Fire Chief

The fire service takes ladders for granted — until one fails. Boyd Cole saw too many aerial ladder problems as a volunteer firefighter. Consequently, he spent his career raising industry awareness and advocating safer ladders for firefighters to climb and crawl on.

Firefighters lost a good friend this week when Boyd died in Lincoln, Calif., after a brief but tough fight with acute myelogenous leukemia. He was 75.

In the early ’60s, Boyd was a fire equipment salesman and volunteer firefighter in Rancho Cordova, Calif. Wearing both hats, he saw the need for safer ladders and standardized testing for those ladders. Boyd started National Testing in 1978 and went on to work for Underwriters Laboratories from 1981 until he retired in 1996.

During his time with UL, Cole tirelessly worked for research and standardized testing of ladders. He traveled extensively to investigate and improve ladders and aerials for the fire service. Boyd also was a popular presenter on ladder technology and testing, speaking at hundreds of seminars and workshops across North America.

I first worked with Boyd in the early ’90s through the Emergency Vehicle Technician Certification Commission and the IAFC’s Apparatus Maintenance Section. As the seasoned member of the team, the well-dressed Cole had an extraordinary way of clearing the political hurdles and getting to the point. He always had simple answers for complicated questions.

Whenever I saw Boyd at a trade show or a conference, I anticipated getting the third degree: What was I doing? What wasn’t I doing that I should be doing? Why not? Boyd held everyone accountable for improving some aspect of the fire industry.

Boyd was a doer, not a talker. He served on numerous NFPA standards committees including 1500, Fire Department Occupational Safety and Health Program; 1901, Automotive Fire Apparatus; 1904, Aerial Ladder and Elevating Platform Apparatus; 1914, Testing for Fire Department Aerial Devices; 1921, Portable Pumps; 1931, Manufacturer’s Design of Fire Department Ground Ladders; 1932, Use, Maintenance, and Service Testing of In-Service Fire Department Ground Ladders; and 1971, 1972, 1973, relating to turnout gear.

For 10 years, Boyd also chaired the committee for NFPA 1071, Emergency Vehicle Technician Professional Qualifications. He supported and recognized the work of the emergency vehicle technicians and never missed an Apparatus Maintenance Section workshop.

Boyd is survived by his high-school sweetheart and wife of 57 years, Betty, and their six children, including three firefighter sons and one Air Force police officer daughter.

Boyd Cole climbed many ladders and aerials in his career, demanding improvements to ladder technology and recognition for the guys in the shops. This week, he reached new heights.