Roadside Safety SOP

Roadside Safety SOG #2402

• This document outlines safety procedures for firefighters and emergency medical personnel working in or near moving traffic.
• The document aims to provide a safer environment for personnel by establishing a protected work zone and employing specific traffic control measures.

Definitions

• Downstream: The direction traffic is moving away from the incident scene.
• Upstream: The direction traffic is traveling from as it approaches the incident scene.
• High Volume or High Speed Roadway: Any roadway with multiple lanes and speeds exceeding 50 mph.
• Lane Taper: The merging of several lanes of moving traffic into fewer lanes.
• Shadow: The protected work zone shielded by blocking apparatus and emergency vehicles.
• Protected Work Zone: The physical area on a roadway where emergency personnel perform tasks related to vehicle-related incidents (fire, EMS, rescue).
• Transition Zone: The lanes of a roadway where approaching motorists adjust their speed and position to comply with traffic control measures.

General Concepts

• Responder safety is the paramount priority.
• Traffic Safety Vest Use: Worn except when firefighters are actively wearing SCBA.
• Minimize vision impairment for approaching motorists at night by reducing unnecessary lighting.
• Establish advanced warning and traffic control measures upstream of the incident to reduce approaching motorist speeds.
• Parking Restrictions: After blocking, additional vehicles should not be parked in adjacent lanes, across active lanes, or on opposite sides of a highway unless a new work zone is established.

Establishing a Protected Work Zone

• Command: Establish command at the incident scene.
• First Arriving Apparatus Placement:
  • Position apparatus to create a protected work zone.
  • Block at least one lane beyond the obstruction caused by the crashed vehicle(s).
• Blocking Apparatus Positioning:
  • Angle apparatus to "block to the left" or "block to the right" creating a physical barrier between the crash scene and approaching traffic.
  • Turn front wheels away from the incident.
  • If equipped, operate rear directional arrow sequencing lights in the appropriate direction.
• Cone Placement:
  • On slower moving roadways, deploy cones at 25-foot intervals upstream of the blocking apparatus, with the furthest cone at least 100 feet upstream.
  • On high-speed roadways, use flares or additional cones, with the furthest cone approximately 250 feet upstream.
• EMS Unit Position:
  • Position EMS units within the protected work zone, behind the crash vehicle, with the patient loading door angled away from traffic lanes.
  • If the EMS unit is first on scene, it should position as a blocking vehicle, with the patient loading door angled away from traffic.
• Minor Motor Vehicle Accidents on High-Speed Roadways:
  • If all occupants have no injuries, safely move all drivable vehicles away from the freeway to a designated Accident Investigation Site minimizing traffic interference.
  • Notify SAPD about the designated Accident Investigation Site.
  • If injuries are reported or at least one vehicle is not drivable, implement blocking apparatus and all safety precautions.
  • Maintain situational awareness.
  • Keep personnel, equipment, and patients within the "shadow" created by the blocking apparatus at all times.

Roadside Safety SOP Policy #2402

• The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) has a policy to ensure responder safety when working near moving traffic.
• The policy applies to all responders, including firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and other emergency personnel who work near roadways.
• SAFD policy emphasizes protecting personnel from vehicles when working at accidents, fires, hazardous material incidents and medical calls.
• The Incident Commander is responsible for ensuring blocking apparatus stays on scene until all vehicles working downstream are cleared and leaving the incident site.

Roadside Safety Terminology

• Advance Warning: Notifying approaching motorists of upcoming emergency control measures.
• Block: Positioning a fire apparatus at an angle to create a barrier between oncoming traffic and responders.
• Block to the Left/Right: Positioning an apparatus at a 30-degree angle to the traffic flow to encourage drivers to navigate around the apparatus in a safe direction.
• Buffer Zone: The space between personnel and moving traffic.
• Class II Safety Vest: High visibility vests for emergency personnel working in high-risk situations.
• Downstream/Upstream: Downstream is the direction of traffic movement away from the incident, while upstream is the direction of traffic approach.
• High Volume or High Speed Roadway: A roadway with multiple lanes and speeds exceeding 50 mph.
• Lane Taper: Merging traffic lanes to reduce the number of moving lanes.
• Shadow: The protected work zone shielded by blocking apparatus and other emergency vehicles from oncoming traffic.
• Protected Work Zone: The physical area of a roadway where emergency personnel perform tasks.
• Transition Zone: The lanes where approaching motorists adjust their speed and position according to traffic control measures.

