scene safety – apparatus positioning at roadway incidents procedure: –4.1 safety premises 4.1.1...

Scene Safety – Scene Safety – Apparatus Apparatus Positioning at Roadway Positioning at Roadway IncidentsIncidents

Procedure:Procedure:– 4.1 Safety Premises4.1 Safety Premises

4.1.1 Emergency 4.1.1 Emergency personnel are at great risk personnel are at great risk while operating in or while operating in or around moving traffic; around moving traffic; therefore, certain axioms therefore, certain axioms must be practiced to must be practiced to protect ourselves and other protect ourselves and other personnel because personnel because vehicular traffic is vehicular traffic is unpredictable:unpredictable:– Engage in proper Engage in proper

protective parking.protective parking.– Wear high visibility Wear high visibility

reflective vests.reflective vests.– Reduce motorist vision Reduce motorist vision

impairment.impairment.– Use traffic cones/flares.Use traffic cones/flares.– Establish adequate on Establish adequate on

scene communications.scene communications.


4.2 Approach and Arrival4.2 Approach and Arrival 4.2.1 The proper spotting and placement of apparatus 4.2.1 The proper spotting and placement of apparatus

is the joint responsibility of the driver and officer. The is the joint responsibility of the driver and officer. The proper positioning of apparatus at the scene of an proper positioning of apparatus at the scene of an incident ensures other responding resources of easy incident ensures other responding resources of easy access, a safe working area, and helps to contribute to access, a safe working area, and helps to contribute to an effective overall operation. Safety of the crew is an effective overall operation. Safety of the crew is foremost while operating in emergency and non foremost while operating in emergency and non emergency situations.emergency situations.

4.2.2 Positioning (see attached figures 3 through 6).4.2.2 Positioning (see attached figures 3 through 6).

4.2.3 Standard practice should be to position 4.2.3 Standard practice should be to position apparatus in such a manner as to ensure a safe work apparatus in such a manner as to ensure a safe work area at least one lane wider than the width of the area at least one lane wider than the width of the incident (Figure 3). This may be difficult to accomplish incident (Figure 3). This may be difficult to accomplish on secondary roads; therefore, position the apparatus on secondary roads; therefore, position the apparatus in such a manner as to provide the safest work area in such a manner as to provide the safest work area possible. possible.


– 4.3 Response Vehicles4.3 Response Vehicles

4.3.1 A work zone should be established to 4.3.1 A work zone should be established to allow EMS units and rescue squads allow EMS units and rescue squads

to position/egress to position/egress in close proximity of the in close proximity of the incident. The engine incident. The engine placement should be a placement should be a reasonably safe distance from reasonably safe distance from the incident, the incident, utilizing it as a shield to block those lanes utilizing it as a shield to block those lanes necessary. The engine shall be placed at an angle necessary. The engine shall be placed at an angle to to the lanes with the pump panel the lanes with the pump panel toward the scene and toward the scene and wheels turned away from wheels turned away from the incident work zone in the incident work zone in the event of being the event of being struck. As soon as possible, the struck. As soon as possible, the engine engine driver/operator should position traffic driver/operator should position traffic cones/flares cones/flares

Emergency Vehicle Policy –Emergency Vehicle Policy – Cones/Flare UsageCones/Flare Usage

4.3.2 Cones/flares 4.3.2 Cones/flares shall be used shall be used whenever whenever emergency emergency vehicles are parked vehicles are parked on or near any on or near any road surface. road surface. Utilize the following Utilize the following chart to determine chart to determine the furthest the furthest cone/flare from the cone/flare from the incident scene. incident scene. Intermediate Intermediate distance between distance between cones/flares will be cones/flares will be based on situation, based on situation, i.e., time of day, i.e., time of day, weather, traffic weather, traffic flow, etc.flow, etc.

Posted Posted Speed Speed LimitLimit

DistanceDistance

35 MPH35 MPH 100 ft100 ft



>55 MPH>55 MPH 250 ft plus250 ft plus

ConesCones

28”

6”

4”15’


4.3.34.3.3 A four point system (Figure 2) will be A four point system (Figure 2) will be used whenever vehicles are parked in an area that used whenever vehicles are parked in an area that does not require the channeling of traffic. One cone does not require the channeling of traffic. One cone will be placed diagonally from each corner of the will be placed diagonally from each corner of the vehicle, approximately four feet. This will assist the vehicle, approximately four feet. This will assist the motorist and incoming units to identify the work zone.motorist and incoming units to identify the work zone.

4.3.44.3.4 Always position apparatus to protect Always position apparatus to protect the scene, patients, emergency personnel, and provide the scene, patients, emergency personnel, and provide a protected work area. Where possible, angle a protected work area. Where possible, angle apparatus at 45 degrees away from the curbside or apparatus at 45 degrees away from the curbside or shoulder. This will direct motorist around the scene shoulder. This will direct motorist around the scene (Figure 3-6). Apparatus positioning must also allow for (Figure 3-6). Apparatus positioning must also allow for adequate parking space for other response vehicles (if adequate parking space for other response vehicles (if dispatched), and a safe work area for emergency dispatched), and a safe work area for emergency personnel. Allow enough distance to prevent a moving personnel. Allow enough distance to prevent a moving vehicle from knocking fire apparatus into the work vehicle from knocking fire apparatus into the work area.area.


