Emergency Vehicle Operation Guidelines
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Emergency Vehicle Operation Guidelines

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Questions and Answers

What should a driver do when encountering a stopped school bus with flashing red lights?

  • Accelerate past it since they are already stopped
  • Reduce speed but continue driving carefully
  • Proceed without any caution as it is just a bus
  • Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and the arm is retracted (correct)

    • In which situation is a driver allowed to ignore traffic control signals?

  • When they are following a law enforcement officer's directions (correct)
  • At night when traffic is light
  • During a non-emergency when they are in a hurry
  • When driving an emergency vehicle without lights or sirens

    • What is the primary responsibility of the officer in the front passenger seat?

  • To operate the vehicle while maintaining speed
  • To ensure all traffic signals are obeyed by the driver
  • To provide an additional perspective and ensure safe operation (correct)
  • To distract the driver with constant conversation

    • What should a driver do before proceeding at a red light or stop sign?

    <p>Account for all lanes of traffic and any potential hazards</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action should a driver take when encountering activated railroad crossings?

    <p>Stop and remain alert until it is safe to proceed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary responsibility of the driver of an emergency vehicle?

    <p>To ensure the safe arrival at the emergency scene</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a driver do if another vehicle fails to yield the right of way?

    <p>Maintain control and do not force the issue</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding who may operate an emergency vehicle?

    <p>Department members or authorized maintenance personnel</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must drivers ensure before moving an emergency vehicle?

    <p>All personnel are seated and secured with seat belts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action must a driver take at red traffic lights during emergency response?

    <p>Bring the emergency vehicle to a complete stop</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During non-emergency situations, what must all department apparatus and vehicles utilize?

    <p>Headlights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who shares responsibility for the actions of the emergency vehicle driver?

    <p>The officer or acting officer supervising the driver</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What describes the expected behavior of civilian vehicle operators in relation to emergency vehicles?

    <p>They may not react as expected or appropriate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum speed limit an emergency vehicle may exceed while responding under favorable conditions?

    <p>The posted speed limit plus 10 mph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What action should the officer take if the driver is operating the emergency vehicle unsafely?

    <p>Instruct the driver to cease any unsafe driving practices immediately</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must drivers do when an emergency vehicle is using sirens and warning lights?

    <p>Make every possible effort to be aware of the emergency vehicle's actions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does NOT need to be confirmed by the officer before the emergency vehicle moves?

    <p>The driver is familiar with the route</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under what conditions are emergency vehicles typically authorized to exceed posted speed limits?

    <p>In favorable conditions like light traffic and good visibility</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should the officer do regarding the operation of audio and visual warning devices?

    <p>They should be operated whenever practical during emergency response</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How should drivers respond to the presence of an emergency vehicle with activated lights and sirens?

    <p>Pull over to the right and stop if safe to do so</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens if an emergency vehicle is responding in conditions that are less than favorable?

    <p>The posted speed limit must be strictly adhered to</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What speed must emergency vehicles reduce to when approaching controlled intersections if they must travel in oncoming traffic lanes?

    <p>A speed that allows for a complete stop</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When an emergency vehicle approaches a negative right-of-way intersection, what is the required action?

    <p>Come to a complete stop and ensure oncoming traffic is yielding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a driver do if an emergency vehicle approaches while they are driving?

    <p>Slow down and pull to the right</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should be done if an emergency vehicle does not receive a green light when approaching an EVP intersection?

    <p>Proceed with caution as another emergency vehicle may have priority</p> Signup and view all the answers

    During an emergency response, which of the following is the standard practice regarding passing other emergency vehicles?

    <p>Pass on the left unless a greater safety hazard is present</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must drivers of emergency vehicles do when approaching an intersection with a green traffic light but traveling in oncoming traffic lanes?

    <p>Slow down and prepare to stop if necessary</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When must emergency vehicles come to a complete stop before entering an intersection?

