Transcript No Slide Title

Highway Incident Safety
for Emergency Responders
Jack Sullivan, CSP, CFPS
Lt. & Safety Officer (ret.)
Lionville Fire Co., Lionville, PA
[email protected]
“ It Was Just A Routine Call……”
Lionville Fire Company
• Volunteer station
• 90 members, 35 firefighters
• Suburban, commercial, industrial
and residential area, with 10 miles
of the Pennsylvania Turnpike
• 3 Engines, Tanker, Rescue,
Brush Truck & Safety House
• 525+ runs per year
• Uwchlan Ambulance, >2000 runs/yr.
2 career personnel & 60 volunteers
Incident Overview
• March 9, 1998 - Raining with wet roadways
• Initial alarm was at 14:10 for a car in a ditch,
on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, just west of the
Downingtown Interchange, Milepost 310.9
• Uwchlan Ambulance and Lionville Fire / Rescue
responded with an Ambulance, Engine, Rescue,
the Chief & an Assistant Chief.
Original Incident
Pontiac Grand Am, westbound on the Turnpike,
lost control and slid into the drainage ditch.
Scene Diagram
Pa. Turnpike West Bound
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Shoulder
Grass
Ditch
Scene Diagram
Pa. Turnpike West Bound
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Shoulder
Grass
Ditch
Scene Diagram
Pa. Turnpike West Bound
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Shoulder
Grass
Ditch
Scene Diagram
Pa. Turnpike West Bound
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Shoulder
Grass
Ditch
Scene Diagram
Pa. Turnpike West Bound
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Shoulder
Grass
Ditch
Scene Diagram
Pa. Turnpike West Bound
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Shoulder
Grass
Ditch
Scene Diagram
Pa. Turnpike West Bound
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Shoulder
Grass
Ditch
Aftermath of the Crash
• 8 firefighters and 2 EMT’s involved in the crash
– One fatality, 9 serious injuries
• Original injured patient and two good Samaritans
• Heavy radio traffic due to weather related calls
• Mass confusion at the scene immediately after
• Many assist companies self -dispatched
• Weather grounded Medivac right after crash
Aftermath of the Crash
• Assistant Chief was disabled for several months
– Eventually resigned from the FD
• FF Mike Cox has undergone numerous surgeries to
repair his injured legs, and had ongoing PT
• Ongoing meetings and negotiation with the PA
Turnpike Commission to improve response
procedures
• Change in Lionville’s response procedure to Trpk
Firefighter Fatalities
Struck By Vehicles
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
5
5
5
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
2
1
1
0
'87
'88
'89
'90
'91
'92
'93
'94
'95
# Fatalities
'96
'97
'98
'99
'00
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 11-4-97 : Minneapolis, MN - Fire Captain Struck & Killed
Working at “minor injury accident”
• 1-12-98 : Centerville, Ohio - FF & PD Officer Struck & Killed
Struck & killed at 6 car accident along rain soaked I-675
• 3-09-98 : Lionville, PA - 8 FF’s & 2 EMT’s Struck, 1 Fatal
Struck and one killed at minor accident on Pa. Turnpike
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
5-03-98 : Hagerstown, MD - Firefighter Struck & Killed
Directing traffic at vehicle accident
( Driver was distracted by incident operations )
6-16-98 : Harmonville, PA - Firefighter Struck & Injured
Struck & dragged 20 yards, at accident scene (video)
6-26-98: Laurel, PA - Fire Police Lt. Struck & Killed
Directing traffic at scene of vehicle accident
8-01-98 : Streetman, TX - Firefighter Struck & Killed
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Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 10-24-98 : Forest City, NC - Fire Police Struck & Killed
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• 1-05-99 : Kiln, MS - Firefighter Struck & Killed
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( Driver was blinded by lights from engine facing traffic)
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 03-06-99 : Downingtown, PA - Unit Struck, No FF Injuries
Traffic Unit struck by Mustang, at the scene of an
accident , 2 occupants in car trapped by crash
• 08-05-99 : Midwest City, OK - Firefighter Struck and Killed
Working at scene of earlier MVA on Interstate 40.
One other firefighter also injured in the wreck.
( This incident was the subject of a NIOSH Investigation)
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 09-08-99 : Hazard, KY - 5 EMS Personnel Struck & Injured
Car plowed into an accident scene, struck an emergency
vehicle, which then struck an ambulance on scene.
Driver blinded by early morning sun glare
• 09-15-99 : Jeffersonville, IN - Firefighter Struck & Killed
Struck by fire apparatus while fighting wildland fire
• 09-27-99 : Marietta, SC - Firefighter Struck & Killed
Struck by tractor trailer while directing traffic at scene
of previous MVA ( Also a NIOSH Investigation )
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 08-12-99 : Dallas, TX area - Fire Truck & 1 Firefighter Struck
One Firefighter Injured, but 6 saved !
