Hoffman Estates Fire Department Road Safety Operations

Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of initial cone placement in a TIMA scenario?

Incident Space

Transition Area and Buffer Space (correct)

Traffic Flow area

Termination Area

Who is responsible for communicating with Dispatch or HEPD on the availability of personnel for advanced warning system placement?

Fire Department personnel

Incident Commander (correct)

HEPD personnel

IDOT personnel

Under what circumstances may the Incident Commander approve the use of flares instead of cones?

During inclement weather (correct)

When roadways are closed by authorities

During nighttime operations

When the scope of the incident is small

Who has the discretion to consider exceptions to the TIMA policy?

Incident Commander Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Hoffman Estates Police Department (HEPD) in a TIMA scenario?

Placing the advanced warning system (signs and cones) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using sign boards and vehicles in advance of the incident in the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority or IDOT jurisdiction?

To protect the scene of roadway incidents Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario would the use of signs or cones not be warranted?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Fire Department personnel in a TIMA scenario if HEPD is unavailable?

Placing the advanced warning system (signs and cones) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of shutting down an extra lane of traffic, if available?

To create a safe zone for crews to work Signup and view all the answers

When positioning fire apparatus, what is the primary concern?

Protecting the pump operator from exposure to traffic Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of positioning additional arriving apparatus in the protected incident space?

To create a safe zone for emergency responders and equipment Signup and view all the answers

Where should the Squad 22 be positioned in relation to the incident?

Downstream in front of the incident Signup and view all the answers

How should the patient loading doors of ambulances be angled in relation to traffic?

Away from the nearest lanes of moving traffic Signup and view all the answers

Where should the Shift Commander's vehicle be located in relation to the incident?

Just in front of the blocking engine creating the safe position Signup and view all the answers

In an accident with entrapment, where should extra engines and towers be positioned?

At the rear of the incident scene as blocking vehicles Signup and view all the answers

How much space should be left between each blocking vehicle in the rear of the incident?

50 feet Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended practice for personnel exiting and/or entering their apparatus?

From the protected 'shadow' side (away from moving traffic) whenever possible Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum personal protective equipment required for members working on a roadway incident?

Full turnout gear Signup and view all the answers

What should personnel do before opening doors and stepping out of emergency vehicles?

Look toward the traffic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the buffer space in a TIMA?

To provide a safe work area for emergency responders Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the area where the incident takes place?

Incident Space Signup and view all the answers

What is the direction of traffic flow away from the incident?

Downstream Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a large vehicle used to create a safe zone?

Blocking Apparatus Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended practice for personnel placing and retrieving cones and signs?

Facing oncoming traffic Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the guideline for Road Safety Operations?

To ensure the protection of Fire Department personnel while operating near moving traffic. Signup and view all the answers

What does Traffic Incident Management (TIM) primarily aim to do?

To provide maximum protection for personnel operating in moving traffic environments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a key approach mentioned to keep emergency responders safe?

Operating within a protected environment at vehicle-related incidents. Signup and view all the answers

According to the guideline, what should responders always consider when near traffic?

Moving vehicles as a threat to their safety. Signup and view all the answers

What does the guideline recommend regarding emergency vehicles positioned at incident scenes?

They must be positioned to protect both the work area and road users. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of moving traffic quickly past an emergency incident?

Reduction of chances for secondary crashes. Signup and view all the answers

How often should emergency responders re-evaluate their positioning strategies at incidents?

As per the re-evaluation date set in the guidelines. Signup and view all the answers

What should be prioritized according to the guidelines while responders operate at roadway incidents?

Safety for all road users and efficient traffic management. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the provided content, what is the primary objective of establishing a safe position or "block" for emergency response vehicles?

To ensure a safe and protected work environment for emergency responders. Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum distance an emergency vehicle should be placed from the incident area?

100 feet Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended angle for positioning an emergency vehicle to create a "shadow" from approaching traffic?