    <p>When using oncoming traffic lanes or medians approaching controlled intersections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the maximum speed allowed for emergency vehicles traveling in oncoming traffic lanes for longer distances?

    <p>The posted speed limit</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should a driver do if they encounter a lowered crossing gate?

    <p>Only proceed after confirmation of a malfunction by railroad personnel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Under what conditions can the retarder or Jake brake be turned off?

    <p>When driving on wet, snow, or ice-covered roads.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is correct regarding cell phone use while driving department vehicles?

    <p>Staff Officers are allowed to answer calls while driving.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the requirement for backing up vehicles in the department?

    <p>Backing is allowed only if there is no option to drive forward.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What must be done regarding wheel chocks for vehicles without a parking gear?

    <p>Chocks should be placed on the downhill side of the tire.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the protocol if a spotter is not available while backing a vehicle?

    <p>The driver must do a complete 360 walk around to identify hazards.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is prohibited inside any department vehicle?

    <p>Smoking in any form.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    When can a driver proceed through a railroad crossing with activated signals?

    <p>When maintenance or malfunction has been confirmed.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Driving Department Vehicles

    • Emergency vehicle operation depends on driver skill, experience, and officer guidance.
    • Drivers are responsible for vehicle safety, including passengers and the public.
    • Drivers must be aware that civilian drivers might not react predictably.
    • Emergency vehicles must have options for passing or overtaking other vehicles.
    • Drivers cannot force or assume right of way, even with emergency vehicle lights and sirens.
    • Officers are responsible for driver actions under their supervision.

    General Driving Requirements

    • Only department members or authorized maintenance personnel can operate emergency vehicles.
    • Drivers must meet State of Illinois driver's license requirements, as well as Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall and New Lenox Fire District's Driver's Training Policy requirements.
    • All department vehicles must use headlights in both emergency and non-emergency driving situations.

    Driver Responsibilities

    • Safe arrival of the vehicle at the emergency scene is the driver's top priority.
    • All personnel must be seated and secured with seatbelts in approved positions before moving the vehicle.
    • Drivers must come to a complete stop before proceeding:
      • At red traffic lights
      • At stop signs
      • At blind intersections without traffic control
      • Before entering a controlled intersection when in oncoming lanes or on a median
      • When other intersection or road hazards are present
      • When encountering a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and/or a deployed stop signal arm
      • When encountering activated railroad crossings
      • When directed by the company officer or a law enforcement officer
    • After stopping at a red light or stop sign, check all lanes of traffic before proceeding.
    • Drivers must obey all traffic control signals during non-emergency travel.
    • Drivers must be aware of their closing rate on other vehicles and pedestrians.
    • Drivers must reduce speed and use caution in construction zones, stopping if necessary when a flagger or signal is present.

    Officer Responsibility

    • The officer in the front passenger seat acts as a co-driver, providing an additional set of eyes and ears for the driver.
    • The officer is responsible for ensuring the driver operates the vehicle safely and in accordance with departmental policy and state law.
    • The officer must ensure all personnel are seated and secured with seatbelts before moving the vehicle.
    • The officer must warn the driver about road and physical hazards.
    • If driving is unsafe, the officer must direct the driver to cease unsafe actions like excess speed or poor intersection practices.
    • When practical, the officer should operate the radio, audio, and visual warning devices during response.
    • The officer should assist the driver by checking the map book or MDT to determine the safest and most direct route to the emergency scene.

    Warning Lights

    • Warning lights and headlights should be used, and the siren should be sounded during an "emergency" response, as required by the Illinois Vehicle Code.
    • The use of sirens and warning lights doesn't automatically grant the right-of-way to the emergency vehicle.
    • These devices simply request the right-of-way from other drivers, based on their awareness of the emergency vehicle's presence.
    • Drivers must make every possible effort to make their presence and intended actions known to other drivers.
    • They must drive defensively and be prepared for unexpected actions from other drivers.

