TFD Vehicle & Apparatus Safety Policy

Overview

• This document outlines the policy for vehicle and apparatus safety for emergency and non-emergency activities
• Procedures include routine/priority response, safety spotters, hand signaling and aerial ladder movement
• This applies to all TFD Personnel
• This replaces TFD Policy 5006 from November 2001

Associated Documents

• FIR 336: Battalion Chief Vehicle Daily Checklist
• FIR 339: Medic Apparatus Daily Checklist
• FIR 2530 0008: Air 42 and Compressor Daily and Weekly Checklist
• FIR 2530 0015: Engine Apparatus Daily Checklist
• FIR 2530 0016: Ladder Apparatus Daily Checklist
• FIR 2530 0017: Telesquirt Apparatus Daily Checklist
• Weekly Brake Check procedure

Related TFD Information

• TFD Policy 5005: Safety Committee
• TFD Policy 5007: Vehicle, Apparatus or Specialty Trailer Accidents
• TFD Policy 5008: Accident Review Board
• TFD Policy 5009: Driver Retraining
• TFD Policy 5028: Electrical Hazards
• TFD Policy 5034: Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention

Responsibilities

• The Deputy Chief of Support Services makes sure TFD personnel are trained in vehicle, apparatus, and trailer operation
• The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety ensures TFD personnel maintain EVIP certification and maintains the document
• The Station 15 Captain schedules and documents pump testing on all TFD apparatus, excluding fireboats
• Company Officers and In-charge Firefighter/Paramedics ensure TFD drivers operate vehicles/trailers safely per the guidelines

Personnel Responsibilities

• All Drivers and personnel operating TFD vehicles/trailers must drive safely and prudently
• They must operate vehicles/trailers in compliance with state/local laws and standards
• It is necessary to use defensive driving techniques to avoid accidents
• Personnel should familiarize themselves with apparatus/trailers before operating, possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License and maintain a current EVIP certification
• Safety spotters must indicate the presence of people, objects or traffic
• The spotters should use hand signals and communication for safety
• The Fire Garage Supervisor must verify routine maintenance and emergency repairs
• The Fire Garage Supervisor should implement a preventive maintenance program and maintain records in accordance with the guidelines
• The Fire Garage Supervisor makes the final determination regarding vehicle repairs/operability

Electrical and Communications Personnel

• TFD Electrical Division personnel repair/replace remote opener equipment for station/facility bay doors per the guidelines
• TFD Fire Communications Center personnel handles requests for remote opener equipment
• FCC should contact Fire Garage personnel for vehicles/trailers stuck in snow, mud or uneven terrain

Definitions

• 360 survey means visual inspection around a vehicle/trailer for safety hazards
• Apparatus refers to mobile TFD firefighting or specialized equipment
• Arterial are roadways of one main thoroughfare
• Backing describes moving vehicles in reverse
• Chocks are rubber, metal, composite wedges for tires to avoid unintended movement
• Class I Life Safety Harness is a safety belt used by firefighters on ladders or aerial devices
• Controlled intersection has a stop sign or traffic signal
• EVIP is emergency vehicle incident prevention training for vehicles over 26,000 pounds
• MDC means mobile data computer
• Negative right-of-way intersection controlled by a stop/yield sign or red/yellow light which requires stopping before proceeding
• "Nothing Showing" situation describes a reported potential emergency with no apparent fire but is unconfirmed by TFD
• Priority response involves immediate response for emergency incidents using warning lights, sirens, and traffic control devices, according to Washington State codes
• Routine response is prompt for emergency incidents, following normal traffic laws without warning lights/sirens
• Safety spotters are TFD/law enforcement personnel outside a vehicle to assist with maneuvering in tight situations
• Specialty trailers are mobile TFD equipment like MMRS, spill, decontamination, FCC, or light trailers
• Vehicles are TFD automobiles, SUVs, or light trucks, possibly equipped for priority response
• Watercraft are vessels used to transport personnel/equipment on the water