20-30 degrees Signup and view all the answers

In situations where the safe position or "block" creates a transition space, what should be used to communicate the transition?

Traffic cones Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following factors DOES NOT directly influence the positioning of an emergency vehicle in a safe position or "block"?

The number of emergency personnel responding Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a rule outlined in the text regarding apparatus placement?

Utilize the maximum number of lanes available for safe positioning Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions does NOT influence the determination of a safe position or "block"?

The number of emergency vehicles responding Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using cones when establishing a safe position or "block"?

To guide oncoming traffic around the incident scene safely. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Road Safety Operations

The purpose of this guideline is to ensure the protection of Fire Department personnel while operating in or near moving traffic environments.

Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Practices

TIM practices aim to provide maximum protection for personnel operating in or near moving vehicle traffic.
They identify approaches for individual practices to keep emergency responders safe when working on or near roadways.

Positioning Apparatus and Emergency Vehicles

Apparatus and emergency vehicles should be positioned at an emergency incident in a manner that best protects the incident scene and the work area.
This positioning should also protect road users and allow traffic to flow expeditiously past or around the emergency incident.

Safety Precautions

Emergency responders should always operate within a protected environment at any vehicle-related roadway incident.
Responders should consider moving vehicles as a threat to their safety.
Traffic cones will be used to communicate the following areas of TIMA:
- Transition Area
- Buffer Space
- Incident Space
- Termination Area

Initial Cone Placement

Initial cone placement should focus on the transition area and buffer space.
During inclement weather, Incident Command may approve the use of flares off.

Exceptions to Policy

Exceptions to this policy will be considered at the discretion of the Incident Commander in certain situations, such as:
- Roadways are closed by authorities and there is no traffic traveling within the incident scene.
- The scope of the incident and the time frame that companies will be on the scene do not warrant the use of signs or cones.
- There would be a significant safety hazard in placing personnel in high-trafficked/high-speed roadways.

Advanced Warning System

The Hoffman Estates Police Department (HEPD) will be responsible for placing the advanced warning system (signs and cones) on roadway incidents.
If HEPD is unavailable, Fire Department personnel will complete the required placement of the warning system.

Apparatus and Emergency Vehicle Benchmarks

The initial-arriving responder and/or the Incident Commander must complete critical apparatus and vehicle benchmarks to assure a safe and protected work environment.
The initial safe position or “block” should be established to create a protected work area or “shadow”.
The exact position and location of the safe position or “block” will be dictated by factors such as:
- Type and magnitude of the emergency
- Type and function of the emergency response vehicle
- Roadway type and design
- Posted speed of the roadway
- Topography of the roadway and the area
- Time of day and weather conditions
- Emergency activities in the roadway

Safe Position or Blocking

The tactical priorities of the safe position or “block” should involve:
- Placing the apparatus at least 100’ from the incident area
- Positioning the vehicle at a 20-30 degree angle with the wheels turned
- Using cones to communicate the transition space
- Slowing approaching motorists and redirecting them around the scene
- Taking only the necessary lanes and shutting down an extra lane of traffic (if available) to create a safe zone

Additional Apparatus Placement

Additional arriving apparatus and emergency vehicles should be placed in the protected incident space whenever possible.
Specific placement instructions apply to:
- Squad 22
- Tower Ladder (TWR22 or RTWR22)
- Ambulances
- Shift Commander’s vehicle

Personnel Safety

Personnel responding to roadway incidents must be readily identifiable and visible.
Members working on any roadway incident must wear full turnout gear or a Class II vest.
Always look toward the traffic before opening doors and stepping out of emergency vehicles.
Be alert to the proximity to moving traffic when walking around an emergency vehicle.
Place and retrieve cones and signs while facing oncoming traffic.

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Description

This quiz assesses knowledge of the Hoffman Estates Fire Department's Standard Operating Guidelines for Road Safety Operations, including safety protocols and NIMS compliance.