Transcript Evesham Fire-Rescue Engine Apparatus Operator Training

Evesham Fire-Rescue
Engine Apparatus Operator Training
Emergency Vehicle Operations
Module Objectives
• Given a lecture on Emergency
Vehicle Operations, the student will:
– Identify common cause of apparatus
accidents and related statistics.
– Understand the importance of defensive
driving while enroute to emergencies.
– Identify driving regulations associated
with driving emergency vehicles.
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Apparatus Driver
• Primary job is to maneuver and
safely control the apparatus.
• You are responsible for the safety of
your crew and the public
• If you don’t arrive safely, you can’t
help anyone.
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Consider the impacts
• Injured department personnel.
• Injuries to innocent by-standers.
• Criminal and civil lawsuits.
• Tarnished image and negative public
relations.
4
NFPA Statistics
• 20% of all firefighter injuries and
deaths annually are from vehicle
accidents.
• Approximately 25 civilians die each
year in apparatus collisions.
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Apparatus accidents
• Most occur in ideal weather and on
dry roads.
• Most apparatus accidents are
preventable.
• Accidents can be grouped into five
categories.
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Common causes
• Improper backing.
• Reckless driving by civilians.
• Excessive apparatus speed .
• Lack of driving experience/training.
• Poor apparatus design or maintenance.
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Additional factors
• Overconfidence in driving ability.
• Inability to recognize road hazard.
• Misunderstanding of apparatus
capabilities.
• Lack of training in emergency
maneuvers.
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Driving Regulations
• Federal, state and local laws.
• NFPA Standards.
• Departmental policies and SOPs.
• Emergency vehicles are bound by
same driving laws as regular
vehicles. (Ex. - school bus laws)
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Driver Attitude
• Drive in a calm and safe manner.
• You can’t demand the right of way, it
must be yielded to you.
• Consider the public image of the
department.
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Apparatus Rider Safety
• Riders should be belted and seated.
• Personnel should never ride outside
the apparatus.
• Safety bars or gates on jumpseat
areas are not a substitute for safety.
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Backing the vehicle
• Most accidents occur while backing.
• Avoid backing if at all possible.
• Use spotters whenever backing.
• All apparatus should have back-up
alarms.
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Defensive Driving
• Intersections are the most likely
place for an accident to occur.
• Come to a complete stop before
proceeding through red lights.
• Driving in the on coming lane of
traffic is not recommended.
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Defensive Driving Techniques
• Anticipate other drivers actions.
• Estimate visual lead time.
• Estimate braking and reaction time.
• Understand weight transfer.
• Combating skids.
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Anticipate other drivers
• Aim high in the steering.
• Get the big picture.
• Keep your eyes moving.
• Leave yourself an “out”.
• Make sure others can see and hear
you.
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Visual lead time
• Scan far enough ahead to anticipate
roadway hazards.
• Visual lead time affects reaction time
and breaking distance.
• Aim high in the steering - get the big
picture.
16
Braking and Reaction Time
• Total stopping distance = Driver reaction
time + vehicle braking distance.
• Vehicle speed and weight directly affect
braking distance.
• Proper hand position for driving large
apparatus is 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.
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Weight Transfer
• Physics laws - an object in motion
tends to remain in motion.
• A change in direction or velocity will
cause a weight transfer.
• Reduce speed when approaching
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Combating Skids
• Most common causes of skids
– Driving too fast for road conditions
– Failing to anticipate weight transfer
– Failing to anticipate obstacles
– Improper use of auxiliary braking
devices
– Improper care of tires and air pressure
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Passing other vehicles
• Avoid passing vehicles that have not
yet yielded.
• Avoid passing on the right.
• Avoid driving in opposing traffic
lanes.
• Avoid passing other emergency
vehicles
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Adverse weather
• Rain, snow, ice and mud make roads
slippery.
• It takes 3 to 15 times more distance
to stop on slippery roads.
• Adjust speed based on road curves
and crowning.
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Use of Warning Devices
• Motorists respond better to changes
in pitch and tones.
• Above 50 mph, the apparatus will
outrun the range of the sirens.
• Be aware of other emergency
vehicles at intersections.
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Summary
• Apparatus driver are responsible to
arrive safely every time.
• You don’t own the road, other drivers
must first yield to you.
• Know your equipment and S.O.P.s
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