Drunk in full size Blazer, struck the back of an Engine which
was blocking an accident scene, moved the Engine 8’ striking the
firefighter and a guardrail. Driver of vehicle was trapped, and later
died of his injuries. Placement of the engine across traffic saved at
least 6 personnel.
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 12-19-99 : Broward County, FL. - Fire Dept Vehicle Struck
Fire engulfs 2 vehicles after truck hits fire-rescue vehicle.
No injuries to personnel on scene.
• 2-16-2000 : Mason, Ohio - Fire Chief Struck & Injured
Fire crews working an accident, when FD Suburban rolled
into the work area, pinning the Chief
• 2-18-2000 : Salt Lake County, Utah. - Fire Truck Struck
SUV traveling at high rate of speed, struck fire truck working
2 previous accidents at same spot. No firefighters struck, but
one jumped guardrail,and a correctly placed fire truck protected
the scene.
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 3-7-2000 : Norfolk, VA - Near miss ! - 1 Firefighter injured
Engine struck by an out of control dump truck, on I-264.
Back injury to one of three firefighters, who jumped guard rail
to escape skidding truck. Safe zone established by HIRT unit.
• 4-22-2000 : St. Louis , MO - 2 Medics & 1 PD Officer Injured
Car struck police cruiser along I-44, which in turn hit
ambulance, working a previous accident scene.
• 4-27-2000 : Atlanta, Georgia - 3 Firefighters Struck & Injured
Firefighters working a car fire on I-20, when a car struck
the engine, which then struck 3 firefighters (minor injuries).
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 4-26-2000 : Fairfax County, VA - Fire Truck Struck w/ 1 FF Injury
Engine working an accident on the Capital Beltway at 00:30,
was struck by an auto ( @ 60 mph ) operated by an impaired driver.
Safe zone established . Fire engine destroyed.
• 5-11-2000 : Fairfax County, VA (Again ! ) - Fire Truck Struck
Engine struck by car driven by impaired driver on I-95, No
injuries to firefighters, safe zone established. Fire engine destroyed.
• 5-10-2000 : Jones County, KS - Fire Truck Struck
Auto, driven by impaired driver (.25 BAL) struck Quint which
was operating at a car fire. The quint was on the side of road,
had out cones, and there was a police cruiser 100 yd. back.
1 firefighter brushed by the car as it went by….
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 5-26-2000 : Chicago, IL - Firefighter Struck and Injured
Firefighter was running a hose across the street at the
scene of a garage fire, when he was struck by a hit and run
driver. Firefighter was in hospital in stable condition.
• 7-13-2000 : Friendswood, TX - FD Capt. Struck and Injured
Captain was investigating smoke in an oil field, when he was
run over by a suspicious vehicle he encountered at the site.
• 8 -20 -2000 : San Ramon, CA - Fire Truck Struck
Citizen killed when her car struck a fire truck on location
of a previous MVA.
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 8 -21-2000 : Gary, IN - Firefighter Struck & Injured
Firefighter was assisting an engine backing into station,
when he was struck by an auto and injured.
• 9 -01-2000 : Angeles National Forest, CA - Fire Truck Struck
One citizen killed and one injured when their motorcycles
struck a slow moving fire truck working a wildfire.
• 9 -04 -2000 : Yuma, AZ - Firefighter Struck and Killed
Struck by ARFF apparatus while on training drill.
• 9 -04 -2000 : Ludlow, MA - Firefighter Struck and Injured
Hooking to a hydrant at a structure fire.
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 9-04-2000 : Ludlow, MA - Firefighter Struck and Injured
Hooking to a hydrant at a structure fire.
• 9-17-2000 : Maryland Heights, MD - FF Struck and Killed
Struck while crossing an interstate at scene of an MVA.
• 10-24-2000 : Clearfield Co., PA - Fire Truck Struck, 3 FF Injuries
Parked rescue truck with 3 firefighters inside, was struck on
an interstate, by a tractor trailer driver who fell asleep.
• 11-02-00 : Jonesboro, AR - Firefighter Struck and Killed
Crossing road at scene of a disabled fire truck on a roadway.
Similar Fire & EMS Incidents
• 11-07-00 : Tiffin, OH - EMT Struck and Killed
Assisting a pedestrian along a highway.
• 12-23-00 : Chicago, IL - Firefighter Struck and Killed
Working an MVA on a highway.
• 01-10-01 : Kendall, NY - Firefighter Struck & Killed
• 01-17-01 : Chicago, IL - Firefighter Struck & Injured
• 01-18-01 : Calumet City, IL - Fire Truck Struck, Civilian Injured
Similar Police Dept. Incidents
• The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
Fund, and the Concerns of Police Survivors
– 20 police officers died after being struck by
vehicles outside of their cruisers in 2000
Firefighters responding
to calls,need to operate
“as if someone is trying to run them over”
James Joyce, Commissioner
Chicago Fire Dept.
