  may remain in contact with the ground surface, but may not provide any load bearing support. While the fire apparatus  10  is being driven or not in use, the front downriggers  1500 , the rear downriggers  1600 , and the outriggers  1700  may be retracted into a stored position. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, with (i) the front downriggers  1500 , the rear downriggers  1600 , and/or the outriggers  1700  extended and (ii) the aerial ladder assembly  700  fully extended (e.g., at a horizontal reach of 88 feet, at a vertical reach of 95 feet, etc.), the fire apparatus  10  withstands a rated tip load (e.g., rated meaning that the fire apparatus  10  can, from a design-engineering perspective, withstand a greater tip load, with an associated factor of safety of at least two, meets National Fire Protection Association (“NFPA”) requirements, etc.) of at least 1,000 pounds applied to the work basket  1300 , in addition to the weight of the work basket  1300  itself (e.g., approximately 700 pounds, etc.). In embodiments where the aerial assembly  500  does not include the work basket  1300 , the fire apparatus  10  may have a rated tip load of more than 1,000 pounds (e.g., 1,250 pounds, etc.) when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is fully extended. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the tandem rear axles  18  have a gross axle weight rating of up to 48,000 pounds and the fire apparatus  10  does not exceed the 48,000 pound tandem-rear axle rating. The front axle  16  may have a 24,000 pound axle rating. Traditionally, mid-mount fire trucks have greater than a 48,000 pound loading on the tandem rear-axles thereof. However, some state regulations prevent vehicles having such a high axle loading, and, therefore, the vehicles are unable to be sold and operated in such states. Advantageously, the fire apparatus  10  of the present disclosure has a gross axle weight loading of at most 48,000 pounds on the tandem rear axles  18 , and, therefore, the fire apparatus  10  may be sold and operated in any state of the United States. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 9 , the fire apparatus  10  has a height H. According to an exemplary embodiment, the height H of the fire apparatus  10  is at most 128 inches (i.e., 10 feet, 8 inches). In other embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  has a height greater than 128 inches. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the fire apparatus  10  has a longitudinal length L. According to an exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal length L of the fire apparatus  10  is at most 502 inches (i.e., 41 feet, 10 inches). In other embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  has a length L greater than 502 inches. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the fire apparatus  10  has a distance D 1  between the rear end  4  of the body  110  and the middle of the tandem rear axles  18  (e.g., a body rear overhang portion, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the distance D 1  of the fire apparatus  10  is at most 160 inches (i.e., 13 feet, 4 inches). In other embodiments, the fire apparatus  10  has a distance D 1  greater than 160 inches. As shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the fire apparatus  10  has a distance D 2  between the front end  2  of the front cabin  20  (excluding the front bumper  22 ) and the middle of the tandem rear axles  18 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the distance D 2  of the fire apparatus  10  is approximately twice or at least twice that of the distance D 1  (e.g., approximately 321 inches, approximately 323 inches, at least 320 inches, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the longitudinal length L of the fire apparatus  10  is compared to the longitudinal length L′ of a traditional mid-mount fire apparatus  10 ′. As shown in  FIG. 8 , when the front axles of the fire apparatus  10  and the fire apparatus  10 ′ are aligned, the fire apparatus  10 ′ extends beyond the longitudinal length L of the fire apparatus  10  a distance Δ′. The distance Δ′ may be approximately the same as the amount of the body  110  rearward of the tandem rear axles  18  of the fire apparatus  10  such that the amount of body rearward of the tandem rear axle of the fire apparatus  10 ′ is approximately double that of the fire apparatus  10 . Decreasing the amount of the body  110  rearward of the tandem rear axles  18  improves drivability and maneuverability, and substantially reduces the amount of damage that fire departments may inflict on public and/or private property throughout a year of operating their fire trucks. 
