Driver Operator Manual: Introduction

###Introduction to Driver Operator Manual

• Provides a foundation for Driver Operators (DO)
• Addresses fire service hydraulics and pumping apparatus
• Additional resources include: IFSTA Pumping Apparatus, Driver/Operator Handbook, NFPA standards (1002, 1901, 1906, 1911, 24, 1142), PBCFR Hose and Pump Testing Manuals
• Essential DO qualities: common sense, troubleshooting, quick thinking, accurate calculation
• Key DO responsibilities: know apparatus, equipment, how they operate, and troubleshooting
• Proper decision-making keeps DOs from needing to justify actions

###Emergency Driving & Apparatus Positioning

• Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR) units respond to approximately 150,000 calls annually
• 20–25% of firefighter injuries/deaths are caused by vehicle collisions during emergency responses
• Factors contributing to incidents include excessive speed, improper intersection navigation, unfamiliarity with apparatus, lack of seatbelt use, and lack of driver training
• The DO must get the aparatus to the fire in a expedient, safe and efficient manner
• PBCFR DOs must follow Florida state motor vehicle laws, ordinances, regulations, county driver rules, Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, departmental policies/procedures, and Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG)
• DOs must understand defensive driving, including safe following distances, evasive maneuvers, and anticipating other drivers' actions
• DOs need to understand reaction, braking times, and weight transfer
• Most fire apparatus accidents occur during daylight with dry road conditions
• Florida doesn't require CDL (Commercial Driver's License) for authorized emergency vehicle drivers, but requires Class E license
• DOs have a responsibility to exercise “due regard” for public and property safety
• DOs who violate state statutes/laws may face criminal/civil prosecution
• "Due regard" is defined as reasonable care under similar circumstances
• Emergency vehicle operations must be consistent with "reasonable safety” and Florida State Statutes
• "Reasonable safety" considers call type, roadway, traffic, weather, and other factors impacting emergency vehicle operation
• PBCFR EVOC Driving Course is available to improve driving skills
• Elements of PBCFR EVOC Driving Course include lane changes, turnarounds, serpentine (forward and reverse), diminishing lane, straight lane (forward and reverse), and alley dock

###Gross Vehicle Weights

• Freightliner Engine - 33,000 lbs
• E-One Typhoon Engine - 38,000 lbs
• Sutphen Engine - 40,000 lbs
• Aerial Apparatus - 50,000 lbs
• Tender - 57,000 lbs
• Brush Truck - 28,500 lbs
• Weights include equipment, water, and crew
• Fire apparatus are heavy, handle and stop differently than personal vehicles
• Important factors include weight transfer, reaction time, braking time, and approach/departure angles
• Fire apparatus have a greater propensity for rollover because they are top-heavy
• Driving is the second leading cause of firefighter fatalities, and should continue to be honed through out your career

###Safe Driving Practices

• Always follow Florida State Motor Vehicle Laws, ordinances, regulations, County driver rules, and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.
• Emergency vehicle drivers are exempt from certain traffic laws but must exercise “due regard” for safety and follow "reasonable safety" standards and Florida State Statutes
• "Reasonable safety" considers call type, roadway, traffic, weather, and other factors impacting emergency vehicle operation
• All PBCFR Drivers must observe safe practices at all times
• Drivers shall not move Fire Rescue vehicles until everyone is seated and secured with seat belts, except when patient acre or loading house
• Donning/doffing equipment requiring belt removal is prohibited while the vehicle is moving
• Riding on the tailboard/running board is prohibited
• Loose equipment is prohibited in the cab
• Activate emergency traffic control device (traffic signal) for every emergency response; non-emergency use is banned
• Visual and audible devices must be used to alert traffic and pedestrians when responding to the scene
• Headlights should be on for increased safety
• Turn off “wig wag” lights at night to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, use low beam headlights
• Units responding to emergency incidents should monitor the radio TAC channel to gather as much information as possible prior to arrival
• Exceeding the speed limit is permitted responding so long as responders and public are not endangered
• Driving into oncoming lanes should be done with extreme caution
• Drivers cannot use communication devices, even hands-free devices, during an emergency

###Siren Use

• Use siren when responding to emergencies
• At 40 mph a siren can project 300 feet, at 50 mph you “outrun” your siren utilizing "wail" mode, or the Federal Q.
• When approaching intersections, switch from "wail” to “yelp” 200-300 feet before
• Use air horns as you approach and travel through intersections

###Intersections: Safety

• Complete stop required at stop signs, red signals, or other traffic control devices by required by traffic flow
• Proceed only when traffic flow and safety permits, one lane at a time
• Reduce speed and cover the brake at green signals
• When approaching heavily blocked intersections, consider shutting off vehicle emergency lights and sirens to avoid forcing civilians out
• U-turns can be made on limited access highways with extreme caution at no other time
• Emergency vehicles must proceed to next interchange/exit and turn around safely
• Exceptions include excessive travel distances to next exit

###Emergency Repsonses: Codes

• Code 1 – Response to be normal driving which does not require the use of emergency lights and siren
• Code 2 - Activity as normal driving with the use of emergency warning lights only, for non-emergency response such as participation in parades, dignitary escorts, or other similar events
• Code 3 – Response as the use of lights and/or siren when responding to an emergency call
• Maintain 300–500 feet of the same direction using Code 3’s together, do not pass another emergency vehicle responding
• Use extreme caution entering intersections and anticipate other units from another direction; Allow centerline traffic in the center when using the 3-lanes, allowing traffic to pull to both the right and left

###Night Driving Techniques

• Keep cab and compartment doors closed, practice good housekeeping
• Dim dash and panel lights
• Reduce speed; keep headlights and windshield clean
• Keep eyes moving, scanning the roadway