January 2001
Lessons to Reinforce
• Build awareness through more intense training
–
–
–
–
–
Firefighter I or EMT - B classes
Station or Company Orientation
Annual In Service Training
Bulletins, SOG’s, Lessons from Losses
Evaluate apparatus placement & safety procedures
during all drills and training sessions.
Lessons to Reinforce
• Multi-agency coordination & communication
– Fire, EMS mutual aid agencies
– Law Enforcement agencies
– DOT, wrecker services, HazMat contractors
– Preplan traffic control plans for major routes
– Table top drills with mutual aid agencies ?
Lessons to Reinforce
• Limit the Exposure
– Minimum Apparatus & Personnel
– Limit crews on scene to only those necessary
• Limit the time on scene
– Clear-up crews as soon as possible
Lessons to Reinforce
• Need for advance warning to slow passing traffic
– Arrow Boards, Flares, Cones, Police Cars, DOT signage
– Variable Message Signs, News Media / Traffic Reports
Lessons to Reinforce
• Apparatus Positioning and Arrangement
– Guard the scene, guard the crew
– Park apparatus at an angle
• Work on side away from traffic
– Pump Operators, Location of equipment on rigs
– Look ! Before disembarking apparatus
• Shut Down the Roadway
– Not Popular with Law Enforcement or the public
– May be Necessary ! - Plan for it in advance.
Jersey Barrier
Fast Lane
Right Lane
Lessons to Reinforce
• Scene Lighting
– Reduce emergency lights, Use “Blocking” mode,
Sign Boards, Arrow Boards, Arrow sticks
– Increase use of amber lenses
(more apt to slow traffic)
– Provide scene illumination after dark
– Presence of Police vehicles shown to slow traffic
Lessons to Reinforce
• Require Retro-reflective or Florescent clothing / PPE
– Structural gear may not offer “high visibility”
– Safety Vests - Get them & Use Them !
– ANSI 107-1999 High Visibility Safety Apparel
• Class I - Traffic < 25 mph, separation from traffic
• Class II - Traffic > 25 mph, inclement weather, directing traffic
• Class III - Traffic > 50 mph, emergency responders
– Co. Officers monitor & enforce their usage ?
– SO carry spares ?
– Vests on apparatus ? Assigned to each person ?
Traffic Safety Vests
ANSI Class I
ANSI Class II
Traffic Safety Vests
Lessons to Reinforce
• Personal Protective Equipment
– Use of helmets and turnouts prevented more
serious injuries at the Lionville incident.
• Design safety features into all new apparatus
– Use of better reflective markings on rear of apparatus
– Space for storage of traffic control equipment
– Design lighting to protect the incident scene
Plano, Texas Fire Department
Apparatus Markings
Lessons to Reinforce
• Safety Officer assigned for scene safety
– Scene hazards and traffic control
• Accountability System in Place on ALL Incidents
– Ability to account for all personnel on scene
– Could you identify if any of your crew were
under a vehicle that intruded on your scene ?
NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigations
• NIOSH Report 99F-27 - August 5, 1999 Incident in
Oklahoma - 2 Career firefighters were struck on an
interstate; one was killed, and one with serious injuries
– On the internet: < http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face9927.html >
• NIOSH Report 99F-38 - September 27, 1999 Incident
in South Carolina - Volunteer dies after being struck by
a tractor trailer truck.
– On the internet : < http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face9938.html >
NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation
Recommendations
• Establish, implement and enforce, standard operating procedures
(SOP’s) regarding emergency operations for highway incidents.
• Position apparatus to take advantage of topography and weather
conditions (uphill / upwind) & protect firefighters from traffic.
• First control oncoming vehicles before addressing the emergency
event, in the event the police have not arrived.
• Ensure that personnel position themselves and victims in a
secure area, when it’s not possible to protect the incident scene.
• (DOT) - Use of “variable message signs” to inform motorists of
hazardous conditions or vehicular accidents.
NIOSH Firefighter Fatality Investigation
Recommendations
• Ensure that personnel park or stage unneeded vehicles off the
street / highway whenever possible.
• Ensure that personnel wear personal protective clothing that is
suitable to that incident while operating at an emergency scene
such as a highly reflectorized flagger vest ( strong yellow green
and orange ).
• Ensure that personnel conducting traffic control measures use
a highly visible stop / slow paddle.
• Establish pre-incident plans for areas that have a higher rate
of automobile incidents.
Take Action !
Awareness
Strategy &
Tactics
Training
SOP’s
Equipment
Leadership
(New & Existing)