     One solution to reducing the overall length of a fire truck is to configure the fire truck as a rear-mount fire truck with the ladder assembly overhanging the front cabin (e.g., in order to provide a ladder assembly with comparable extension capabilities, etc.). As shown in  FIG. 9 , the longitudinal length L of the fire apparatus  10  is compared to the longitudinal length L′ of a traditional rear-mount fire apparatus  10 ″. As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the front axles of the fire apparatus  10  and the fire apparatus  10 ″ are aligned, the ladder assembly of the fire apparatus  10 ″ extends beyond the longitudinal length L of the fire apparatus  10  a distance Δ″ such that the ladder assembly overhangs past the front cabin. Overhanging the ladder assembly reduces driver visibility, as well as rear-mount fire trucks do not provide as much freedom when arriving at a scene on where and how to position the truck, which typically requires the truck to be reversed into position to provide the desired amount of reach (e.g., which wastes valuable time, etc.). Further, the height H″ of the fire apparatus  10 ″ is required to be higher than the height H of the fire apparatus  10  (e.g., by approximately one foot, etc.) so that the ladder assembly of the fire apparatus  10 ″ can clear the front cabin thereof. 
     Aerial Configuration 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the over-retracted portions of the aerial ladder assembly  700  (e.g., the proximal ends of the lower middle section  900 , the middle section  1000 , the upper middle section  1100 , the fly section  1200 , etc.) extend forward of (i.e., past) (i) the lateral pivot axis  42  defined by the heel pin  520  and (ii) the proximal end of the base section  800  (i.e., the portion of the base section  800  that is coupled to the heel pin  520 ) along the longitudinal axis  14  of the fire apparatus  10  when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is retracted and stowed (e.g., such that at least one of the lower middle section  900 , the middle section  1000 , the upper middle section  1100 , the fly section  1200 , etc. spans across the lateral pivot axis  42  when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is retracted and stowed). Such over-retraction disposes the over-retracted portions of the aerial ladder assembly  700  to extend over the pump house  202  adjacent (i.e., rearward of) a rearmost wall of the front cabin  20 . In other embodiments, at least a portion of the over-retracted portions of the aerial ladder assembly  700  extend past and forward of the rearmost wall of the front cabin  20  (e.g., in an embodiment where the rearmost cab wall is angled, notched, etc.). As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , at least a portion of the plurality of nesting ladders sections (e.g., at least a base rail of the base section  800 , the lower middle section  900 , the middle section  1000 , the upper middle section  1100 , the fly section  1200 , etc.) of the aerial ladder assembly  700  is positioned below the top (i.e., roof) of the front cabin  20  (e.g., when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is not pivoted/raised about the lateral pivot axis  42 , etc.). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 22-25 , (i) the body  110  of the rear assembly  100  within the aerial assembly recess  140  is shaped, (ii) the pump house  202  adjacent the aerial assembly recess  140  is shaped, (iii) the water tank  400  adjacent the aerial assembly recess  140  is shaped, and/or (iv) the outriggers  1700  extend at negative depression angle γ from the body  110  to facilitate a substantial aerial work envelope of the aerial ladder assembly  700 , shown as scrub area  730 . Such component configurations facilitate operation of the aerial ladder assembly  700  at a negative depression angle below grade (e.g., below horizontal, etc.) of up to an angle θ. According to an exemplary embodiment, the angle θ 0  is approximately negative fifteen degrees. In other embodiments, the angle θ is greater than fifteen degrees (e.g., eighteen, twenty, etc. degrees) or less than fifteen degrees (e.g., ten, twelve, fourteen, etc. degrees). In some embodiments, the angle θ is at least greater than eight degrees. 
