24 Questions
What is the effective date of the Standard Operating Guidelines?
April 1, 2017
When is the due for revision date of the Standard Operating Guidelines?
October, 2024
What is the purpose of the Standard Operating Guidelines?
To provide necessary information and procedures for the safe positioning of emergency vehicles on scenes
What does the Standard Operating Guidelines identify?
Parking practices for fire department apparatus
What is the policy of the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District regarding the positioning of apparatus at the scene of emergencies?
To position apparatus in a manner that best protects the work area and personnel from vehicle traffic and other hazards
What should all personnel understand and appreciate according to the Standard Operating Guidelines?
The high risk that firefighters are exposed to when operating in or near moving vehicle traffic
What is the purpose of operating from a defensive posture?
To enhance safety when exposed to vehicle traffic
What is the last revised date of the Standard Operating Guidelines?
October 1, 2021
What does the Standard Operating Guidelines aim to provide for the safe positioning of emergency vehicles on scenes?
Necessary information and procedures
What does the Standard Operating Guidelines replace?
Table of Contents
What is the purpose of identifying multiple approaches for apparatus parking in the Standard Operating Guidelines?
To keep personnel safe while exposed to vehicle traffic
What is the revision number of the Standard Operating Guidelines?
4
What is considered a threat to safety during emergency operations?
Moving traffic
What is particularly hazardous during nighttime operations?
Reduced visibility and confusion caused by flashing emergency lights
What do emergency lights tend to do to civilian drivers as they approach the scene?
Blind them
What are benchmarks for safe performance in traffic during emergency operations?
Maintaining acute awareness, proper protective parking, and wearing reflective vests or PPE with reflective striping
How should the first arriving apparatus with a side-mounted pump panel be positioned?
Angled to protect the pump operator
Why should all emergency lights be left on during operations?
To provide warning to drivers
Where should personnel exit the apparatus during operations?
Curb side or non-traffic side
Where should the EMS unit be placed for protection during operations?
“Downstream” or past the incident in the direction of traffic flow
What should be placed at the scene to direct traffic as required?
Traffic cones
What pose a high risk to emergency personnel due to higher speeds and significant traffic volume?
Interstate emergencies
What should be used to block the scene and provide a safe work area for interstate emergencies?
Fire apparatus
Why should traffic lanes be cleared as soon as safely possible?
To restore proper traffic flow
Study Notes
Safety Concerns and Benchmarks for Operating in Traffic During Emergency Scenes
- Moving traffic is considered a threat to safety during emergency operations.
- Nighttime operations are particularly hazardous due to reduced visibility and the confusion caused by flashing emergency lights.
- Studies have shown that emergency lights tend to blind civilian drivers as they approach the scene.
- Benchmarks for safe performance in traffic include maintaining acute awareness, proper protective parking, and wearing reflective vests or PPE with reflective striping.
- Apparatus should be positioned to protect the scene, patients, and emergency personnel, and provide a protected work area, with adequate parking space for other fire apparatus.
- At intersections or where the incident may be near the middle of the street, all exposed sides should be blocked to protect the scene.
- The first arriving apparatus with a side-mounted pump panel should angle the apparatus to protect the pump operator.
- All emergency lights should be left on during operations to provide warning to drivers, and personnel should exit the curb side or non-traffic side of the apparatus whenever possible.
- The EMS unit should be placed “downstream” or past the incident in the direction of traffic flow for protection and easy access away from the scene.
- Traffic cones should be placed at the scene to direct traffic as required, and all traffic lanes should be cleared as soon as safely possible to restore proper traffic flow.
- Interstate emergencies pose a high risk to emergency personnel due to higher speeds and significant traffic volume.
- For interstate emergencies, fire apparatus should be used to block the scene and provide a safe work area, with traffic cones placed farther apart to allow adequate warning to drivers.
Test your knowledge of safety concerns and benchmarks for operating in traffic during emergency scenes with this quiz. Learn about the measures to protect emergency personnel and patients, and the safe positioning of apparatus to maintain traffic flow and prevent accidents.
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