Transcript Approaching the Fire Ground

8
Approaching
the Fire
Ground
8
Knowledge Objectives (1 of 10)
• Describe the effects of vehicle control
during a liquid surge on the roadway.
• Describe the effect of a wet roadway on
the braking reaction time.
• Describe the effect of the fire apparatus’s
load on the control of the vehicle on a wet
roadway.
8
Knowledge Objectives (2 of 10)
• Describe the risk of a fire apparatus roll-over
due to the effects of the apparatus’s high
center of gravity.
• Describe general steering reactions of a fire
apparatus.
• Describe the effect of speed in controlling a
fire apparatus on the roadway.
• Describe the effect of centrifugal force in
controlling a fire apparatus on the roadway.
8
Knowledge Objectives (3 of 10)
• Describe the applicable laws and
regulations in operating a fire apparatus.
• Describe the principles of skid avoidance
when operating a fire apparatus.
• Describe the principles of safe night
driving of a fire apparatus.
• Discuss proper shifting and gear patterns
of a fire apparatus.
8
Knowledge Objectives (4 of 10)
• Describe how to safely cross intersections,
railroad crossings, and bridges.
• Describe the weight and height limitations
of a fire apparatus for both roads and
bridges.
• Identify and describe the operation of
automotive gauges on the fire apparatus.
• Describe the operational limits of the fire
apparatus.
8
Knowledge Objectives (5 of 10)
• Describe how to control the fire apparatus
using defensive driving techniques under
emergency conditions.
• Describe your responsibilities as you
approach an emergency scene.
• Describe Level I and II staging procedures.
• Identify potential hazards while
approaching emergency incidents.
8
Knowledge Objectives (6 of 10)
• Describe the driver/operator’s role when
positioning the fire apparatus to operate at
various emergency incidents.
• Describe how to perform four left turns and
four right turns with the fire apparatus.
• Describe how to drive a fire apparatus on
a straight section of an urban business
street or a rural two-lane road for 1 mile
(1.6 km).
8
Knowledge Objectives (7 of 10)
• Describe how to drive a fire apparatus
safely through a one through-intersection.
• Describe how to drive a fire apparatus
through two intersections where a stop
has to be made.
• Describe how to drive a fire apparatus
across a railroad crossing.
• Describe how to drive a fire apparatus on
a curve, either left or right.
8
Knowledge Objectives (8 of 10)
• Describe how to drive a fire apparatus on
a section of limited-access highway with
an entrance and exit ramp.
• Describe how to drive a fire apparatus on
a highway and perform two lane changes.
• Describe how to operate a fire apparatus
on a downgrade requiring a down-shift and
braking.
8
Knowledge Objectives (9 of 10)
• Describe how to operate a fire apparatus
on an upgrade requiring a gear change to
maintain speed.
• Describe how to operate a fire apparatus
and travel safely under either an
underpass or a low-clearance bridge.
• Describe how to operate a fire apparatus
and maintain safe following distances.
8
Knowledge Objectives (10 of 10)
• Describe how to accelerate in a fire
apparatus.
• Describe how to decelerate in a fire
apparatus.
• Describe how to turn in a fire apparatus.
• Describe how to operate the fire apparatus
safely under adverse driving conditions.
8
Skills Objectives
• Perform the alley dock exercise with the
fire apparatus.
8
Introduction
• Driver/operator must get the crew,
apparatus, and equipment to the incident
scene safely.
• Fire apparatus are bigger and heavier than
other vehicles on the road.
– Changes how they should be driven
• Apparatus cannot be driven like a personal
vehicle.
8
Emergency Vehicle Laws (1 of 5)
• No one should drive an emergency vehicle
or apparatus until trained.
– Each department should ensure members are
trained to operate apparatus they will drive.
– Fire service can and should provide training to
ensure all driver/operators drive safely and
act responsibly while operating vehicles.