     As shown in  FIG. 22 , the body  110  of the rear assembly  100  includes first angled portions, shown as angled body panels  144 , extending at a negative, downward angle within the aerial assembly recess  140 . The pump house  202  of the pump system  200  includes second angled portions, shown as angled pump house panels  206 , extending at a negative, downward angle within the aerial assembly recess  140 . As shown in  FIGS. 22 and 24 , the water tank  400  has a wall, shown as frontmost wall  402 , adjacent the aerial assembly recess  140 . The frontmost wall  402  includes a pair of third angled portions, shown as angled wall portions  406 , extending from a wall portion perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  14 , shown as perpendicular wall portion  404 , at a rearward angle (e.g., towards the rear end  4  of the fire apparatus  10 , etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the angle γ of the outriggers  1700  is approximately in the range of negative eight to negative twelve degrees relative to a horizontal axis. In other embodiments, the angle γ is greater than twelve degrees (e.g., fifteen degrees, etc.) or less than eight degrees (e.g., five degrees, zero degrees, etc.). 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the angled body panels  144  of the body  110 , the angled pump house panels  206  of the pump house  202 , the angled wall portions  406  of the water tank  400 , and/or the angle γ of the outriggers  1700  facilitate operating the aerial ladder assembly within the scrub area  730  up to the angle θ. As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  is operable within the scrub area  730  below grade (e.g., at any angle below zero degrees up to angle θ, etc.) about the vertical pivot axis  40  up to (i) an angle α forward of the aerial ladder assembly  700  being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  14  and (ii) an angle β rearward of the aerial ladder assembly  700  being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis  14 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the angle a is approximately twenty degrees. In other embodiments, the angle α is greater than twenty degrees (e.g., twenty-two, twenty-five, thirty, etc. degrees) or less than twenty degrees (e.g., ten, fifteen, eighteen, etc. degrees). According to an exemplary embodiment, the angle β is approximately thirty degrees. In other embodiments, the angle β is greater than thirty degrees (e.g., thirty-two, thirty-five, etc. degrees) or less than thirty degrees (e.g., fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, etc. degrees). The scrub area  730  may therefore have a total sweep angle (e.g., the aggregate of the angle a and the angle β, etc.) of approximately fifty degrees. In other embodiments, the sweep angle of the scrub area  730  is at least more than fifteen degrees. In still other embodiments, the sweep angle of the scrub area  730  is at least more than thirty degrees. 
     As shown in  FIG. 25 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  is oriented to extend perpendicularly from the body  110  of the rear assembly  100  (e.g., the aerial ladder assembly  700  is perpendicular relative to the longitudinal axis  14 , etc.) and is positioned below grade at the angle θ (e.g., negative fifteen degrees, etc.). When configured in such a position, the aerial ladder assembly  700  extends from the side of the body  110  a distance D 3 , and the basket platform  1310  of the work basket  1300  is positioned at a height h above a ground surface while none of the plurality of nesting ladder sections (e.g., the lower middle section  900 , the middle section  1000 , the upper middle section  1100 , the fly section  1200 , etc.) are extended (e.g., the lower middle section  900 , the middle section  1000 , the upper middle section  1100 , and the fly section  1200  are over-retracted relative to the base section  800  and the heel pin  520 , etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, being able to operate at the angle θ and the over-retracting configuration of the plurality of nesting ladder sections of the aerial ladder assembly  700  facilitate accessing the work basket  1300  from the ground surface without requiring the extension of the aerial ladder assembly  700 . The height h of the basket platform  1310  is at most 20.3 inches, according to an exemplary embodiment (e.g., meeting the maximum step height limit as set by NFPA regulations, without requiring extension of the aerial ladder assembly  700 , etc.). In some embodiments, the height h is less than 20.3 inches (e.g., in embodiments where the stability assembly  1400  of the fire apparatus  10  has a leaning capability, etc.). According to an exemplary embodiment, the distance D 3  is approximately 19.5 feet. In other embodiments, the distance D 3  is greater than 19.5 feet (e.g., 20 feet, 22 feet, in embodiments with a longer aerial ladder assembly  700 , etc.) or less