###Skid Control

• Remove foot from accelerator
• Steer the vehicle in the same direction that you are skidding
• Do not brake!- control

###Tire Blowout

• Accelerate initially
• Slow down; signaling intentions
• Safely pull off the roadway

###Apparatus Positioning on or Near Roadways

• Placement affected by weather, time, lighting, traffic, hills, curves, obstructions
• If police aren't present, control oncoming vehicular traffic before addressing emergency
• Be conscious of how weather, terrain, positioning needs of other apparatus, department SOG's and tactical judgment dictates placement
• PBCFR members must complete “Blocking Procedures at Roadway Incidents" training module on Target Solutions

###General Roadway Safety

• Wear department-approved traffic safety vests at all times, don traffic vest over your bunker coat.
• Wear bunker gear and helmet when working at traffic accident scenes
• Don't trust traffic and be aware of your surroundings
• Minimize time on scene and mark with paint the vehicles for visibility
• Use traffic cones and be aware and avoid having fire fighters take over traffic control

###General Roadway Safety: Additional Precautions

• PBCFR has PBSO help with traffic control
• Use caution at intersections
• Use a "lookout" to act as a safety officer and angle the apparatus 45 degrees to protect loading
• Position apparatus to protect transport vehicles and create a Safe Work Area
• Take a minimum 1.5 lanes of traffic
• Turn apparatus wheels away from incident wheels as a safety precaution
• Place the wheel chocks on the blocking apparatus while using traffic cones 15 feet apart upstream of the apparatus, with the furthest at 75 to adequately warn the personnel
• Per PBCFR, the dispatch protocols for setting up and mainting a Safe Work Area
• Close down if needed and direct ambulatory occpants
• Use headlights and flares for vsiibiltity
• Never Stop or Park on railroad tracks by parking on the same side of the tracks as the incident

###Fireground operations and Positioning

• First due units establish where to position pumping apparatus for fire attack and water supply
• There isn’t one rule for determining positioning of apparatus on the fireground
• Safety, Water availability, Apparatus exposure, method of attack, weather, terrain,
• Guidelines of Positioning and SOG help determine the layout

###Guidelines for Apparatus Positioning at Fire:

• Rescue is the top priority if possible and water supply can dictate optimal placement due to being able to connect to pump attack lines while operating a safe effective manner
• Operating in an offesnive mode requires closer apparatus for ease of access and defensively greater distance must be covered while take into account the collapse zone equal of 1 1/2 times the building height
• Account for weather and wind
• Paved surfaces over unpaved surfaces and relocation potential requires proper preparation
• Park apparatus out of fireground area and do not block the the fire scene, generally from from the front building and maintenance access for hoselines

###Backng Apparatus:

• When not needed drive though, these accidents can have serious results for potential accidents and guidelines specified on the PBCFR and the safety circle guidelines
• Only done after Safety Circle completed to ensure travel
• Must have assistance and follow their directions, when it's not available use the camera as an assistance
• Eye Contact must be maintained and verbal communication between driver is critical and if not stopped it's critical that the driver stops the vehicle
• Additional precautions activate warning lights and the horn

###PBCFR Backing Hand Signals

• Straight Back: One hand above the shoulders with palm toward face, waving back, Other hand at your side
• Turn: Both arms pointing in the same direction. Driver will verbally advise the backup
• Stop: Single arm fully extended above head with hand in a fist

###Water Sources

• Essential that the Operator is able to obtain from water from the sources from the water system such as tank supply hydrant and drafting system
• Along with water tanks or cisterns, water shuttle and relay operations
• Driver designation follows is always in line with the type of designation and notify of 50% or 25% tanks to follow safety

###Tank Supply

• Engines have 750 or 1,000 gallons, Aerial have 500 gallons, Brush Trucks 500 and 750 gallons, Tenders 3,000 gallons, rescues pumpers and 600 series Brush Trucks 300 gallons
• Flowing 150 GPM from the water tank takes 5 minutes to run out from a standard apparatus of 750 gallon water tank
• Do not supply more than 200 and master streams or FDC should not be supplied

###Emergency Evacuation

• Code 210-21 is for the Communications and Management, the team for Emergency Evacuation should be used to safely alert all individuals involved to rally safety
  • Sounds Alerts and Traffic
• Unit on scene shall blast the train horns on intermittent 10 second blows followed by another 10 seconds of silence for 50 seconds
  • Alert Center shall shall advise all who work with the system and advise to evacauate the building immediately

###Hydrants

• Is used to reliably provide a large source of water is needed after 1800 for fire fighting operations with 18 thousands of hydrants with 2.5 port and 4.3 streamer openings equipped and fitted with NSC design when operating, remember to stand behind the hydrant PBCFR provides hydrant data through their website and have a legend available under the
• Green hydrant symbol for operations and Red for non operational and dry is orange, all in the water software locator system, if needed or use another size to best maintain fire safety
• Water from the utility company needs to be notified to determine water and fire flow
• Drive between 10-15 miles to prevent dropping while each section weigh over 100lbs while off to the side as the before charging.

###Static Water from Hydrants

• They are the type identified for their unique type and purple/pink color and aren't secure.
• Used are last result use the tool identify the types of drafting

###Fire Ground Hydraulics

###Tools and Equipment

PBCFR Fire Supression Apparatus

• Task Force Tips
  • Automatic nozzles
    • Capable of variable flows while maintaining the same nozzle -Nozzle pressure for the TFT is 100 psi —Size 1- 1 1/2" 70-200 GPM 2- 2 1/2" 95-300 GPM 3-Master stream 150- 1250 GPM
• Note" When discharges the 11/2 the TFT flow the stream by 100psi
  • Ferraras have an 8- psi
  • Adjust the nozzel pressure based on 70- 120
  • Remember to do GPM calculations