8
Emergency Vehicle Laws (2 of 5)
• Each department is governed by state
laws and local regulations.
– Some are detailed and descriptive.
– Others are vague and open to interpretation.
– All driver/operators are responsible for actions
while driving emergency vehicles.
– Driver/operator must understand local laws
and regulations that must be followed.
8
Emergency Vehicle Laws (3 of 5)
• Sirens and warning lights do not give the
right-of-way to the apparatus.
– Devices request right-of-way from other
drivers based on awareness of vehicle’s
presence
– Driver/operator must drive defensively to
prepare for unexpected or inappropriate
actions of others
– Driver/operator must follow the same laws as
any other driver.
8
Emergency Vehicle Laws (4 of 5)
• States provide privileges to emergency vehicle
driver/operators responding to emergency
– States also specify conditions under which
privileges are granted.
• Laws do not relieve driver/operator from duty to
drive with regard for safety of others
– Also protect driver/operator from consequences of
reckless disregard for safety of others
– Each driver/operator is accountable for his or her
actions.
8
Emergency Vehicle Laws (5 of 5)
• State laws that may apply to emergency
vehicle operators
– Comply with lawful order or direction of police
officer invested by law with authority to direct,
control, and regulate traffic.
– Do not pass school buses loading or
unloading passengers.
– Do not leave the scene of the accident you
are in.
8
Safe Driving Practices (1 of 6)
• When starting an emergency response,
accelerate slowly and in a controlled manner.
• While driving down hills, rely on engine and
auxiliary braking device to slow apparatus
• When traveling up hills, avoid over-throttling
apparatus
• Local jurisdictions determine appropriate
level of response for emergency
8
Safe Driving Practices (2 of 6)
• Drive apparatus with intention of passing
other vehicles on the left side
• Apparatus on roadway must remain in its own
lane
• When making left or right turns, ensure the
clearance of curbs, trees, and other objects in
your blind spot.
• Turn left wide enough to make turn but not to
travel into outside lane and strike other
vehicle
8
Safe Driving Practices (3 of 6)
© AlanHaynes.com/Alamy Images
8
Safe Driving Practices (4 of 6)
• Curved roadways are everywhere and can be
a problem for emergency vehicles.
• Driver/operators should be familiar with
centrifugal force.
• Driving along curves affects weight transfer.
• Every road curve has a critical speed.
• Responding to an emergency at night is more
difficult than responding during the day.
8
Safe Driving Practices (5 of 6)
© iofoto/ShutterStock, Inc.
8
Safe Driving Practices (6 of 6)
• Be aware of bridges and overpasses
before response.
• Be careful of weight limits on bridges.
• Know and use defensive driving practices.
• Liquid surge: movement of liquid inside
container as container is moved
• Driver/operator should know how to
prevent skidding when tires lose their grip.
8
Intersections (1 of 2)
• Intersections present the greatest potential
for danger to the apparatus.
• At all intersections with green lights or
where the apparatus has the right-of-way,
disengage throttle and press the brake.
• Many jurisdictions use traffic signal
preemption systems to assist apparatus
during response.
8
Intersections (2 of 2)
• Encounter by the public with emergency
response vehicle en route to emergency is
not an everyday occurrence
• Driver/operator still must slow down at a
green light
• When approaching an unguarded railroad
crossing, completely stop before entering
the crossing.
8
Approaching the Scene
of an Emergency (1 of 7)
• All emergency scenes are dynamic in
nature.
– Can go from bad to worse in seconds
– Driver/operator approaching the scene should
slow down, identify the correct
address/location, and recognize potential
hazards.
• Slow down
– Apparatus responding to an emergency attracts
attention from the public
8
Approaching the Scene
of an Emergency (2 of 7)
© jean schweitzer/ShutterStock, Inc.
8
Approaching the Scene
of an Emergency (3 of 7)
• Identify address/location
– Responding to the wrong location may be
embarrassing or could lead to the loss of
property and lives
– Once near the emergency, all crew members
should help locate the address.