than 19.5 feet (e.g., 19 feet, 18.5 feet, etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  is pivotable about the lateral pivot axis  42  to reposition the aerial ladder assembly  700  at a plurality of different positions including a horizontal position, shown as horizontal set-back configuration  740 , a below grade position, shown as blitz configuration  742 , and a plurality of above grade positions, shown as raised configurations  744 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is arranged in the horizontal set-back configuration  740  and the longitudinal axis  14  of the fire apparatus  10  is positioned parallel or substantially parallel with a fire scene (e.g., a house, a building, an apartment, etc.), the aerial ladder assembly  700  extends from the side of the body  110  a set-back distance D 4 . According to an exemplary embodiment, the set-back distance D 4  is approximately twenty feet. In other embodiments, the set-back distance D 4  is greater than twenty feet (e.g., twenty-seven feet, in an embodiment where the aerial ladder assembly  700  includes a side-mounted e-trac versus a rung-mounted e-trac, etc.) or less than twenty feet (e.g., in embodiments where the fire apparatus  10  includes a shorter aerial ladder assembly  700 , in embodiments where the aerial ladder assembly  700  does not include the work basket  1300 , etc.; fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen, etc. feet). 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is arranged in the blitz configuration  742 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  is oriented at a negative depression angle (e.g., up to the angle θ, etc.) such that the work basket  1300  is positioned substantially close to the ground surface and adjacent the fire scene (e.g., the first level of a building, a store front, etc.). In the blitz configuration  742 , the work basket  1300  may be extended from the rear assembly  100  by pivoting the aerial ladder assembly  700  about the vertical pivot axis  40  toward the fire scene and then pivoting aerial ladder assembly  700  about the lateral pivot axis  42  such that the work basket  1300  clears any obstacles  750  (e.g., cars, etc.) positioned in front of the fire scene. A turret, shown as water turret  1340 , that is coupled to the work basket  1300  may be manipulated (e.g., using a user input device of the fire apparatus  10 , the control console  600 , etc.) to expel water or another fire surprising agent from the water tank  400  or other source (e.g., a fire hydrant, an agent tank, etc.) into the first level of the fire scene upward at the ceiling thereof to expel a fire therein (e.g., to prevent a fire from spreading to the upper levels of the building, etc.). In other embodiments, the water turret  1340  is otherwise positioned (e.g., coupled to the distal end of the fly section  1200 , in embodiments where the aerial ladder assembly  700  does not include the work basket  1300 , etc.). 
     As shown in  FIG. 26 , when the aerial ladder assembly  700  is arranged in the raised configurations  744 , the aerial ladder assembly  700  is oriented at a positive angle such that the work basket  1300  is positioned above the fire apparatus  10 . To extend further in the vertical direction, the plurality of nesting sections of the aerial ladder assembly  700  may begin to be extended. In order to un-bed the aerial ladder assembly  700  (e.g., pivot the aerial ladder assembly  700  upward, etc.), the over-retracted portions of the aerial ladder assembly  700  may need to be extended past the heel pin  520 . Such may require that the fire apparatus  10  be set back a distance slightly further than the set-back distance D 4  (e.g., twenty-four feet, etc.). 
     According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 27 , a control system, shown as fire apparatus control system  2000 , for the fire apparatus  10  includes a controller  2010 . In one embodiment, the controller  2010  is configured to selectively engage, selectively disengage, control, and/or otherwise communicate with components of the fire apparatus  10 . As shown in  FIG. 27 , the controller  2010  is coupled to the rotation actuator  320 , the pivot actuator(s)  710 , the extension actuator(s)  720 , the water turret  1340 , basket actuator(s)  1350  positioned to manipulate the work basket  1300  (e.g., a rotation actuator, a pivot actuator, a lift actuator, an extension actuator, etc.) relative to the distal end of the fly section  1200  of the aerial ladder assembly  700 , and a user input/output (“I/O”) device  2020 . In other embodiments, the controller  2010  is coupled to more or fewer components (e.g., the stability assembly  1400 , etc.). By way of example, the controller  2010  may send and/or receive signals with the rotation actuator  320 , the pivot actuator(s)  710 , the extension actuator(s)  720 , the water turret  1340 , the basket actuator(s)  1350 , and/or the user I/O device  2020 . 
