2002 “Struck-by” LINE OF 2002 “Struck-by” LINE OF DUTY DEATHSDUTY DEATHS

Adam Weisberger Alan Frye Chief Earl Hemphill Shane Kelly Richard Cusson Chief John Moore

Temporary TrafficTemporary TrafficControl ZoneControl Zone

Section 6A.0 of the DOT

MUTCD(manual on uniform

traffic control devices)

Highway terminologyHighway terminology

Advanced Warning AreaAdvanced Warning Area

Road users are informed about the incident area they are approaching.

May be a single sign, warning light on a vehicle, cones, flares, or emergency vehicles far in advance of the incident.

Recommended Advance Recommended Advance Warning Distances per Warning Distances per

MUTCD guidelinesMUTCD guidelines Urban Street low posted

speed limit 300 Feet Urban Street-Higher speed

limit 1,050 feet Rural Road 1,500 feet Expressway/Freeway

5,140 feet

Transition areaTransition area

The section of highway where traffic is re-directed out of it’s normal driving path.

Done through channelization.

Typically done with traffic cones or vehicles.

MUTCD Taper Length CriteriaMUTCD Taper Length Criteria

Posted speed limit up to 40 mph 320 feet in total length

Posted speed of 55 mph 660 Posted speed of 65 mph 780 Posted speed 70+ mph 840+(Each warning sing, cone, or flare used in a merging taper

should be closer together than the posted speed limit; 35-ft maximum distance between cones when tapering traffic in a 35-mph zone, for example)

Activity AreaActivity Area

Most Critical area. The work space,

Traffic space, and buffer space.

All EMS and Fire activities should happen in this area.

Activity AreaActivity Area

Ambulance ParkingAmbulance Parking

Must be positioned in a protected location (activity area).

Many line-of duty deaths have occurred during patient loading, while everyone is looking into the back of the ambulance.

Termination areaTermination area

The lane or lanes of the roadway where drivers are allowed to return to their normal travel pats and resume normal speeds.

Right and LeftRight and Left

Orientation is used base upon facing in the direction of travel.

Left is to the drivers left.Right is to the drivers right.

Inside and OutsideInside and Outside

The sides of the highway when facing in the direction of travel.

Inside is the drivers left.Outside is the drivers right.

Upstream and DownstreamUpstream and Downstream

Upstream is the area of the highway approaching the incident or activity area.

Downstream is the area past the incident scene.

BlockingBlocking

Position apparatus at an angle across one or more lanes of traffic to shield the activity are.

The block should completely block the lane or shoulder obstructed by the damaged vehicle, plus one lane of traffic.

Critical Wheel AngleCritical Wheel Angle

The steering wheel is turned all the way to the left or all the way to the right: whatever is required to turn the wheels away from the protected activity area.

Taper areaTaper area

Using signs, cones, flares, or blocking vehicles to direct approaching traffic from normal traffic lanes into a fewer number of open lanes.

FlaggerFlagger

Trained in traffic-control techniquesTrained in proper use of signaling

equipment and placement of warning devices

Responsible at a scene for the specific traffic control responsibilities and manages the flow of vehicles as they travel through the incident scene

Personal Survival SkillsPersonal Survival Skills

Exit Protocols:Fire Officer Exit Protocols:Fire Officer (Operations and Command)(Operations and Command)

Park the vehicle in a block-to-the right if possible.

Check all mirrors; look at approaching traffic in both the side mirrors and the interior rearview mirror

Turn your head to look rearward over your shoulder at approaching traffic

Exit Protocols:Fire Officer Exit Protocols:Fire Officer (Operations and Command)(Operations and Command)

Open the driver’s door partially Check for approaching traffic Exit the vehicle if safe to do so Close the door Maintain a low profile alongside the vehicle, with

your eyes on the approaching traffic direction Move to a safe location on the protected side of

the vehicle

Exit Protocols:Exit Protocols: Officer and Driver/Operator Officer and Driver/Operator

Look at approaching traffic in a side mirror. Turn you head to look rearward over you shoulder at

approaching traffic. Open the door partially. Check for approaching traffic. Exit the vehicle to street if safe to do so. Close the door. Maintain a low profile alongside the apparatus, with you

eyes on approaching traffic. With your back to the apparatus, move to the front and

around to the protected side of the apparatus.

Exit Protocols:CrewExit Protocols:Crew

Look out the window at approaching traffic. Open the door partially. Check for approaching traffic Exit the vehicle if safe to do so Close the door Assure that you are in a protected-activity area All crew members in enclosed cabs must exit out

the door on the downstream side of the apparatus;no exceptions.

Moving around CornersMoving around Corners

Move along the downstream, protected side of the apparatus

Stop at the corner of vehicle, pretend there is a stop sign at every corner of the vehicle

Look rearward at approaching trafficMove to the compartment doorObtain the equipment while constantly

checking approaching traffic

Moving around CornersMoving around Corners

Close the doorMaintain a low profile alongside the vehicle

with your eyes on approaching trafficMove to a safe location on the protected

side of the vehicle

Deploying cones, flares, etcDeploying cones, flares, etc

Obtain a partner if possible to act upstream as your flagger, looking out for you and monitoring approaching traffic

Gather advanced warning cones Constantly scan for the movement and location of

approaching traffic Deploy a fluorescent pink, retro-reflective sign

upstream a distance equal to 12 times the posted speed limit

Pink retro-reflective signPink retro-reflective sign

Deploying cones, flares, etcDeploying cones, flares, etc

Deploy the 1st cone at the corner of the blocking vehicle where the least amount of buffer space exist between it and moving traffic

Deploy additional cones at appropriate intervals while moving upstream, tapering at an angle from the corner of the emergency vehicle

FlaggerFlagger

Faces TrafficStands near the shoulder, but in clear view

of upstream vehiclesAlways know your escape routeAlways wear full turn out gear, including

coat and helmut

Distance Flagger should be Distance Flagger should be upstreamupstream

35 mph 130 feet

40 mph 170 feet

55 mph 335 feet

65 mph 485 feet

Hand Signals for FlaggerHand Signals for Flagger

To stop traffic the hand is held steady with the arm extended out to the side, palm toward traffic

To signal traffic to slow down, but continue, move the arm up and down with the palm down.

To signal a lane change, the free hand should motion in the desired direction with an exaggerated arc of movement in the direction required while being held out away from the body

Mayday SignalMayday Signal

Air HornWhistle, break away neck cord