City of Rialto
Aerial Apparatus Decision Matrix
Tractor Drawn Aerial (TDA) vs. Platform Aerial
This decision matrix evaluates aerial apparatus options based on the City of Rialto’s operational environment, including:
Dense commercial corridors (Foothill Blvd., Riverside Ave., Baseline Rd.) Older residential neighborhoods with limited access and tight street design Industrial and target hazards (tank farms, rail infrastructure, logistics centers) Multi-story apartment complexes and mixed-use occupancies Current staffing model of 3–4 personnel per truck company Regional mutual aid expectations with neighboring agencies Scoring Methodology
Weight (1–5): Importance of each category relative to Rialto’s risk profile Score (1–5): Apparatus performance in that category
Weighted Score: Weight × Score
Decision Matrix
Priority Category Weight TDA
Score
TDA
Weighted
Platform
Score
Platform
Weighted
Maneuverability in tight neighborhoods &
older streets 5 5 25 2 10
Rescue capability (multistory apartments,
victim removal) 4 3 12 5 20
Elevated master stream & foam operations
(industrial corridors) 4 3 12 5 20
Horizontal reach (rail yards, logistics
centers) 4 5 20 4 16
Storage capacity (RIC, truck company
tools, saws) 5 5 25 3 15
Priority Category Weight TDA
Score
TDA
Weighted
Platform
Score
Platform
Weighted
Training complexity (tiller operator
requirement) 3 2 6 4 12
Staffing flexibility (3–4 personnel truck
companies) 4 2 8 4 16
Industrial / specialized operations support 4 3 12 5 20 Cost & lifecycle considerations 3 3 9 3 9
Department culture & operator skill 5 4 20 3 15
Total Scores
TDA Total: 149
Platform Total: 153
Difference: Platform scores higher by 4 points
Analysis of Results
The matrix reflects a close and balanced evaluation, with the platform aerial scoring slightly higher due to:
Enhanced victim removal capability
Superior elevated master stream and foam operations
Greater alignment with generalized staffing flexibility However, these advantages must be considered within the context of Rialto’s actual and recurring operational demands.
Key Operational Considerations
1. Maneuverability (Critical Priority)
The TDA significantly outperforms the platform in:
Tight residential neighborhoods
Apartment complexes with restricted access
Cul-de-sacs and legacy street design
Industrial sites with limited turning radius
This is a high-weight category (5) and represents a core operational need in Rialto.
2. Truck Company Functionality
The TDA provides superior capability in:
Equipment storage and full-service truck operations
Horizontal reach for large commercial and industrial buildings Roof access and ventilation operations
These functions align with the most frequent aerial assignments within the city.
3. Department Standardization & Training
Rialto currently operates a Tractor Drawn Aerial staffed with four personnel Personnel are already trained and tiller-certified
Existing operational model is proven and effective
Transitioning to a platform would:
Require new training programs
Introduce a second aerial operational model
Reduce standardization across the fleet
4. Systemwide vs. Single-Use Benefit
While the platform scores higher in rescue and elevated stream categories, those benefits are:
Scenario-specific
Less frequent compared to routine truck company operations Not reflective of the majority of incidents in Rialto
Conclusion
Although the platform aerial slightly outperforms the TDA in total scoring, the difference is minimal (4 points) and driven primarily by specialized or less frequent operational scenarios.
The Tractor Drawn Aerial remains the preferred apparatus for the City of Rialto based on:
Superior maneuverability in the city’s built environment Greater alignment with day-to-day truck company operations Existing staffing model and trained personnel
Departmental standardization and operational consistency Proven effectiveness within the current fleet
Final Determination
The Tractor Drawn Aerial provides the greatest overall operational benefit to the City of Rialto when considering real-world response demands, access limitations, and long-term fleet strategy.