     The controller  2010  may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital-signal-processor (DSP), circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. According to the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 27 , the controller  2010  includes a processing circuit  2012  and a memory  2014 . The processing circuit  2012  may include an ASIC, one or more FPGAs, a DSP, circuits containing one or more processing components, circuitry for supporting a microprocessor, a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. In some embodiments, the processing circuit  2012  is configured to execute computer code stored in the memory  2014  to facilitate the activities described herein. The memory  2014  may be any volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage medium capable of storing data or computer code relating to the activities described herein. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory  2014  includes computer code modules (e.g., executable code, object code, source code, script code, machine code, etc.) configured for execution by the processing circuit  2012 . In some embodiments, controller  2010  represents a collection of processing devices (e.g., servers, data centers, etc.). In such cases, the processing circuit  2012  represents the collective processors of the devices, and the memory  2014  represents the collective storage devices of the devices. 
     In one embodiment, the user I/O device  2020  includes a display and an operator input. The display may be configured to display a graphical user interface, an image, an icon, and/or still other information. In one embodiment, the display includes a graphical user interface configured to provide general information about the fire apparatus  10  (e.g., vehicle speed, fuel level, warning lights, battery level, etc.). The graphical user interface may also be configured to display a current position of the aerial ladder assembly  700 , a current position of the work basket  1300 , a current position of the turntable  510 , an orientation of the fire apparatus  10  (e.g., an angle relative to a ground surface, etc.), and/or still other information relating to the fire apparatus  10  and/or the aerial assembly  500 . The user I/O device  2020  may be or include the control console  600 , a user interface within the front cabin  20 , a user interface in the work basket  1300 , a user interface on the side of the body  110 , and/or a portable device wirelessly connected to the controller  2010  (e.g., a mobile device, a smartphone, a tablet, etc.). 
     The operator input may be used by an operator to provide commands to at least one of the rotation actuator  320 , the pivot actuator(s)  710 , the extension actuator(s)  720 , the water turret  1340 , and the basket actuator(s)  1350 . The operator input may include one or more buttons, knobs, touchscreens, switches, levers, joysticks, pedals, a steering wheel, or handles. The operator input may facilitate manual control of some or all aspects of the operation of the fire apparatus  10 . It should be understood that any type of display or input controls may be implemented with the systems and methods described herein. 
     According to an exemplary embodiment, the controller  2010  is configured to limit or prevent activation of the pivot actuators  710  while the proximal ends of the plurality of nesting ladder sections of the aerial ladder assembly  700  are over-retracted beyond the heel pin  520 . By way of example, the controller  2010  may be configured to automatically extend the plurality of nesting ladder sections forward until the proximal ends of each extends along the base section  800  beyond the heel pin  520  (e.g., in response to a lift command while the ladder sections are over-retracted), and then begin pivoting the aerial ladder assembly about the lateral pivot axis  42  and/or continue extending the plurality of nesting ladder sections (e.g., if an extension command is being provided by an operator using the user I/O device  2020 , to limit or prevent the over-retracted portions from pivoting into the work platform  550 , etc.). 
     As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially”, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims. 
     It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic. 
     The term “or,” as used herein, is used in its inclusive sense (and not in its exclusive sense) so that when used to connect a list of elements, the term “or” means one, some, or all of the elements in the list. Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is understood to convey that an element may be either X; Y; Z; X and Y; X and Z; Y and Z; or X, Y, and Z (i.e., any combination of X, Y, and Z). Thus, such conjunctive language is not generally intended to imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z to each be present, unless otherwise indicated. 
     References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure. 
     The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single- or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein. 
     The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions. 
     Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the fire apparatus  10  and the systems and components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein. Although only one example of an element from one embodiment that can be incorporated or utilized in another embodiment has been described above, it should be appreciated that other elements of the various embodiments may be incorporated or utilized with any of the other embodiments disclosed herein.