An automatic ladder is a firefighting vehicle equipped with an automatic extendable ladder, which is used in urban fires and in rescues.[1]​ The ladder, on a rotating platform, and with a basket at the end, allows access to elevated places for rescuing people, extinguishing fires, and other tasks. It has 4 extendable supports for leveling and stabilizing the vehicle[2]​.

Before working with the ladder, the stabilization supports must be extended, since when the ladder is stretched and inclined, a lot of weight is loaded outside the vertical of the vehicle, running the risk of overturning. Hence, automatic ladders are programmed to not allow movement if the supports have not been placed, and they also have a limitation of the working field depending on the weight in the basket.[3]​.

The supports can be of 4 types: vertical (I-shaped) in low elevation escalators; oblique (in A), which protrude a certain distance from the truck; with side bars (in H), for considerable heights; and crossed (in X), which do not require lifting the chassis.[3]​.

It allows the 3 movements of extension, rotation and elevation to be carried out simultaneously, giving it a very important agility of action in rescues.[3]​.

The staircase is normally made up of 4 telescopic sections.[4]​ The last section can be articulated.[5]​ The highest escalator in the world, with 7 sections and with an elevator, reaches 68 meters.[6]​.

There are also, although in a minority, semi-automatic ladders, which are operated by a combination of manual mechanisms and automatic devices.[1]​ These ladders cannot simultaneously make the three movements of extension, rotation and elevation.[3]​.

Driving this vehicle must take into account the following conditions:[7]​.

When placing the vehicle, it is necessary to take these factors into account:[7]​.