Driver/Operator Continuing
Education and Training
Safe Driving Practices
FDNY Fire Truck Crashes into
Passenger Car at Traffic Light
Career Captain/Safety Officer Dies
in a Single Motor Vehicle Crash
While Responding To a Call Kansas
Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies
and Two are Injured in
Engine Rollover - Alabama
Fire Engine Involved in Accident in
Eastern Mecklenburg County, North
Carolina
Accidents Happen
Don’t Be A Statistic
National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration
• NHTSA has reported that 43,005
people died in motor vehicle crashes
in 2002 and that motor vehicle traffic
crashes were the 8th-leading cause
of death among all ages that year.But
broken down by age, crashes were
the No. 1 cause of death for every
age from 3 through 33.
United States Fire
Administration
• Every year 25% of firefighter fatalities are
due to vehicle crashes
• Last 10 years – more than 225 firefighters
have been killed as a result of vehicle crashes
• In 2000 there were 18 firefighter fatalities –
– Struck by vehicles while operating on roadways
• Including fire apparatus
Emergency Services Vehicle
Accident Profiles - 2003
• Thirty-six firefighters died while
responding to or returning from
emergency incidents in 2003.
• Vehicle crashes claimed 24 lives, eight
firefighters suffered heart attacks, two
firefighters were struck by vehicles, and
two firefighters died in falls while
responding.
More 2003 Stats
• Six firefighters died in 2003 as they
responded to emergencies in their personal
vehicles. The deceased firefighter was not
wearing a seatbelt in four of the five cases
where the status of seatbelt usage was
known. Two of the firefighters killed in
personally owned vehicle (POV) crashes were
under 20 years of age, two were in their 20’s,
and two were age 30 or older.
2003 Fatality Statistics
2003 Firefighter Fatalities
Type of Duty
Number of Fatalities
Responding and Returning
36
Fireground Operations
31
Other On-Duty
20
Training
12
Non-fire Emergencies
10
After an Incident
2
Total
111
Responding To and Returning
From Incidents
Year
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
Number of Fatalities
36
13
23
19
26
14
21
22
We Can Change These
Statistics
All it takes is Good Sense
aka
Common Sense
Today’s Purpose
• Want to add to our existing
Driver/Operator training programs
• Raise Awareness of the impact an
apparatus accident will have on us
• Discuss a few case studies and their
“Far Reaching” impact on the fire
service
• Discuss the “Rules of the Road”
What Does It Cost?
Employer Insurance
Costs
Employee Medical Bills
Employee Lost Wages
Apparatus Repair or
Replacement
Lost Resources
Today’s Purpose - Ultimately!
Make Us All Better
Driver/Operators
Agenda
• Outline and Discuss pertinent State Laws
• Outline and Discuss pertinent EFD-SOP’s
• Review a few cases of apparatus accidents
and their effects on the drivers, firefighters,
department, and the fire service
• Discuss the Driver/Operator’s role in incident
response and returning to the station
Emergency Vehicle Condition
Checks
•
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•
•
•
•
Top to Bottom and Left to Right
Engine Compartment
In the Cab
With Engine Started
Air Brakes
Exterior Check
Equipment
Vehicle Condition - Minimum
• Driving Lights
– Brake, Head, Tail, and Turn Signals
•
•
•
•
Brakes
Horn
Tires
Windshield
Seat Belt Law
• The New Jersey seat belt law requires
all front-seat occupants of passenger
vehicles operated in New Jersey to wear
a seat belt system. The driver is
responsible for enforcing the seat belt
law for passengers under 18-years-old.
Front-seat passengers older than 18 are
responsible for themselves.
Seat Belts Help in a
Number of Ways:
• They keep passengers from being
thrown from a car in a collision.
• They prevent passengers from hitting
the dashboard or windshield during
severe breaking or a collision.
• They keep passengers from sliding on
the seat during sudden stops and turns.
The driver was ejected from
the tanker
Safe Operations of
Emergency Vehicles
• USFA Recommendations
– Use Your Seatbelt
– Ride Inside
– Train Drivers
– Restrict Vehicle Speed
– Restrict Alcohol Use
Steering the Vehicle
In normal driving, hands should be kept at 9 and 3
o’clock.
Blind Spots
Speed Control
Stopping Distances
• Start slowly, gradually increasing speed
until safely within the legal speed limit
and flow of traffic.