Rules and Guidelines

• General rules state that drivers should carry licenses, obey traffic laws, drive defensively and use best judgement
• Personnel keep assigned vehicles/apparatus clean and officers are responsible for the overall vehicle operation
• TFD vehicles/trailers must be operated safely and in compliance with state codes and manufacturer guidelines
• Operators of TFD vehicles/trailers must be trained before being assigned as drivers
• Personnel should use seat belts at all times and be seated while the vehicle is in motion
• Use wheel blocks when parking the vehicle outside the station
• The only exception is for personnel providing medical care in a transport unit, restrained to the extent consistent with care

Vehicle Procedures

• Wheel blocks should be rated for the apparatus deployed, except for TFD apparatus under 20,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
• Use wheel blocks when needed such as steep/ icy conditions
• Specialty trailers not secured to tow vehicles should have wheel blocks before disconnecting
• All vehicle passengers must wear seatbelts
• Drivers should not move apparatus until officers confirm that all personnel are seated and secured
• All vehicles must have headlights on while in motion
• Drivers should turn off engines when safe and use emergency flashers as necessary, keeping in mind the battery charge
• TFD engines should be driven with monitors stowed, except for operations that require master streams monitors, which must be returned to stowed position afterwards

Stuck Vehicles

• If a vehicle is in snow, mud, or uneven terrain FCC should be contacted and the unit placed out of service.
• Do not spin the tires or "rock" the vehicle
• Upon notification of a stuck vehicle, FCC personnel must contact Fire Garage and notify the Battalion Chief
• TFD employees should not don/doff turnout gear while vehicles/apparatus are in motion, be in a hose bed while the apparatus is in forward motion deploying the hose or ride on tailboards
• TFD personnel are prohibited from using I-Pods, MP-3s, Blackberries, or similar devices while driving TFD vehicles
• Usage of the air horn(s) and siren(s) should be reserved to priority response and other appropriate circumstances
• Parking on sidewalks or private driveways are prohibited, with an exception for medic units responding to emergency incidents
• Cell phone usage is permitted only in accordance with current Washington state law
• Drivers should conduct daily/weekly operational checks and document findings
• A weekly check should include a brake inspection
• Any item in need of repair should be reported to the Officer, In-charge Firefighter/Paramedic or relevant supervisor
• Officers should consult with the Garage Supervisor to determine whether or not vehicles/apparatus can be used in a safe manner
• The Fire Garage Supervisor can keep or take the vehicle out of service
• Officers should ensure compliance with daily check requirements
• The Fire Garage Supervisor should have a preventive maintenance program in place

Priority and Routine Response

• Priority response is authorized for emergency situations dispatched to a TFD unit
• Only vehicles equipped with warning lights and sirens should respond or transport priority
• Vehicles should not respond in priority response mode while towing a trailer
• Drivers should turn on lights, use sirens, use Opticom, make their presence known and be prepared for unexpected actions
• Use of sirens/warning lights does not give the right-of-way or remove the driver's responsibility
• When a unit reports "nothing showing" additional units respond but do not exceed the speed limit
• The first arriving unit will advise additional units to slow to a routine response as appropriate
• During a routine response comply with traffic laws, respond without lights/sirens/traffic controls, and obey speed limits
• Safe driving should always be the priority
• Exceeding the speed limit is only permitted when there is light traffic, the roads are in good repair with good visibility and dry pavement

Allowable Speed Parameters

• When traffic conditions require vehicles to travel in the center or oncoming lanes, the maximum speed is 20 mph
• When traveling on arterials the maximum allowable speed is 10 mph over the limit when conditions allow
• When traveling on freeways the maximum allowable speed is the posted speed limit, unless driving conditions warrant a reduction
• Warning devices should be used at the discretion of the Officer or In-charge Firefighter/Paramedic.

