Emergency Vehicle Operation Overview

Questions and Answers

What is the most common class for EVOC?

Class 3

What is the weight for Class 1 vehicles?

0-10,000 pounds

What is the weight for Class 2 vehicles?

10,001 - 26,000 pounds

What is the weight for Class 3 vehicles?

26,001+ pounds Signup and view all the answers

What are Class 1 apparatus?

Cars and small vehicles Signup and view all the answers

What are Class 2 apparatus?

Most ambulances and smaller fire apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What are Class 3 apparatus?

Large fire apparatus and heavy rescue vehicles Signup and view all the answers

What are Class 4 apparatus?

Tractor drawn apparatus, such as aerials Signup and view all the answers

What are Class 5 apparatus?

Aircraft rescue and fire fighting apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of people without driver training experience are related in crashes?

62% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of EMS calls are NOT actually emergencies?

95% Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of EMS calls ARE actual emergencies?

1-5% Signup and view all the answers

When does the public view you the most?

While driving Signup and view all the answers

Your agency's best or worst public relations agent is:

Yourself Signup and view all the answers

What happens when you get into a crash en-route or returning from the call?

The emergency efforts to the original scene are delayed, and you create a new scene. Signup and view all the answers

A few examples of bad public relations are:

Improper language; gestures, unkempt appearance, impatience in dealing with the public Signup and view all the answers

What is defensive driving?

Driving to prevent crashes in spite of incorrect actions of others or adverse conditions Signup and view all the answers

What is one big reason why defensive driving is more important than ever?

Distractions Signup and view all the answers

What are the proper hand positions while driving?

9 & 3 OR 8 & 4 Signup and view all the answers

What type of steering should you utilize?

Shuffle steering Signup and view all the answers

Why is shuffle steering so important?

It keeps your hands and arms out of the way of airbags Signup and view all the answers

Why should you not use hazards while moving?

Most turn signals won't operate while hazard flashers are on Signup and view all the answers

What can abrupt stops do?

Cause injury, mechanical failure, and skidding Signup and view all the answers

For a vehicle with anti-lock brakes, how should you brake?

Steady pressure applied to brake pedal Signup and view all the answers

For a vehicle with anti-lock brakes, what is important to make sure you do not do?

Pump the brakes Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for stopping distance?

R.D (reaction distance) + B.D (braking distance) = S.D (stopping distance) Signup and view all the answers

When speed and size increase, how is braking distance affected?

Braking distance increases with vehicle size and speed Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula for following distance?

3 Second Rule (1001, 1002, 1003) Signup and view all the answers

What should you do as the size and speed of your vehicle increase while following?

Increase your following distance Signup and view all the answers

How long ahead should you look for a hazard?

12 seconds Signup and view all the answers

What should you do with the SMITH system?

Aim high in steering, get the big picture, keep eyes moving, allow an out, keep vehicle visible Signup and view all the answers

People have a better response with sirens when ___?

The siren/tone changes pitch often Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective way to use sirens?

Short bursts of air horns and constant up-and-down siren oscillation Signup and view all the answers

What must you make sure you don't do while driving?

Outrun the sirens Signup and view all the answers

What is a five-step approach to safe driving?

SIPDE: Sense or Search, Identify, Predict, Decide, Execute Signup and view all the answers

The safety of others is whose responsibility?

The drivers Signup and view all the answers

What does the Good Samaritan Law NOT apply to?

Emergency vehicle operation Signup and view all the answers

What is negligence?

Any action which violates a standard of practice or care Signup and view all the answers

What must be present for negligence to have been found?

Duty to act, breach of duty, injury or loss Signup and view all the answers

What must you always operate a vehicle with?

Due regard Signup and view all the answers

What must present for there to be exemptions from traffic codes?

Due regard Signup and view all the answers

What is the Virginia Code § 46.2-829 for?

Approach of law-enforcement or fire-fighting vehicles, rescue vehicles, or ambulances; violation as failure to yield right-of-way Signup and view all the answers

What is the Virginia Code § 46.2-844 for?

Passing stopped school buses; penalty; prima facie evidence Signup and view all the answers

What is the Virginia Code § 46.2-890 for?

Stopping in vicinity of fire or emergency Signup and view all the answers

What is the Virginia Code § 46.2-894 for?

