Skid Avoidance for Fire Apparatus Drivers
OUR GOAL….
To provide each apparatus operator the
psychomotor skills and mental attitudes that are
essential to becoming the most competent,
skillful and responsible driver possible. We
expect to reduce Oregon’s statistical numbers in
the national list of accidents and injuries. In the
10 years preceding the program, experienced at
least 16 firefighters killed in vehicle crashes while
on duty. The program is geared to reducing the
number of fatalities and injuries during vehicle
operations.
Started out as an idea in 2005
Committee was formed and process began
Need for a cultural change in the way
driver training was approached
Discussion about Police using Skid Cars
Why not have one for fire trucks?
Funding appropriated for program
Curriculum was discussed/developed
for an Advanced Driver course
The Ford F-650 and the skid frames arrived in April
of 2009. The F-650 had extensive modifications made to the cargo
area to support the regional delivery aspect of the program.
Second phase was learning to properly mount the
frames to the chassis. One frame is designed for
the front axle and the other frame for the rear.
Four days of intense instructor training for certification.
Overview
Program is 4 hours and consists of the
following components:
• 1 hour of ‘Being a Safe Driver’
• 1 hour of ‘SkidCar Driver Instruction’
• 1 hour of driving a cone course that is
instructed by the local fire agency
©
Overview
(Continued)
• 1 hour in the skid-truck. Students will rotate
into the driver position every 15 minutes. The
other students are watching, listening and
feeling the dynamics of the training while
sitting in the rear area of the cab.
Overview
(Continued)
The DPSST Certified Name for the Program is called:
Skid Avoidance for Fire Apparatus Drivers (SAFAD)
The first component of the program, Being a Safe
Driver Class, covers the basic laws for Oregon
(specific to Fire & EMS), vehicle dynamics, braking
systems to include auxiliary systems (exhaust
brakes, etc..) and the 10 tender/tanker mistakes
along with intersection safety.
Student Qualifications
Facility Requirements
Minimum standard for a student to participate is
Driver Qualified/Certified.
Originally Pumper Operator Qualified/Certified
Facilities – minimum 300’X600’ clear,
unobstructed paved area.
Regional Delivery
DPSST provides the two classroom sessions
during fire department drill nights or; if
multiple agencies want to participate, within a
large classroom setting.
Importance of This Training
• What is instructed? Fire apparatus
driver/operator’s are taught to avoid getting
themselves into situations where they may
skid or lose control of a vehicle that weighs
from 26,000 lbs. up to 86,000 lbs.
• Why it is taught? To reduce the number of
accidents and to reduce the potential Line of
Duty Deaths while responding to and from an
incident.
Importance of This Training…..
In a 10 year span from 1997-2007, 133 accidents
claimed the lives of 148 firefighters nationwide.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
recommends training drivers every six (6) months and
recertifying each driver every year.
Course teaches handling in adverse conditions.
Program Statistics
• 150 Oregon Agencies trained to date
• 10 Regional delivery sites around the state
(soon to be 13)
Popularity of this program is growing. Lack of
sites to provide the skid-truck training continues
to hamper our ability to deliver the driving
portion of the class.
Year
Being A Safe
Driver
Skid Car Driver
Development
(SAFAD)
Skid-Truck
(Driving)
2009
1077
1010
736
2010
752
752
612
2011
545
549
527
2012
1538
963
1132
2013
182
182
172
TOTALS
4094
3456
3179
State Statistics
• See Handout
2010 Crashes Involving a Police, Ambulance or Fire Vehicle Running
With Lights & Sirens
Fatal
Crashes
3
NonFatal
Crashes
43
Property
Damage
Only
Total
Crashes
33
People
Killed
79
People
Injured
6
Trucks
74
Dry
Surface
9
Wet
Surface
46
Day
32
Night
33
Intersect Intersect Off-road
ion
ion
Related
46
33
1
24
2010 Crashes Involving a Fire Vehicle Running With Lights & Sirens
Fatal
Crashes
NonFatal
Crashes
Property
Damage
Only
Total
Crashes
0
1
2
3
People
Killed
People
Injured
0
Trucks
2
Dry
Surface
3
Wet
Surface
3
Day
0
Night
2
Intersect Intersect Off-road
ion
ion
Related
1
0
0
1
2010 Crashes Involving a Fire Vehicle Running With Lights & Sirens
Fatal
Crashes
Major
Injury
Crashes
Moderate
Injury
Crashes
Minor
Injury
Crashes
Property
Damage
Only
Total
Crashes
People
Killed
Major
Injuries
Moderate
Injuries
Minor
Injuries
Fixed/Other Object
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Sideswipe-Overtaking
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
Turning Movements
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
1
2010 Total
0
1
0
0
2
3
0
1
0
1
Designed and Engineered for Mobility
• Utilize F650 not only as the base for the skid
truck but also as the tractor to pull the
enclosed trailer with frames.
