Clearwater Fire & Rescue OptiCom Traffic Signal Pre-emption System Procedures PDF

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE SUBJECT: Operating Procedures for OptiCom S.O.P. 912 Traffic Signal Pre-emption System PAGE 1 OF 3 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY:...

CLEARWATER FIRE AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE SUBJECT: Operating Procedures for OptiCom S.O.P. 912 Traffic Signal Pre-emption System PAGE 1 OF 3 CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: Logistics Equipment & Maintenance APPROVED BY: EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/08/00 REVISION DATE: 11/21/18 REVIEWED DATE: 05/24/22 SIGNATURE ON FILE, APPROVED TO FORM THIS DATE BY SCOTT EHLERS, FIRE CHIEF, FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT FORMS REQUIRED: NOTE: Current forms are located on the Department’s SharePoint. PURPOSE: Clearwater Fire and Rescue Department is dedicated to the safety of the citizens and its personnel while responding to emergencies through the use of Traffic Signal Pre-emption Devices. This document will ensure a consistent and clear policy for the use of the 3M OptiCom Traffic Signal Pre-emption system. Its use thereby providing our personnel and citizens a safer response environment and to provide for a reduction in response times. 912.1 Description A. The OptiCom priority control system gives authorized vehicles control over the intersection as needed. B. The OptiCom system consists of an emitter unit mounted on an authorized emergency vehicle that communicates using an infrared encoded signal to the intersection. C. In order for the intersection to be preempted, the intersection must be equipped with OptiCom hardware inside the traffic control cabinet and have detectors mounted externally. The pre-emption system is designed to provide a green light for emergency vehicles in the direction of travel only. Some intersections in our jurisdiction will allow oncoming traffic to continue until new controllers for the intersections have been installed. D. The system is designed to reduce the likelihood of an intersection accident for both emergency response personnel and civilians. The system is also designed to reduce response times for emergency vehicles. E. If multiple apparatus approach an intersection from different directions, the system has a priority ranking of first come, first served. F. The system logs all activations with the day, date, time, and unit identifier. FDOT and our City Traffic Engineering Department for compliance will check this log at their convenience. SUBJECT: Operating Procedures EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/08/00 S.O.P. 912 for OptiCom Traffic Signal REVISION DATE: 11/21/18 Pre-emption System CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 2 OF 3 Logistics Equipment & Maintenance 912.2 Procedures A. The OptiCom system is meant solely for emergency traffic pre-emption. 1. Abuse of the system can significantly impact the normal traffic patterns of the city and may result in loss of the system. 2. Under no circumstances will the emitter be switched on unless responding to an emergency call with lights and sirens activated. B. Misuse of the OptiCom system shall result in disciplinary action and would be in violation of Florida SS 316.003, 316.0775 and referred to law enforcement. C. The emitter switch should be set to activate when the Emergency Master Switch is activated in all fire apparatus. D. As soon as you reach the scene of an emergency, turn off your emitter. Setting the parking brake will deactivate the OptiCom emitter in your unit. NOTE: If responding to an accident at an intersection, leaving the emitter on will keep the intersection in pre-emption until deactivated. E. Always treat each intersection as though the system does not exist. 1. You must stop and proceed with caution at all red lights. 2. When you do receive a green, proceed at a safe speed. 3. Never assume you will get a green light. 4. There may be a reason why the intersection is not pre-empting, including another unit having pre-emption. F. When your intersection approach has a left turn arrow, you will receive a green left turn arrow and a green ball for the straight through. All other approaches will get a red. G. If there is no left turn arrow on your approach, you must watch for oncoming traffic as opposing traffic may also have a green signal, as the intersection may not be in pre- emption. H. If you follow too close behind a tall truck, you may lose your detection. If this occurs, simply change lanes or back off a few yards from the truck in front of you. Your emitter will then be picked up again and the preemption call will continue. Failure to reestablish the call will result in the intersection not going into pre-emption. SUBJECT: Operating Procedures EFFECTIVE DATE: 12/08/00 S.O.P. 912 for OptiCom Traffic Signal REVISION DATE: 11/21/18 Pre-emption System CATEGORY: SUBCATEGORY: PAGE 3 OF 3 Logistics Equipment & Maintenance 912.3 Maintenance and Repair A. Report all equipment failures immediately after the call to your immediate supervisor and e- mail Fire Logistics. Give the following information: 1. Name 2. Vehicle number 3. Date of failure 4. Incident number 5. Intersection involved 6. Your direction of travel 7. Brief description of failure