– Finding a location in apartment complexes
can be difficult.
8
Approaching the Scene
of an Emergency (4 of 7)
© PeterG/ShutterStock, Inc.
8
Approaching the Scene
of an Emergency (5 of 7)
• Identify address/location (continued)
– In rural areas, many departments rely on
members’ knowledge.
– Finding the correct location involves more
than just a physical address.
8
Approaching the Scene
of an Emergency (6 of 7)
© Jim Parkin/ShutterStock, Inc.
8
Approaching the Scene
of an Emergency (7 of 7)
• Recognize potential hazards
– Recognizing potential hazards while
approaching the incident can be difficult.
– Driver/operator should constantly be on the
lookout for hazards to ensure crew safety.
8
Fire Scene Positioning (1 of 2)
• While approaching the scene, try to view
at least three sides of the structure.
– May have to drive slightly past the structure
– Positioning gives crew awareness of building,
including company officer who may inform
other responders
8
Fire Scene Positioning (2 of 2)
• Every department should train its
members on proper staging.
– Some departments require only the necessary
units at the scene so the IC can strategize
without being overwhelmed.
– Tasks are assigned to each unit by the IC.
8
Nothing Showing (1 of 2)
• When nothing is showing to first-arriving
units, emphasis is on proper apparatus
positioning.
• Follow department’s SOPs and chain of
command.
• Do not make decisions or orders when you
do not have the authority to do so.
8
Nothing Showing (2 of 2)
© Vladislav Gurfinkel/Dreamstime.com
8
Working Fire
• Driver/operator positions the apparatus at
the working fire for maximum potential
benefit.
• Efficient apparatus placement begins with
the arrival of first-responding apparatus.
• Later-arriving companies follow
departments’ staging procedures.
8
Staging (1 of 6)
• NFPA 1561, Standard on Emergency Services
Incident Management System, identifies need to
provide system to manage responders and
resources at or near the incident scene
• Later-arriving apparatus are uncommitted and
must await orders from the IC.
• Staging provides a way to control, record, and
assign subsequent resources within IMS.
8
Staging (2 of 6)
8
Staging (3 of 6)
• Proper staging serves many purposes.
– Reduces unnecessary radio traffic
– Reduces excessive apparatus congestion at
the scene
– Provides IC with a resource pool
• Level I staging
– In effect for all first-alarm assignments or
incidents involving three or more units
8
Staging (4 of 6)
8
Staging (5 of 6)
• Level II staging
– Utilized on second or greater alarms when
mutual aid units report to the incident
– Places all reserve resources in a central
location
– Requires a staging area manager
8
Staging (6 of 6)
8
Engines and Ladders (1 of 7)
• Proper placement of ladders and engines
should complement one another to rescue
civilians and affect total fire extinguishment
• Placement of first-arriving engine or ladder
is based on initial size-up and department’s
SOPs.
• Only the engine company responds with
hose, water, and fire pump on the
apparatus.
8
Engines and Ladders (2 of 7)
• Position ladder company to support engine
• IC gives instructions for apparatus placement
and performance of operations
• Rescue potential
– Position apparatus to assist in or perform the
operation
• Exposures
– Position apparatus far enough away to remain
safe but close enough to deliver fire streams
8
Engines and Ladders (3 of 7)
• Driver/operator must think ahead.
– Position apparatus knowing it might be
repositioned
• Position apparatus in the corner of a safe
area.
• When positioning the apparatus, note
street lights, traffic signals, trees, utility
poles, and wires on the site.