4.3.5 4.3.5 At intersections or where the At intersections or where the incident may be near the middle of the street, two or incident may be near the middle of the street, two or more sides of the incident may need to be protected. more sides of the incident may need to be protected. Block all exposed sides. Where apparatus is in Block all exposed sides. Where apparatus is in limited numbers, prioritize the blocking from the limited numbers, prioritize the blocking from the most critical to the least critical (Figure 4).most critical to the least critical (Figure 4).

4.3.6 4.3.6 If 1st Arriving Engine Company If 1st Arriving Engine Company determines a charged hose line may be needed, determines a charged hose line may be needed, angle the engine so the pump panel is “downstream” angle the engine so the pump panel is “downstream” on the opposite side of the on-coming traffic (Figure on the opposite side of the on-coming traffic (Figure 3).3).

4.3.7 4.3.7 The initial company officer must The initial company officer must asses the parking needs of later-arriving fire asses the parking needs of later-arriving fire apparatus and specifically direct the parking and apparatus and specifically direct the parking and placement (staging) of these vehicles as they arrive placement (staging) of these vehicles as they arrive to provide protective blocking of the scene. This to provide protective blocking of the scene. This officer must operate as the initial safety officer.officer must operate as the initial safety officer.


4.3.7 4.3.7 The initial company officer must The initial company officer must asses the parking needs of later-arriving fire asses the parking needs of later-arriving fire apparatus and specifically direct the parking and apparatus and specifically direct the parking and placement (staging) of these vehicles as they arrive placement (staging) of these vehicles as they arrive to provide protective blocking of the scene. This to provide protective blocking of the scene. This officer must operate as the initial safety officer.officer must operate as the initial safety officer.

4.3.8 4.3.8 Crews should exit the curb/shoulder side Crews should exit the curb/shoulder side or or non traffic side of the non traffic side of the apparatus whenever possible. apparatus whenever possible. Always look Always look before stepping out of apparatus or into traffic before stepping out of apparatus or into traffic areas. Keep an eye on traffic and walk as close to the areas. Keep an eye on traffic and walk as close to the

apparatus as possible when moving apparatus as possible when moving around apparatus around apparatus adjacent to moving adjacent to moving traffic.traffic.


4.4 Other Vehicles and Support 4.4 Other Vehicles and Support AgenciesAgencies

4.4.1 4.4.1 Once sufficient fire apparatus have “blocked” the Once sufficient fire apparatus have “blocked” the scene, park/stage unneeded vehicles off the street scene, park/stage unneeded vehicles off the street whenever possible. Bring in ambulances one or two at whenever possible. Bring in ambulances one or two at a time and park them in a safe location at the scene. a time and park them in a safe location at the scene. This may be “downstream” from other parked This may be “downstream” from other parked apparatus or the ambulance may be backed at an angle apparatus or the ambulance may be backed at an angle into a protected loading area to prevent working in or into a protected loading area to prevent working in or near passing traffic. At vehicle accidents in residential near passing traffic. At vehicle accidents in residential areas, park ambulances in driveways areas, park ambulances in driveways for safe loading. for safe loading. If driveways are inaccessible, If driveways are inaccessible, park ambulances to park ambulances to best protect patient loading areas (Figures 3-6).best protect patient loading areas (Figures 3-6).


4.4.2 At major intersections, a call for additional 4.4.2 At major intersections, a call for additional police police response may be necessary. response may be necessary. Provide specific direction Provide specific direction to the police officer to the police officer as to what your traffic control as to what your traffic control needs are (Figure needs are (Figure 4).4).

4.5 Limited Visibility 4.5 Limited Visibility ConsiderationsConsiderations

4.5.1 For nighttime operations, reduce the amount 4.5.1 For nighttime operations, reduce the amount of of white light on apparatus. This will white light on apparatus. This will reduce the blinding reduce the blinding effect to approaching effect to approaching vehicle traffic. Other emergency vehicle traffic. Other emergency lighting lighting should be reduced to yellow lights and should be reduced to yellow lights and emergency emergency flashers where possible. (Reference flashers where possible. (Reference Section 3.2.)Section 3.2.)


4.6 Interstate Operations4.6 Interstate Operations 4.6.14.6.1 The interstate can be completely shut The interstate can be completely shut

down as needed for safety in operations. The incident down as needed for safety in operations. The incident commander should integrate command with VDOT and commander should integrate command with VDOT and state police. state police.