General Concepts Regarding Roadside Safety

• Responder safety is paramount.
• Scene size-up and the implementation of appropriate tactics to protect responders from traffic is crucial.
• At night scenes, reduce all sources of vision impairment for approaching drivers, including headlights, wigwags, and unnecessary lighting.
• Wear traffic safety vests at all times except when actively fighting fires and wearing a SCBA.
• Upstream traffic control measures, such as cones and flares, are essential for slowing approaching vehicles, considering topography to enhance warning effectiveness.
• Park additional vehicles only in designated areas creating new work zones with additional blocking vehicles.

Establishing a Protected Work Zone

• Establish Command.
• Position the first apparatus to create a safe work zone, shielding patients and responders from traffic.
• Ensure the initial apparatus blocks at least one additional lane beyond the obstruction of the accident vehicle(s).
• Use the "block to the left" or "block to the right" technique to create a barrier between the crash scene and oncoming traffic.
• Front wheels of the blocking apparatus should face away from the incident.
• Utilize rear directional arrow sequencing lights if equipped.
• Deploy cones at 25-foot intervals upstream, with the furthest cone at least 100 feet upstream for slower traffic, and 250 feet upstream for high-speed roadways.
• Large apparatus positioning ensures a safe parking zone for EMS units and other fire vehicles, keeping personnel, equipment, and patients within the "shadow."

Specific Guidelines for Incidents on High Speed Roadways

• After rapid assessment and confirmation of no injuries, move all drivable vehicles away from the freeway to a designated Accident Investigation Site, minimizing highway traffic interference.
• Notify SAPD of the designated Accident Investigation Site for vehicle relocation.
• If injuries are reported or a vehicle is undrivable, utilize blocking apparatus and safety precautions to ensure a safe work environment.

EMS Unit Positioning

• Position EMS units within the protected work zone, angling the rear patient loading door away from traffic lanes as much as possible.
• If EMS is first on scene, position the unit as a blocking vehicle, angled away from traffic.
• The first arriving fire apparatus should block upstream of the EMS unit, placing it within the protected zone.
• EMS units shall not cancel or release responding fire apparatus designated for blocking as long as they are in a dangerous area.
• Two or more sides of the incident require protection at intersections or if the event is near the middle lane of the roadway.

Individual Roles and Responsibilities

• Incident Commander

  • Assesses the environment and requests additional blocking units if needed.
  • Transfers command to company officer or Battalion Chief.
  • Ensures all unnecessary emergency lighting is turned off.
  • Ensures directional arrow light (if equipped) is functioning correctly.
  • Ensures all workers not involved in firefighting wear their safety vests.
  • Designates a crewmember for deploying traffic warning devices.
  • Liaises with SAPD to assess lane closure needs and traffic flow direction.
  • Serves as Scene Safety Officer until delegated.
  • Continuously assesses traffic, access, fire control, and extrication situations.
  • Ensures all non-blocking fire department units are within the protected work zone.
  • Coordinates with SAPD for demobilization, ensuring no SAFD units remain after blocking units leave.

• Responding Crews

  • Don appropriate PPE before exiting fire vehicles.
  • Exit apparatus from the protected "shadow" side, away from moving traffic whenever possible.
  • Remain vigilant about moving traffic and alert fellow firefighters when walking around apparatus.

• Communication Personnel

  • Dispatch an engine and a ladder to all road-related incidents on high-volume or high-speed roadways.
  • Do not cancel or release responding fire apparatus designated for blocking as long as they are in a dangerous area.
  • Squads should not be dispatched alone to provide blocking for roadside emergencies.
  • If the Incident Commander needs additional blocking, dispatch the closest Engine or Ladder unit.

Policy Revision and Conflicts

• These guidelines provide guidance but allow for company officer discretion.
• The guidelines remain subject to revisions to maintain efficiency and effective emergency vehicle placement at traffic incidents.
• In case of conflicts with prior correspondence, these guidelines supersede.

This quiz focuses on the safety procedures outlined in SOG #2402 for firefighters and emergency medical personnel working in traffic environments. It covers essential definitions and strategies to create protected work zones and ensure the safety of personnel near high-speed roadways.