• There is no absolute formula to judge
stopping distance. It depends on
numerous factors
From EFD Driver/Operator
Training Manual -Engine
• Four Different Stopping Factors
1. Perception Distance
– This is the distance your vehicle travels
from the time your eyes see a hazard, until
your brain recognizes it. The perception
time of the average alert driver is about
3/4 of a second. At 55 mph your vehicle
will travel approximately 60 feet
From EFD Driver/Operator
Training Manual -Engine
2. Reaction Distance
– The distance traveled from the time your
brain tells your foot to move from the
accelerator, until your foot is actually
pushing on the brake pedal. The average
alert driver has a reaction time of about
3/4 of a second. This accounts for an
additional 60 feet when traveling at 55
mph
From EFD Driver/Operator
Training Manual -Engine
3. Brake Lag Distance
– When accounting for the actions of the air brake
system, at 55 mph add an additional 32 feet.
4. Effective Braking Distance
– The distance it takes to stop once the brakes have
been applied. At 55 mph on dry pavement, with
good brakes, it can take a heavy vehicle about
170 feet to stop. The time it takes is about 4 1/2
seconds.
From EFD Driver/Operator
Training Manual -Engine
• Stopping Distance Formula
Perception Distance
+Reaction Distance
+Brake Lag Distance
+Effective Braking Distance
Total Stopping Distance
3/4 Sec
60 Feet
+3/4 Sec + 60 Feet
+1/2 Sec + 32 Feet
+4 1/2 Sec +170 Feet
=6 3/4 Sec or 322 Feet
Stopping Distances
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Individual Reaction Time
Weather and Road Conditions
Vehicle Weight
Brake Conditions
Condition and Type of Tires
Roadway Conditions
Speed
Proper Braking
• The use of brakes may seem simple, but it is
not. A driver should always know what type
of braking system a vehicle uses. It could be
a conventional drum and disc system, or an
anti-lock system (ABS).
• Apply gentle pressure to the brake pedal to
bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.
Speed Control
• Exceeding the speed limit is a common cause
of fatal and other types of accidents. Always
obey the speed limit. Speed affects almost
everything that can happen while driving. A
good rule is to keep up with the flow of traffic
at any legal speed. In order to make safe or
emergency stops when necessary, it is
important to keep enough distance from
surrounding traffic
New Jersey Speed Limits
Notable Items From NJ
Driver’s Education Program
•
•
•
•
•
Pass Only When Safe
Keep to the Right
Yielding the Right-of-Way
Controlled Intersections
Uncontrolled Intersections
Turning Regulations - Right
• Right Turns
• Right Turn
on Red
Turning Regulations - Left
Stopping Regulations
• Never attempt to beat a traffic light change.
Even if the light is changing to green,
exercise caution. There may be one or more
vehicles driving through the intersection.
• Accidents at traffic signals often happen
shortly after the signal has changed.
• When a yellow light follows a green light,
prepare to stop. Only continue through an
intersection where the light is changing from
green to yellow if already in the intersection.
When a Motorist Must Stop
• At an Intersection With a Stop Sign
• At an Intersection With a Red Light, Flashing or
Otherwise
• When a Traffic Officer Orders the Motorist to Stop
• When There Is a Yield Sign and Traffic Does Not
Permit a Safe Merge
• When a School Bus Is Picking up or Letting off
Children And/or Red Lights Are Flashing
• When Coming From an Alley, Private Driveway or
Building
• For a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk or at an Intersection
Stopping for School Buses
NJ Street/Road Signs
NJ Street/Road Signs
EFD SOP’s for
Driver/Operators
SOP 105.14
SOP 105.03
SOP 103.09
SOP 105.18
SOP 105.01
SOP 103.06
SOP 103.07
SOP 105.09
SOP 105.15
SOP 105.16
SOP 105.02
SOP 105.19
SOP 105.07
SOP 103.20
SOP 105.05
SOP 103.11
Engine Company Functions
Response Modes
Emergency Response w/Department Vehicles
Immediate Response Levels
Minimum Response Levels
Emergency Response Levels
Vehicle Backing Procedures
Engine Company Responses
Natural Gas Emergencies
EMS Engine Operations
Medivac Helicopter Landing Procedures
Hazardous Materials Incidents
Water Shuttle Operations
Highway Safety
Fire Department Radio Operations
Accident Procedures
SOP 105.03 Response Modes
• Types Of Responses By Department
Vehicles
– Emergency Response
– Reduced Speed Response
– Use Caution While Responding
– Response Recalled
Emergency Response
• All apparatus emergency lamps are in the on
position. Apparatus audible warning devices
utilized as needed to alert traffic of the
vehicle's approach. All personnel utilizing full
protective gear. Vehicle to accept the
right of way from motorists, when it is
yielding.