8
Engines and Ladders (4 of 7)
• Fire conditions
– Position initial engine company for efficient
deployment of first attack line
• Water supply
– First-due engines approaching the scene with
working fire must secure water supply
• Slope
– Position uphill from incident to prevent
problems
8
Engines and Ladders (5 of 7)
• Terrain and surface conditions
– Terrain varies, so position apparatus with future
pump operations in mind
• Wind conditions
– Place apparatus out of oncoming smoke and heat
• Overhead obstructions
– Wires may interfere with aerial device operation
• Auxiliary appliances
– Standpipe and/or sprinkler system
8
Engines and Ladders (6 of 7)
© Adam Alberti, NJFirePictures.com
8
Engines and Ladders (7 of 7)
© Adam Alberti, NJFirePictures.com
8
Positioning of Other Fire Scene
Apparatus
• Size, construction, occupancy, and
involvement of the structure determine
other apparatus that may be needed.
• Specialized apparatus have assorted
equipment.
• Command vehicle is used by the chief to
respond.
• Ambulances are specially designed to
transport the sick and injured.
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (1 of 8)
• Operating at an emergency scene on or
near a highway or intersection is extremely
dangerous.
– Personnel understand and appreciate the risk
to fire fighters when working in or near moving
vehicles.
– U.S. Fire Administration says the fifth leading
cause of fatal injuries to fire fighters in 2005
was being struck by an object.
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (2 of 8)
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (3 of 8)
• Motorists have varying abilities, with or
without licenses, with or without legal
restrictions, and driving at varying speeds.
– Visual impairments
– Impairment from alcohol and drugs
– Looking at the scene instead of the road
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (4 of 8)
• When the apparatus arrives at the scene,
the driver should not let others exit the cab
until he or she is satisfied with the
apparatus position.
– Only when the unit is parked and ready
should members dismount.
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (5 of 8)
• Never trust traffic.
– Have respect for all vehicles. Any scene near
moving traffic has potential danger to fire fighters.
– Exit the apparatus on the curb or nontraffic side.
– Look before stepping out of apparatus into traffic
– Walk around the apparatus as close as possible
when parked near moving traffic.
– Never turn your back to oncoming traffic for an
extended time.
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (6 of 8)
• Engage in proper protective parking.
– Driver/operator must consider the consequences
of positioning apparatus.
– Never let convenience compromise safety.
– Position apparatus to protect scene, patients,
emergency personnel, and to provide protected
work area
– Position the apparatus at a 45-degree angle away
from the curbside to direct motorists around the
scene.
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (7 of 8)
• Engage in proper protective parking.
(continued)
– Initial apparatus placement allows adequate
parking of other apparatus and a safe work
area
– Allow distance between apparatus and scene
to prevent a moving vehicle from knocking
apparatus into work areas
8
Positioning at an Intersection
or on a Highway (8 of 8)
• Reduce motorist vision impairment.
– Never hesitate to operate emergency lights at
a scene.
– Many apparatus exceed state emergency
lighting requirements.
– Use directional arrows at the rear of the
apparatus to direct oncoming traffic.
– Wear high-visibility reflective vests
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (1 of 8)
• Federal Highway Administration publishes
MUTCD.
– Each state is required to adopt provisions.
– Section 6I, “The Control of Traffic through
Incident Management Areas,” applies to
incidents fire fighters might encounter on or
near the roadway.
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (2 of 8)
• Goals of traffic control
– To improve responder safety while working at
the incident
– To keep traffic flowing smoothly around the
incident
– To prevent secondary accidents at the scene
– To prevent unnecessary use of the
surrounding road system
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (3 of 8)
• Within 15 minutes of arrival, the IC
estimates incident magnitude, length of
backed-up motorists, and incident
duration.
– MUTCD classifies traffic incidents into classes
of duration:
• Major traffic accidents
• Intermediate traffic incidents
• Minor traffic incidents
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (4 of 8)
• MUTCD traffic incident management area
(TIMA)
• Area of highway where temporary traffic
controls are imposed by authorized
officials in response to:
– Traffic incident
– Natural disaster
– Hazardous material spill
– Other unplanned incident
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (5 of 8)
• Defining these areas helps fire fighters
understand where apparatus should be
positioned at the scene.
