SAFD Roadside Safety SOG #2402 PDF

SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT Effective Date 10-7-2019 ROADSIDE SAFETY SOG Policy# 2402 Approved by: Assis...

SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT Effective Date 10-7-2019 ROADSIDE SAFETY SOG Policy# 2402 Approved by: Assistant Chief Brian O’Neill Review Date Reviewed by: Captain Craig Balter 3-7-2026.01 PURPOSE Whether responding to a vehicle accident, fire, hazmat incident, or a medical call, one of the most dangerous work areas for firefighters and emergency medical personnel to work on is the road/highway. This hazardous location can put emergency response personnel at risk of being struck by a vehicle while operating along or near roadways. To provide a safer environment for all personnel, the Incident Commander shall ensure a blocking apparatus stays on scene until all fire apparatus or ambulances working downstream have been cleared and are leaving the incident site..02 DEFINITIONS The following terms shall be used during incident operations, post-incident analysis, and training activities related to working in or near moving traffic. A. Advance Warning - notification procedure that advises approaching motorists to transition from normal driving status to that required by the temporary emergency traffic control measures ahead of them. B. Block - positioning a Fire Department apparatus on an angle to the lanes of traffic creating a physical barrier between upstream traffic and the work zone. Includes ‘block to the right’ or ‘block to the left’. C. Block to the Left/Right - position the apparatus at an appropriate angle (approximately 30 degrees) to the direction of travel. Blocking left, for example, the driver would steer to the left at a 30 degree angle away from the protected area. This would encourage the traffic to travel around the apparatus to the left, keeping the right side within the protected area as much as possible. D. Buffer Zone - the distance or space between personnel and vehicles in the protected work zone and nearby moving traffic. E. Class II Safety Vest - ANSI 107-1999 Class 2 Vests are for workers in high risk situations who need to be visible for minimum distance of 1,280 feet. F. Downstream/Upstream - downstream is the direction that traffic is moving as it travels away from the incident scene. Upstream is the direction that traffic is traveling from as the vehicles approach the incident scene. G. High Volume or High Speed Roadway - any roadway with multiple lanes and or speeds above 50 mph. H. Lane Taper - the action of merging several lanes of moving traffic into fewer moving lanes. SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT Page 2 of 5 Roadside Safety SOG #2402 I. Shadow - the protected work zone at a vehicle-related roadway incident that is shielded by the block from apparatus and other emergency vehicles. J. Protected Work Zone - the physical area of a roadway where emergency personnel perform Fire, EMS and Rescue tasks at a vehicle-related incident. L. Transition Zone - the lanes of a roadway where approaching motorists change their speed and position to comply with the traffic control measures established at an incident scene..03 GENERAL CONCEPTS A. Responder safety is the first priority. Always size-up the scene and implement the tactics necessary to protect responders from traffic. Consider requesting a Battalion Chief as needed. B. Reduce all sources of vision impairment to approaching motorists at nighttime incidents including vehicle headlights, wigwags, and all unnecessary lighting. C. During active firefighting, traffic vests will not be worn by those wearing a SCBA. Traffic safety vests will be worn by all personnel on scene at all other times. D. Establish advance warning and adequate traffic control measures upstream of incident to reduce travel speeds of approaching motorists. The topography of the area, such as curves and hills, should be considered when placing the aforementioned warning devices. E. Once the blocking occurs and the work zone is established, never park additional vehicles in adjacent lanes, across active lanes, or on opposite sides of a highway unless a new work zone is established with additional blocking vehicles..04 GUIDELINE FOR ESTABLISHING A PROTECTED WORKZONE A. Establish Command B. Position first-arriving apparatus to protect the scene, patients, and emergency personnel. 1. Initial apparatus placement should provide a work zone protected from traffic approaching in at least one direction by blocking one additional traffic lane more than that already obstructed by the crashed vehicle(s). 2. Angle apparatus on the roadway to “block to the left” or a “block to the right” to create a physical barrier between the crash scene and rear approaching traffic. Have front wheels turned away from the incident. 3. If equipped, have rear directional arrow sequencing light operating in proper direction. SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT Page 3 of 5 Roadside Safety SOG #2402 4. For slower moving traffic, cones should he deployed at 25-foot intervals upstream of the blocking apparatus with the furthest traffic cone approximately 100 feet upstream to allow adequate advance warning to drivers. On higher speed roadways, cones should be augmented by flares or additional cones, with the last cone approximately 250 feet “upstream”, to allow adequate warning to drivers. 