• During emergency responses, the speed of
the vehicle shall be kept at a reasonable
and lawful rate. Such conditions as
weather, traffic congestion, and urgency of
the call shall be evaluated while the
apparatus is responding
Reduced Speed Response
• No apparatus emergency lamps are
utilized. No audible warning devices
are utilized.
• Vehicle will obey all ordinary rules and
laws regarding the operation of large
vehicles and are not to seek other
motorists right of way.
SOP 103.09 Emergency Response
w/Department Vehicles
• Regulated Intersections
– When responding to an emergency, fire
department vehicles approaching any
regulated intersection in which they have
the stop signal or stop sign, the
department vehicle will come to a complete
stop. Once all traffic has yielded, or the
signal has changed to provide the
apparatus with a right of way, the unit may
proceed through the intersection
SOP 103.09 Emergency Response
w/Department Vehicles
• Opposing Traffic While Responding To
An Emergency
– At any time that an emergency unit must
enter an opposing lane of traffic, such an
option will be first carefully considered and
an order to do so will be given by the
officer of the unit.
SOP 103.09 Emergency Response
w/Department Vehicles
• Maximum Speed Of Emergency
Responding Vehicles
– The maximum for any fire department
emergency response shall be that of the
lawfully posted speed limit.
SOP 103.09 Emergency Response
w/Department Vehicles
• Distance To Be Maintained Between Fire Units
– While responding at emergency modes, fire
department units will maintain a minimum
distance of 150 feet
• Proceeding On To An Emergency Scene
– As apparatus approach the scene, the operator
will sufficiently reduce the speed of the vehicle so
as to be capable of bringing the vehicle to an
immediate stop upon command of the unit officer
SOP 103.07 – Vehicle Backing
Procedures
• The backing of department vehicles
shall be avoided if at all practical
• Where backing of the apparatus is
unavoidable, a spotter shall be utilized
– The spotter shall be located at the front
right corner of the apparatus and continue
to maintain a position which is visible to
the operator
SOP 103.07 – Vehicle Backing
Procedures
• No vehicle shall be backed until the spotter(s)
communicate the approval to the operator
• At any time that the operator looses sight of
the spotter, the vehicle shall immediately stop
until the spotter is again located by the
operator, and the communication to continue
has been given
SOP 103.11 Accident
Procedures
• The following information will be
transmitted to the central
communications dispatcher, A.S.A.P.:
1. Unit involved notice
2. Location of accident
3. Whether the unit was responding to or from
an assignment
4. Injuries to firefighters or civilians
5. If possible, determine if major or minor
accident
MINOR ACCIDENT
PROCEDURE
• When responding to an emergency, if an
accident occurs that is minor and the vehicle
is still operable, the driver shall summon the
assistance of the police department in
addition to the required preliminary report
• The apparatus will leave the scene ONLY if
the police officer indicates an affirmative
response to the request
MAJOR ACCIDENT
PROCEDURE
• Accidents should be considered major
when:
1. There are injuries requiring the services of a
doctor or hospitalization
2. When any of the involved vehicles cannot
proceed
3. When there are more than two vehicles
involved
4. Where extensive property damage has
occurred
MAJOR ACCIDENT
PROCEDURE
• Stabilization Of The Accident Scene
– Officers and members initial obligation is to
prevent the incident from increasing in magnitude,
while continuing to act with the highest possible
level of safety to the crew and civilians involved
• Medical assistance should be also sought as
soon as possible, for crew or civilians.
– The appropriate E.M.S. should be requested from
the dispatcher as soon as it is determined.
MAJOR ACCIDENT
PROCEDURE
•
If it becomes imperative to move apparatus
or other vehicles then the officer in charge
should attempt to take the following
measures:
1. The location of the tires of all involved vehicles shall be
marked with “T” shaped mark indicating:
a) The outside edge of each tire, and
b) The center line of the axle of each wheel
2. If a trailer or other large vehicle is involved also mark
the four corners of the vehicle.
•
Marks shall be made with a lumber, crayon,
chalk, or any other means at hand
SOP 103.11 Accident
Procedures
• Notifications By The Officer In Charge
1.
2.
3.
4.
