G-HIRR Highway Responses Part 1

Unified Command

• The first arriving apparatus establishes the Command, and the Incident Commander conducts a size-up and stabilizes the scene.
• The Incident Commander's role may transition between emergency response agencies as the incident progresses.
• The Incident Commander's responsibility may shift from one agency to another, depending on the incident's requirements (e.g., medical treatment, extrication, or investigation).

Police Jurisdiction

• The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have jurisdictional authority on provincial highways.
• The OPP have the authority to remove or direct others to remove vehicles from provincial highways, with or without being present on the scene.
• Police personnel are responsible for redirecting traffic at emergency incidents.
• Until Police arrive, apparatus should be positioned to redirect traffic and protect personnel on the scene.

Traffic Control

• Traffic control is the responsibility of law enforcement personnel.
• Incident Commanders should request Police assistance for traffic control when personnel are subjected to hazardous traffic flow.
• In certain situations, TFS are not required to wait for Police to arrive (e.g., patient transported, scene stabilized, no imminent risk to public safety).
• Do not use traffic cones behind apparatus.

Apparatus Positioning

• Apparatus should be safely positioned in the vicinity of the incident location, taking into account the situation.
• Proper apparatus positioning is crucial for personnel safety.
• Apparatus should:
  • Take one traffic lane more than required for emergency operations.
  • Be positioned off the roadway and on the shoulder area as soon as possible.
  • Be angled across a roadway to close the road off from vehicular traffic in certain situations.
• On roadways with speeds less than 90 km/h, apparatus may be positioned to close the road off from vehicular traffic, with cones directing traffic flow safely around the parked apparatus.