4.6.2 For interstate emergencies, block the scene 4.6.2 For interstate emergencies, block the scene with the first-arriving non transport apparatus to with the first-arriving non transport apparatus to provide a safe work area. (See Figures 3-6.) The provide a safe work area. (See Figures 3-6.) The initial company officer or command must thoroughly initial company officer or command must thoroughly assess the need for apparatus on the interstate and assess the need for apparatus on the interstate and their specific locations. Units should be directed to their specific locations. Units should be directed to specific parking locations to protect the work area, specific parking locations to protect the work area, patients, and emergency personnel.patients, and emergency personnel.


4.6.3 Other apparatus should be parked downstream when 4.6.3 Other apparatus should be parked downstream when possible. possible. This provides a safe parking area. Staging This provides a safe parking area. Staging of ambulances off of ambulances off the interstate may be required. the interstate may be required. Ambulances should be brought Ambulances should be brought into the scene one or two at into the scene one or two at a time. A safe loading area must a time. A safe loading area must be established. be established.


4.7 Clearing Traffic Lanes4.7 Clearing Traffic Lanes

4.7.1 While the safety of emergency personnel is 4.7.1 While the safety of emergency personnel is the paramount concern for the officer-in-charge, the paramount concern for the officer-in-charge, the flow of traffic must be taken into consideration the flow of traffic must be taken into consideration at all times.at all times.

4.7.2 When operational phases (extrications, 4.7.2 When operational phases (extrications, medical care, and fire suppression) are completed, medical care, and fire suppression) are completed, apparatus should repositioned to allow traffic to apparatus should repositioned to allow traffic to flow on as many lanes as possible.flow on as many lanes as possible.


5 5 Responsibilities:Responsibilities:

5.1 First Arriving Tactical Unit Officer5.1 First Arriving Tactical Unit Officer Units are positioned according to guidelines and all Units are positioned according to guidelines and all

incoming units are made aware of apparatus incoming units are made aware of apparatus positioning requirements. This officer will also act positioning requirements. This officer will also act as the initial safety officer.as the initial safety officer.

How Proper How Proper Positioning protects Positioning protects YOU!YOU!

PositioningPositioning

Emergency Vehicle Policy –Emergency Vehicle Policy – Speed LimitSpeed Limit Purpose:Purpose:

To define speed limits for emergency response.To define speed limits for emergency response. Definition:Definition:

As normally defined.As normally defined. Background:Background:

Fire & Rescue service has had in place a policy which Fire & Rescue service has had in place a policy which limited responding apparatus to limited responding apparatus to NO MORE THAN 10 NO MORE THAN 10 MPH MPH over the posted speed limit. This procedure is over the posted speed limit. This procedure is written at this time to re-emphasize this important written at this time to re-emphasize this important safety consideration. State law allows emergency safety consideration. State law allows emergency vehicles to be exempt from certain regulations, but it vehicles to be exempt from certain regulations, but it DOES NOT relieve the operator from his responsibility DOES NOT relieve the operator from his responsibility or liability for using due regard in such operations.or liability for using due regard in such operations.

Emergency Vehicle Policy –Emergency Vehicle Policy – Speed LimitSpeed Limit Procedure:Procedure:

All personnel will observe speed limits not to exceed All personnel will observe speed limits not to exceed 10 mph above the posted limit during emergency 10 mph above the posted limit during emergency responses regardless of the vehicle being operated. responses regardless of the vehicle being operated. This is to be considered the maximum safe speed This is to be considered the maximum safe speed under ideal road conditions. When ideal conditions under ideal road conditions. When ideal conditions do not exist, the operator shall slow down their do not exist, the operator shall slow down their vehicle as needed to ensure its safe operation.vehicle as needed to ensure its safe operation.

In addition, all personnel will observe all control In addition, all personnel will observe all control devices, signs, lights, or combinations thereof. While devices, signs, lights, or combinations thereof. While you are not required to come to a complete stop, the you are not required to come to a complete stop, the vehicle must be slowed down and the intersection vehicle must be slowed down and the intersection entered in a manner which will allow the vehicle to be entered in a manner which will allow the vehicle to be stopped or controlled safely.stopped or controlled safely.

Emergency Vehicle Policy –Emergency Vehicle Policy – Speed LimitSpeed Limit Discussion:Discussion:

Remember you as the vehicle operator are Remember you as the vehicle operator are responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle to responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle to ensure the safety of the crew and the public. Your ensure the safety of the crew and the public. Your response is of no value to you or the public if you response is of no value to you or the public if you create another accident and become part of the create another accident and become part of the problem.problem.

Penalty:Penalty: Group three (3) offenseGroup three (3) offense

Proper clearing of Proper clearing of intersections is crucialintersections is crucial

Something to think Something to think about! about!

What’s wrong with this What’s wrong with this picture?picture?

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scene safety – apparatus positioning at roadway incidents procedure: –4.1 safety premises 4.1.1...

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placement of apparatus

safe work area

incident work zone

incident figure

emergency personnel

safe working area

safest work area possible

scene communications