• Enclosed trailer capable of carrying two
frames and all support tools and replacement
parts for regional rural delivery.
Enclosed Trailer
• 35’ fifth wheel design
• 10’ wide x 12’ high
• Extruded aluminum construction for
maximum strength and minimum weight
• Full rear beaver tail gate design
• 21000lb GVWR
• The mobile unit on initial arrival
• Ready to deliver training
state wide
Inside of trailer before
modifications
Tools and equipment
added as found to be
needed in the field
Storage Area in
top portion of
trailer when
delivery was
taken of trailer
Storage area filled
with support items
and spare parts for
repairs as needed in
the field
Frames loaded for the
first time
- Wheels free floating
- Tie down points
unidentified
Current frame loaded
configuration
- Wheels locked in
place with turn
buckles and bars
- Tie down points on
both frames and floor
Original beavertail
closure system was
similar to that of an
overhead garage door
March of 2010 we
experienced a
catastrophic failure
- Cable lift system on
beavertail was
replaced with
hydraulic rams.
- For safety, controller
mounted at rear of
trailer
- During transit,
frames are lowered
and sit solid on floor
boards.
- During transit,
frames are also
secured in place
with tie down straps.
- Original winch was
2500lb and floor
mounted with steel
cable
- Current winch is
4500lb pedestal
mounted, fiber
braided cable with
remote control
operation
Trailer wheel wells on both
sides bevel cut to
accommodate axle bolts
Frame axle bolts turned
so that castle nuts are on
inside of frame when
loaded
Close clearance on both
sides of frame
Evidence of castle nut
gouge before flipping
bolts
Frame raised off of
floor boards. Wheels
kept in alignment by
turn buckles and bars.
Ready to unload
Close tolerances as the
frames are unloaded
Guide rails installed on beavertail for alignment
when loading and unloading
Beavertail slope and
angle specifically
designed for clearance
from deck to bottom of
frame when fully raised
Winch cable always kept
taught whether loading
or unloading
Always use two people
when loading and
unloading frames. Watch
for side clearance and
tracking
Hydraulic fittings on
frames, positioned at
back of trailer.
Frames aligned straight
before loading
Anchor point installed on
both frames for winch cable
attachment
Upper deck lowered into
position for loading or
unloading second frame
Ramps in place
Frames cleaned, ready for inspection and
general maintenance before reloading
We experienced over heating
and failure of the electric
motor on the hydraulic pump,
while doing extensive
training, especially during hot
weather.
- Fresh air intake
snorkel installed.
- Air discharges directly
onto electric motor.
- Exhaust fan installed,
with switch near the
instructor position in cab
Even without fan
operating, air flow will
open louvers with truck
moving.
Potentiometer placed
on Oscilloscope after
Warrenton training
• Oscilloscope showed
wide spike after
trouble shooting
intermittent issues
for several months
Potentiometer changed out immediately following
controller issues during Portland training, showed
narrow spike
Support Trailer
An Award Winning Program
• The Senator Paul S. Sarbanes Fire Service Safety Leadership
Award was created to encourage fire departments and
associations across the nation to help reduce the number
of firefighter deaths and injuries. The goal of this award
embodies the goals of both Congressional Fire Services
Institute (CFSI) and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
(NFFF) to ensure that EVERYONE GOES HOME at the end of
every call for service.
• Both CFSI and NFFF extend their thanks and appreciation to
State Farm Insurance and VFIS for serving as corporate cosponsors of the awards program.
• Award Goals
• Organizations nominated for the award should exemplify one or more of
the following goals:
• Recognition of the Life Safety Initiatives originally developed by the
American fire service during the 2004 National Fire Service Summit hosted
by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
• Recognizing the need to address firefighter health and safety and
becoming an advocate for this cause.
• Leadership in promoting and supporting firefighter health and safety
initiatives at the local, state or national level.
• Reaching out to other organizations and developing partnerships to
further the cause of firefighter health and safety.
• Engaging government leaders at all levels to work together for positive
changes in firefighter health and safety, and for the establishment of
government programs that can enhance the personal safety of firefighters.