– Communicating to incoming apparatus and
describing placement becomes easier.
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (6 of 8)
• Motor vehicle accidents (MVA)
– Involves one or more vehicles, on or off the road
– Traffic backed up as apparatus approaches
scene, making approach slower and more
frustrating
• Positioning at intersection
– MVAs more likely to occur at an intersection
than anywhere else
– Call police for help with traffic control.
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (7 of 8)
• Positioning on the highway
– Fire fighters must be aware of moving vehicles.
– Identify a position that will allow fire fighters to
work in a safe area.
– First-arriving apparatus blocks the scene.
• Vehicle fires
– Do not position the apparatus where it will
become exposed to a hazard.
– Position the apparatus uphill and upwind of the
burning vehicle.
8
Manual on Uniform
Traffic Control Devices (8 of 8)
• Railroads
– Consider every railroad track to be active.
– Contact dispatch to request that tracks be
shut down while on-scene operations
continue.
– Never park the apparatus on top of the tracks.
8
Positioning at the Emergency
Medical Scene (1 of 4)
• Emergency medical scene is just as
dangerous as other incidents.
– Danger is associated with the people
involved.
– First priority is to provide a protected
environment for fire fighters to work in.
8
Positioning at the Emergency
Medical Scene (2 of 4)
• Some incidents have a greater potential
for violence than others.
– When responding, turn off emergency lights
and sirens a few blocks away from the
incident.
– Enter the scene without rushing into an
unknown situation.
– Drive slowly past the address and park the
apparatus 100+’ (30.48+ m) from the location.
8
Positioning at the Emergency
Medical Scene (3 of 4)
• Position the apparatus for a quick exit.
– If necessary, turn it around.
– NFPA 1002 requires all driver/operators to
complete an alley dock exercise simulating
backing apparatus into an alley or tight space.
8
Positioning at the Emergency
Medical Scene (4 of 4)
• Street may be simulated during alley dock
exercise by arranging marker cones 40’ (12.19
m) from boundary
– Cones mark area 12’ (3.65 m) wide  20’ (6.096 m)
long
– Driver/operator passes marker cones with dock on
left, backs up apparatus using left turn into dock
– Repeat exercise with dock on right of apparatus
– Spotter is necessary
8
Special Emergency
Scene Positioning (1 of 3)
• Some emergencies are rarely encountered
by most fire fighters.
– Incidents occur less frequently, but the need
for proper scene positioning is paramount.
– Be cautious and resist the urge to rush in.
– Incidents unfold slowly until enough
information is gathered to determine the
appropriate action
8
Special Emergency
Scene Positioning (2 of 3)
• Driver/operator must consider control
zones surrounding the incident:
– Hot zone: area for entry and rescue teams
only
– Warm zone: area for properly trained and
equipped personnel only
– Cold zone: area for staging vehicles and
equipment until requested by IC
8
Special Emergency
Scene Positioning (3 of 3)
• Ideas for proper apparatus positioning
during incidents
– Hazardous materials incident
– Building collapse
– Trench collapse
– Terrorism
8
Summary (1 of 3)
• No member of the department drives an
emergency vehicle or apparatus until
completing training approved by the
department.
• Safe driving practices are essential no matter
where the apparatus is.
• A good driver/operator knows the practices
necessary to control the apparatus under any
and all road and weather conditions.
8
Summary (2 of 3)
• Fire fighters should always be cautious.
• As the apparatus approaches the scene,
driver/operator should slow down, identify
the correct address/location, and
recognize potential hazards.
• While approaching the scene, the
driver/operator should attempt to view at
least three sides of the structure.
8
Summary (3 of 3)
• Operating at the scene located on or near
a highway or intersection is extremely
dangerous.
• First priority upon arrival at EMS scene:
provide protected environment for fire
fighters to work in.
• When responding to special emergency
scenes, the driver/operator must consider
control zones surrounding the incident.