5. Positioning of large apparatus must create a safe parking zone for EMS units and other fire vehicles. Operating personnel, equipment and patients should be kept within the “shadow” created by the blocking apparatus at all times. B. For minor motor vehicle accidents on high-speed roadways and with SAFD first on scene, the following actions will occur: After rapid assessment and confirmation that the occupants have no injuries, all drivable vehicles are to be moved away from the freeway and onto a designated Accident Investigation Site, which may be a location on the frontage road, the nearest suitable cross street, or other location that minimizes interference with highway traffic and provides a safe area to manage the incident away from high speed traffic. Notify SAPD of the designated Accident Investigation Site, where vehicles will be re-located. If injuries are reported or if at least one vehicle is not drivable, blocking apparatus and all safety precautions will be utilized to ensure a safe working environment. Situational awareness must always be maintained. C. EMS Units should be positioned within the protected work zone beyond the crash vehicle, with their rear patient loading door area angled away from the nearest lanes of moving traffic if at all possible. If the EMS unit is first on scene, it shall be positioned as described for a blocking vehicle, with its patient loading door angled away from the nearest lanes of moving traffic. The first arriving fire apparatus will block upstream of the EMS unit, placing it within the protected zone. EMS shall not cancel or release a responding fire apparatus, that was dispatched for blocking purposes, as long as they are in an area of danger. D. At all intersections or where the incident is near the middle lane of the roadway, two or more sides of the incident will need to be protected. Remember to call for additional companies and use police vehicles to aid in blocking traffic..05 INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Incident Commander: A. Assess the environment for safety and call additional blocking units if required. B. Transfer Command to the first arriving Fire apparatus and/or BC. C. Command shall ensure that all unnecessary emergency lighting is turned OFF. At night time when using scene lights, make sure the lighting will not blind the approaching motorist. Make sure directional arrow light, if equipped, is pointing in the correct direction. SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT Page 4 of 5 Roadside Safety SOG #2402 D. Ensure all workers not involved in actual firefighting are wearing their safety vests. E. Designate a crewmember to deploy traffic warning devices. F. Create a liaison with SAPD in order to assess if additional lane closures will be required while ensuring traffic flow is best directed away from emergency workers. G. The initial company officer and/or Incident Commander must operate as the Scene Safety Officer until this assignment is delegated. H. Do not become directly involved in tasks. The Incident Commander must continually assess the conditions of traffic, access, fire control, and/or extrication and be vigilant in maintaining a safe environment for those working within the Temporary Work Zone. I. Ensure that all non-blocking fire department units on-scene are placed within the protected work zone (shadow). J. Demobilize and coordinate with SAPD at the earliest possible opportunity making sure that no SAFD units remain on scene after blocking units have left. 2. Responding Crews: A. Don appropriate PPE prior to exiting the emergency vehicle. B. Crews will exit the fire apparatus on the protected ‘shadow’ side, away from moving traffic if possible C. Officers, Engineers, and crew members who cannot exit into the shadow area, must remember to look upstream and use extreme caution prior to exiting their apparatus. Always remain alert to moving traffic at all times. D. When walking around fire apparatus or emergency vehicles, be alert to your proximity to moving traffic, while alerting other firefighters as well. 3. Communications Personnel: A. An Engine and Ladder shall be automatically dispatched to all vehicle-related incidents on high volume or high speed roadways. B. Ensure that personnel are not cancelling or releasing a responding fire apparatus, that was dispatched for blocking purposes, as long as they are in an area of danger. C. Squads shall not be dispatched alone to provide blocking for roadside emergencies. SAN ANTONIO FIRE DEPARTMENT Page 5 of 5 Roadside Safety SOG #2402 D. If another company is needed by the Incident Commander to block traffic, Dispatch will send the closest unit (Engine or Ladder) to provide additional blocking further upstream..06 REVISIONS AND CONFLICTS A. Guidelines are meant to provide guidance, yet allow company officer discretion in adapting to the varied and changing situations they may find in the field. This does not imply that these guidelines may he ignored or that the intent of these guidelines countermanded. B. These guidelines are subject to revisions as needed to ensure the maintenance of efficient, thorough, and proper placement of emergency vehicles at traffic incidents for roadside safety. C. Where prior correspondence conflicts, this order shall remain.