Driving At Intersections and Use of Safety Spotters

• When nearing a negative right-of-way intersection, drivers must stop and proceed with caution after yielding
• When using the center or on-coming lanes for traffic in a controlled intersection, drivers must stop before preceding
• Safety spotters should be used when backing, making forward turns with restraints in place, with height or diminished clearance or when the angle of arrival is unclear
• Safety spotters are used when operating aerial equipped apparatus
• If no spotters are available the driver must take a 360 degree survey
• The primary spotter should be located to the car’s rear left
• Additional spotters should be located off the remaining vehicle corners
• If more than one spotter is used the driver must maintain voice and visual contact
• Do not ride the tailboard of the vehicle Safety spotters should use standard audible signals when using a cord reel buzzer
  • One long buzz means STOP
  • Two buzzes means FORWARD
  • Three buzzes means REVERSE
• Audible signals should be acknowledged between the driver and spotter
• If there’s an electrical failure, TFD personnel use a safe combination of voice, visual and hand signals
• Safety spotters should us rear spotlights as available
• Use the hand signals for vehicles/apparatus maneuvering

On Incident Scenes and Hose Loading

• Drivers must use extreme caution, be alert and consider the danger to personnel/spectators
• The apparatus should be placed in a manner that prevents personnel from being in traffic
• Warning lights are to be used to make approaching traffic aware
• Apparatus drivers should ensure the incident scene is illuminated with floodlights
• Apparatus should be parked off the road where possible
• Apparatus and vehicles should be parked so as not to block the incident scene
• The apparatus should be stopped with the wheels curbed when hose is being loaded
• Crew members should be allowed when the apparatus moves forward to the next round of hose
  • Crew members are sitting or kneeling, but no one may ride on the railboard
  • Speed limit is 5 mph
• When the apparatus moves where traffic is not present there should be one safety observer and when traffic is present there should be two spotters minimum
• One spotter should guide the driver while the other spots for traffic
• Officers should see no other vehicle traffic is allowed when loading hose
• Officers can use law enforcements personnel to enforce this Restriction

Backing and Cold Conditions

• Backing apparatus should be avoided wherever possible
• Use safety spotters when backing
• Do not back the vehicles until and unless a spotter has been placed at the rear
• Ensure apparatus doors are attended
• Use emergency warning lights when backing around pedestrians or traffic
• Use spotlights to illuminate at night
• In cold wear personnel assigned to that apparatus must drain water from boats
• If pumping do circulate water to prevent ice
• Personnel must not use compressions on ice or slippery surfaces

Apparatus Bay

• Ice build-up on aerial ladders should be minimized
• Personnel should not idle apparatus in the vehicle bay in the bay with the doors closed
• The vehicle bay should be all 5he way open or all the way closed

Remote and Aerial Procedures

• Personnel is to always be sure that the door is open The officer in charge is always in charge of opening the doors
• The officer in the vehicle should also always ensure that the doors clear
• Each apparatus is to have only one remove
• Remotes should should not be mounted and should be labeled
• Fire fighter procedures when working on a ladder
• All TFD aerial equipped apparatus must be operated by the manufacturer
• There is only a certain capacity of personal
• Personnel who are qualified shall only be touching the truck
• It should be on a roadway which has the jacks and outriggers only on the roads
• It should be properly inspected and maintained at all times

Maintanence and Repairs

• All repair and preventative measures and maintenance can only be qualified by TFD fire garage personnel and maintenance
• Station Captain should schedule testing
• If there is failure it will be places out of service
• TFD ladders are inspected annually
• Every 5 years ladders need to be tested by certified agency
• Any rungs who take damage also have to be inspected
• There should be ten hours and quarterly inspection
• TFD personnel can inspect cables and rungs on ladders for wear and tightness on a monthly basis
• The Fire Department should report any damages

Protocols and Standardized Hand Signals

• TFD personnel should know where they going by using maps
• Check turnouts and fasten seatbelts safely
• Officers and Fire fighters should ensure there safety
• Dispatch should order the driver to proceed
• Conduct 360 inspection of you driving and apparatus
• Maintain order and do not engage with the radios and CD player and be safe you operate the vehicle
• You always have to have seatbelts and never leave the door open
• Communicate with the driver and spotter and use the hand signals