Transcript 2002 “Struck-by” LINE OF DUTY DEATHS

2002 “Struck-by” LINE OF
DUTY DEATHS
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Adam Weisberger
Alan Frye
Chief Earl Hemphill
Shane Kelly
Richard Cusson
Chief John Moore
Temporary Traffic
Control Zone
Section 6A.0 of the
DOT
MUTCD
(manual on uniform
traffic control
devices)
Highway terminology
Advanced Warning Area
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Road users are
informed about the
incident area they are
approaching.
 May be a single sign,
warning light on a
vehicle, cones, flares,
or emergency vehicles
far in advance of the
incident.
Recommended Advance
Warning Distances per
MUTCD guidelines
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Urban Street low posted
speed limit 300 Feet
Urban Street-Higher speed
limit
1,050 feet
Rural Road
1,500 feet
Expressway/Freeway
5,140 feet
Transition area
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The section of
highway where traffic
is re-directed out of
it’s normal driving
path.
 Done through
channelization.
 Typically done with
traffic cones or
vehicles.
MUTCD Taper Length Criteria
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Posted speed limit up to 40 mph
feet in total length
 Posted speed of 55 mph
 Posted speed of 65 mph
 Posted speed 70+ mph
320
660
780
840+
(Each warning sing, cone, or flare used in a merging taper
should be closer together than the posted speed limit; 35-ft
maximum distance between cones when tapering traffic in
a 35-mph zone, for example)
Activity Area
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Most Critical area.
 The work space,
Traffic space, and
buffer space.
 All EMS and Fire
activities should
happen in this area.
Activity Area
Ambulance Parking
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Must be positioned in
a protected location
(activity area).
 Many line-of duty
deaths have occurred
during patient loading,
while everyone is
looking into the back
of the ambulance.
Termination area
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The lane or lanes of
the roadway where
drivers are allowed to
return to their normal
travel pats and resume
normal speeds.
Right and Left
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Orientation is used base upon facing in the
direction of travel.
 Left is to the drivers left.
 Right is to the drivers right.
Inside and Outside
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The sides of the highway when facing in the
direction of travel.
 Inside is the drivers left.
 Outside is the drivers right.
Upstream and Downstream
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Upstream is the area of the highway
approaching the incident or activity area.
 Downstream is the area past the incident
scene.
Blocking
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Position apparatus at
an angle across one or
more lanes of traffic to
shield the activity are.
 The block should
completely block the
lane or shoulder
obstructed by the
damaged vehicle, plus
one lane of traffic.
Critical Wheel Angle
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The steering wheel is
turned all the way to
the left or all the way
to the right: whatever
is required to turn the
wheels away from the
protected activity area.
Taper area
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Using signs, cones,
flares, or blocking
vehicles to direct
approaching traffic
from normal traffic
lanes into a fewer
number of open lanes.
Flagger
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Trained in traffic-control techniques
 Trained in proper use of signaling
equipment and placement of warning
devices
 Responsible at a scene for the specific
traffic control responsibilities and manages
the flow of vehicles as they travel through
the incident scene
Personal Survival Skills
Exit Protocols:Fire Officer
(Operations and Command)
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Park the vehicle in a block-to-the right if
possible.
 Check all mirrors; look at approaching
traffic in both the side mirrors and the
interior rearview mirror
 Turn your head to look rearward over your
shoulder at approaching traffic
Exit Protocols:Fire Officer
(Operations and Command)
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Open the driver’s door partially
Check for approaching traffic
Exit the vehicle if safe to do so
Close the door
Maintain a low profile alongside the vehicle, with
your eyes on the approaching traffic direction
Move to a safe location on the protected side of
the vehicle
Exit Protocols:
Officer and Driver/Operator
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Look at approaching traffic in a side mirror.
 Turn you head to look rearward over you shoulder at
approaching traffic.
 Open the door partially.
 Check for approaching traffic.
 Exit the vehicle to street if safe to do so.
 Close the door.
 Maintain a low profile alongside the apparatus, with you
eyes on approaching traffic.
 With your back to the apparatus, move to the front and
around to the protected side of the apparatus.
Exit Protocols:Crew
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Look out the window at approaching traffic.
Open the door partially.
Check for approaching traffic
Exit the vehicle if safe to do so
Close the door
Assure that you are in a protected-activity area
All crew members in enclosed cabs must exit out
the door on the downstream side of the
apparatus;no exceptions.
Moving around Corners
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Move along the downstream, protected side
of the apparatus
 Stop at the corner of vehicle, pretend there
is a stop sign at every corner of the vehicle
 Look rearward at approaching traffic
 Move to the compartment door
 Obtain the equipment while constantly
checking approaching traffic
Moving around Corners
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Close the door
 Maintain a low profile alongside the vehicle
with your eyes on approaching traffic
 Move to a safe location on the protected
side of the vehicle
Deploying cones, flares, etc
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Obtain a partner if possible to act upstream as
your flagger, looking out for you and monitoring
approaching traffic
 Gather advanced warning cones
 Constantly scan for the movement and location of
approaching traffic
 Deploy a fluorescent pink, retro-reflective sign
upstream a distance equal to 12 times the posted
speed limit
Pink retro-reflective sign
Deploying cones, flares, etc
Deploy the 1st cone at the corner of the
blocking vehicle where the least amount of
buffer space exist between it and moving
traffic
 Deploy additional cones at appropriate
intervals while moving upstream, tapering
at an angle from the corner of the
emergency vehicle
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Flagger
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Faces Traffic
 Stands near the shoulder, but in clear view
of upstream vehicles
 Always know your escape route
 Always wear full turn out gear, including
coat and helmut
Distance Flagger should be
upstream
35 mph
130 feet
40 mph
170 feet
55 mph
335 feet
65 mph
485 feet
Hand Signals for Flagger
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To stop traffic the hand is held steady with the arm
extended out to the side, palm toward traffic
 To signal traffic to slow down, but continue, move
the arm up and down with the palm down.
 To signal a lane change, the free hand should
motion in the desired direction with an
exaggerated arc of movement in the direction
required while being held out away from the body
Mayday Signal
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Air Horn
 Whistle, break away neck cord