Chief of the department
Deputy Chief or SCO of that station
Safety Officer of that apparatus
Police Department, if the accident of a vehicle
involved a non-fire department vehicle or if
the accident occurred off department property
5. The department insurance carrier, to be made
by the department chief as soon as possible
SOP 103.20 Highway Safety
•
The following critical personnel safety issues
need to be considered on all roadway
operations.
1. Never trust approaching traffic
2. Avoid turning your back to approaching traffic
3. Establish an initial “block” with the first arriving
emergency vehicle or fire apparatus
4. Always wear reflective vests, turnout coat or parka.
5. Turn off all sources of vision impairment to approaching
motorists at nighttime incidents including vehicle
headlights and spotlights.
6. Ensure advance warning and adequate transition area
traffic control measures upstream of incident to reduce
travel speeds of approaching motorists
SOP 103.20 Highway Safety
•
The following critical issues need to be
considered on roadway incidents.
1. Always position first arriving apparatus to protect the
scene, patients, and emergency personnel
2. Initial fire apparatus placement should provide a work
area protected from traffic approaching in at least one
direction
3. Angle apparatus on the roadway with a “block to the
left” or a “block to the right” to create a physical barrier
between the crash scene and approaching traffic
4. Allow apparatus placement to slow approaching
motorists and redirect them around the scene
SOP 103.20 Highway Safety
1. When practical, position apparatus in such a manner to
protect the pump operator position from being exposed
to approaching traffic
2. Positioning of large apparatus must create a safe
parking area for EMS units and other fire vehicles.
Operating personnel, equipment and patients should be
kept within the “shadow” created by the blocking
apparatus at all times
3. When blocking with apparatus to protect the
emergency scene, establish a sufficient size work zone
that includes all damaged vehicles, roadway debris, the
patient triage and treatment area, the extrication work
area, personnel and tool staging area and the
ambulance loading zone
SOP 103.20 Highway Safety
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ambulances should be positioned within the protected
work area with their rear patient loading door area angled
away from the nearest lanes of moving traffic
Command shall stage unneeded emergency vehicles off
the roadway or return these units to service as quickly as
possible
At all intersections, or where the incident may be near the
middle lane of the roadway, two or more sides of the
incident will need to be protected
Warning provided for approaching motorists. Traffic cones
shall be deployed at 15 foot intervals upstream of the
blocking apparatus with the furthest traffic cone
approximately 75 feet upstream to allow adequate
advance warning to drivers
SOP 103.20 Highway Safety
1. Police vehicles must be strategically positioned
to expand the initial safe work zone for traffic
approaching from opposing directions. The goal
is to effectively block all exposed sides of the
work zone. The blocking of the work zone by
police must be prioritized, from the most critical
or highest traffic volume flow to the least critical
traffic direction
2. Traffic cones shall be deployed from the rear of
the blocking emergency vehicles toward
approaching traffic to increase the advance
warning area
Case Studies
• February 16, 2005 – FDNY Fire Truck Crashes into Passenger
Car at Traffic Light
• March 20, 2002 - Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies After Being Struck
by Motor Vehicle on Interstate Highway
• April 7, 2002 - Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies and Two are Injured
in Engine Rollover
• July 28, 2003 - One Volunteer Lieutenant Dies and a Volunteer
Fire Fighter is Seriously Injured in a Motor Vehicle Rollover
Incident While En-route to a Trailer Fire
• November 17, 2003 - Career Captain/Safety Officer Dies in a
Single Motor Vehicle Crash While Responding To a Call
FDNY Fire Truck Crashes into
Passenger Car at Traffic Light
Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies After Being
Struck by Motor Vehicle on Interstate
Highway
Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies and Two
are Injured in Engine Rollover
•One Volunteer Lieutenant Dies and a Volunteer Fire
Fighter is Seriously Injured in a Motor Vehicle
Rollover Incident While En-route to a Trailer Fire
Career Captain/Safety Officer Dies in
a Single Motor Vehicle Crash While
Responding To a Call
Driver/Operator
Role/Responsibility
1. Negligence and the Emergency Vehicle
Operator
2. Driving with Due Regard
3. http://www.respondersafety.com/news/
4. Apparatus Operational Considerations –
John Mittendorf
Let’s Be Careful Out There!
After all, you can’t do
anything here if you don’t get
there
Have A Great Night!
Stay Safe!
Remember!
Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility
Hammer ##???????
IC
Redneck Maintenance
101??????
Good-Bye!