In the early days of firefighting, there was little need for ladders at a fire to rescue people from the upper floors of buildings because there were few buildings taller than two stories.  When there was a need to reach the roof of buildings, to put out roof fires and pull of the roof shingles with hooks on the end of long poles, ladders were carried to the scene of the fire by hand.

As cities became bigger, buildings became taller and the need for fire fighting ladders grew bigger too.  From this need came the forming of "Hook and Ladder" fire companies.  The name "Hook and Ladder" has been shortened today to just "Ladder" company.  The ladder companies still use long "hooks" or "pike poles" to pull down roof shingles or other materials at a fire.