Duty of driver to stop, etc. in event of accident involving injury or death or damage to attended property Signup and view all the answers

What is the Virginia Code § 46.2-920 for?

Emergency vehicles exempt from regulations in certain situations; exception and additional requirements Signup and view all the answers

What is the safest practice for clearing an intersection?

Coming to a complete stop at ALL intersections Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-922 for?

Makes it unlawful for any vehicle to drive over unprotected fire hose without consent of the fire department command officer Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-1023 for?

Authorizes use of red or red and white warning lights on fire apparatus, rescue vehicles, and ambulances Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-1024 for?

Authorizes use of flashing or steady-burning red or red and white warning lights on ONE privately owned vehicle of fire fighters and rescue squad personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-1040 for?

Hazard lights/four-ways Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-1061 for?

Sirens or exhaust whistles on emergency vehicles Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-1078 for?

Unlawful to operate motor vehicle, bicycle, electric personal assistive mobility device, electric power-assisted bicycle, or moped while using earphones Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-1239 for?

Prohibiting parking near certain fire hydrants Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 46.2-1239 for?

Parking in certain location; penalty (fire hydrants) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Commonwealth of Virginia define as an emergency?

The Commonwealth of Virginia does not define what constitutes an emergency. Due regard is needed Signup and view all the answers

What can individual agencies/department policies not allow under Virginia Law?

They cannot legally allow any other exemptions to Virginia Code Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 18.2-174.1 for?

Willfully impersonates certified emergency medical services personnel, firefighter Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 18.2-212 for?

Calling or summoning ambulance or fire-fighting apparatus without just cause; maliciously activating fire alarms in public buildings; venue Signup and view all the answers

What is Virginia Code § 18.2-414.1 for?

Obstructing members of rescue squad in performance of mission Signup and view all the answers

What is the safest way to clear intersections?

Come to a complete stop at ALL intersections! Signup and view all the answers

Where is your closest danger while driving?

On your left side (drivers side) Signup and view all the answers

What MUST you do when approaching a stopped school bus?

STOP! Signup and view all the answers

What must you wait for before passing a school bus?

You must wait for the red warning lights to deactivate and the driver to signal you to pass Signup and view all the answers

What should you not do when driving?

Take short cuts Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why you should not take shortcuts?

Neighborhood residents (children) are not used to emergency vehicles and rush to the street to see the action Signup and view all the answers

What is Sirencide?

The emotional reaction of emergency vehicle drivers when they begin to feel a sense of power and urgency that blocks out reason and prudence, leading to reckless operation of the emergency vehicle Signup and view all the answers

How can you prevent Sirencide?

Know that it happens and guard against it Signup and view all the answers

What is the most effective warning light(s) you have?

HEADLIGHTS Signup and view all the answers

When following other emergency vehicles, how far must you remain between you and them?

500 feet at a minimum Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when following another emergency vehicle?

Use a different siren tone than the other vehicle(s) Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common cause of vehicle crashes?

Driver error Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common location for vehicle crashes?

Intersections Signup and view all the answers

What type of vehicle crash accounts for more fatalities, injuries, and property damage?

Two vehicle Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of serious vehicle crashes occur at intersections?

70% Signup and view all the answers

What should you use when backing (when possible)?

Spotter Signup and view all the answers

What braking technique is NOT recommended for vehicles equipped with ABS (anti-lock braking system)?

Pumping Signup and view all the answers

What are the types of skids?

Front Wheel, Rear Wheel, Four Wheel, Power Skid, Spin Out, Hydroplaning Signup and view all the answers

How can you regain control of a front wheel skid?

Let off brake Signup and view all the answers

How can you regain control of a rear wheel skid?

Let off brake, counter steer Signup and view all the answers

How can you regain control of a power skid?

Let off gas, counter steer (if sliding) Signup and view all the answers

What is hydroplaning?

When tires ride on fluids instead of the road surface Signup and view all the answers

At what speeds can hydroplaning occur?

Can begin at 30 MPH Signup and view all the answers

What type of protection do pedestrians have in a crash?

None, they have no protection Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 classes of traffic incidents?

Major, Intermediate, Minor Signup and view all the answers

How long is the timeframe for a major traffic incident?