    Speed Limit

    • Emergency vehicles can exceed posted speed limits when responding "emergency" under favorable conditions, including:
      • Light traffic
      • Good roads
      • Good visibility
      • Dry pavement
      • No road construction
    • The maximum speed limit shall not exceed 10 mph over the posted speed limit.
    • The posted speed limit is the absolute maximum permissible under less than favorable conditions.
    • When an emergency vehicle must travel in oncoming traffic lanes or on a median in the immediate approach to an intersection, it must slow to a speed that allows for a complete stop before entering the intersection.
    • When emergency vehicles must travel in oncoming traffic lanes for distances longer than the immediate approach to an intersection, the maximum speed is the posted speed limit.

    Intersections

    • Intersections pose the greatest potential danger to emergency vehicles.
    • When approaching and crossing a controlled intersection with the right-of-way (green light), drivers shall not exceed the posted speed limit.
    • When emergency vehicles must use oncoming traffic lanes or a median to approach controlled intersections, they must come to a complete stop before proceeding, even if they have a green light.
    • When approaching an intersection with a negative right-of-way (red light, stop sign), the vehicle must come to a complete stop and proceed only when the driver can account for all oncoming traffic in all lanes yielding the right-of-way.

    Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) Intersections

    • Drivers must be cautious when approaching an intersection with an EVP device.
    • The apparatus should be given a green traffic light when approaching an EVP-equipped intersection.
    • If the traffic light doesn't turn green, another emergency vehicle may have been given priority, or there may be a problem with the EVP device or the vehicle.

    Passing Other Vehicles

    • Drivers should avoid passing other responding emergency vehicles.
    • The Illinois Vehicle Code requires private vehicles to slow down and pull to the right when they see an approaching emergency vehicle.
    • The standard practice for the New Lenox Fire District is to pass vehicles on the left, except when doing so would create a greater safety hazard than passing on the right (risk vs. benefit).
    • If necessary to pass on the right, the driver must slow to a speed that allows for a safe and complete stop if needed.

    Railroad Crossings

    • Drivers must use caution and ensure it's safe to proceed before crossing any railroad tracks.
    • Apparatus may not drive around lowered crossing gates or proceed through a crossing with activated signals (non-gated).
    • Exceptions include:
      • When railroad personnel confirm that the gates or signals are activated due to a malfunction or maintenance.
      • When there appears to be an obvious malfunction and the company officer has left the vehicle and visually confirmed the absence of any approaching trains in either direction.

    Vehicle Retarders and Jake Brakes

    • Vehicles and apparatus equipped with engine, transmission, or driveline retarders or Jake brakes should be operated with the retarder in the "on" or "high" position.
    • Due to the slippery nature of wet, snowy, or icy roads, the retarder or brake should be placed in the "off" position when encountering these conditions.

    Cell Phone Use

    • Cell phones, personal or district, are prohibited from being answered while driving, except by Staff Officers.

    Smoking

    • Smoking is prohibited inside any department apparatus or vehicle.

    Vehicle Backing

    • Refer to NLFD SOG 2.1 Backing Apparatus for complete expectations.
    • All district apparatus require the use of a spotter while backing up.
    • Vehicles should only be backed up if they cannot drive forward.
    • When a spotter isn't available, the driver must complete a 360-degree walkaround to identify potential hazards.
    • Two spotters should be utilized on both the driver and officer's side of the vehicle when available.
    • The driver must stop immediately if they lose sight of the spotter.
    • Staff cars do not require a spotter.

    Wheel Chocks

    • All vehicles not equipped with a parking gear require a wheel chock when not at the station.
    • Wheel chocks should be placed on the downhill side of the tire.

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    Related Documents

    Driving Department Vehicles PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers essential guidelines for operating emergency vehicles, focusing on driver responsibilities, safety protocols, and state regulations. It aims to enhance understanding of the skills and experiences required for effective emergency vehicle operation. Enhance your knowledge to ensure safe and responsible driving in urgent situations.

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