An expected duration of more than two hours Signup and view all the answers

How long is the timeframe for an intermediate traffic incident?

Expected duration of anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours Signup and view all the answers

How long is the timeframe for a minor traffic incident?

Expected duration under 30 minutes Signup and view all the answers

How should you position your apparatus when staging at the scene?

Uphill, upwind (if possible) Signup and view all the answers

What may you need to do with calls on the highway?

Block traffic, and cooperate/coordinate with law enforcement Signup and view all the answers

When arriving at a scene, how should you position your apparatus?

Blocking left and right, guarding the scene and the crew, at an angle, and turning wheels away from the incident Signup and view all the answers

If available, what should you do when parked at an incident scene?

Turn off all forward-facing lights Signup and view all the answers

How should you work on a scene on the road?

Work on the side away from traffic Signup and view all the answers

What must traffic vests be compliant with?

ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Signup and view all the answers

What is one requirement for traffic vests to be compliant with ANSI?

They must be break-away Signup and view all the answers

What size must cones be at a minimum?

28" minimum, though 36" suggested Signup and view all the answers

At a minimum, how many cones should an apparatus be able to deploy?

5 cones and 200' taper Signup and view all the answers

How many feet should be between cones on a scene?

50 feet Signup and view all the answers

How many feet should a safety cone be placed behind an apparatus?

10 feet Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

EVOC Class Overview

Class 1 vehicles weigh 0-10,000 pounds and include cars and small vehicles.
Class 2 vehicles range from 10,001 to 26,000 pounds, often comprising most ambulances and smaller fire apparatus.
Class 3 vehicles exceed 26,001 pounds and consist of large fire apparatus and heavy rescue vehicles.
Class 4 includes tractor-drawn apparatus, like aerials, while Class 5 pertains to aircraft rescue and firefighting apparatus.

Driver Safety Statistics

62% of crashes involve individuals without driver training experience.
95% of EMS calls are not actual emergencies, with only 1-5% being true emergencies.

Public Relations and Defensive Driving

Public perception is most impactful while in transit; drivers represent their agencies.
Key components of defensive driving include awareness of distractions and proactive techniques to prevent crashes.

Driving Techniques

Recommended hand positions during driving are 9 & 3 or 8 & 4 for optimal control.
Shuffle steering helps keep hands clear of airbags during a collision.
Avoid using hazards while in motion as they can deactivate turn signals.

Braking and Stopping Distance

Maintain steady pressure for braking in vehicles equipped with anti-lock brakes.
Stopping distance is calculated as Reaction Distance + Braking Distance.
Braking distance increases with both vehicle size and speed.

Following Distance and Hazard Awareness

Follow the 3-second rule (counting 1001, 1002, 1003) to maintain safe following distance, especially as vehicle size and speed increase.
Look 12 seconds ahead for hazards to ensure timely responses.

Safe Driving Practices

Utilize the SMITH system for safe driving, which includes aiming high in steering, keeping eyes moving, and allowing for an escape route.
Recognize that emotional factors, referred to as Sirencide, can impair sound judgment when operating emergency vehicles.

Legal Regulations and Responsibilities

Due regard is essential for exemptions from traffic codes while driving emergency vehicles; negligence is defined by a breach of duty resulting in injury or loss.
Important Virginia Codes include laws governing the yield of right-of-way to emergency vehicles, regulations around school buses, and prohibitions against obstructing rescue operations.

Traffic Incident Management

Traffic incidents classified by expected duration are Major (over 2 hours), Intermediate (30 minutes to 2 hours), and Minor (under 30 minutes).
Position emergency apparatus uphill and upwind if possible, blocking traffic effectively at incident scenes.

Personal Protection and Safety Gear

Traffic vests must comply with ANSI standards and have break-away features. Minimum cone height for road safety is 28 inches, with deployment of at least five cones and a 200-foot taper required at incident scenes.

Emergency Response Protocols

Always stop completely at all intersections to ensure safety.
When parked at incident scenes, turn off forward-facing lights and maintain an awareness of oncoming traffic to prevent accidents.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of emergency vehicle classes, driver safety statistics, and defensive driving techniques. Learn how vehicle classification impacts operation, and explore the essential skills required for safe driving in high-pressure situations.