Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines PDF

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines # 1010.07.00 Emergency Vehicle Response & Use of Audible and Warning Devices Subject: Adopted: Effective Date: February 1, 2017 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 4 Due for Revision Date: Replac...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines # 1010.07.00 Emergency Vehicle Response & Use of Audible and Warning Devices Subject: Adopted: Effective Date: February 1, 2017 Last Revised Date: November 10, 2023 Revision Number: 4 Due for Revision Date: Replaces: November 2026 1010.07.01 1010.07.02 1010.07.0 3 1010.07.04 1010.07.05 1010.07.06 1010.07.0 7 1010.07.0 8 1010.07.09 1010.07.10 1010.07.11 Purpose Circle of Safety Audible & Visual Warning Devices Vehicle Control and Right-Of-Way Response Speeds Intersection Practices Non-Emergency Response Ordinary Travel Procedures Riding Policy Backing Department Involved Vehicle Accident Page 1 of 6 1010.07.01 Purpose Responding to any emergency call, the Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District places a great deal of responsibility on the drivers of our emergency vehicles. Not only must emergency vehicle drivers provide prompt conveyance of the apparatus, equipment, and personnel to provide service to those in need, but as importantly, must accomplish this task in the safest and most prudent manner possible. Emergency vehicle drivers have in their care, custody and control most of the major assets possessed by this organization (the vehicle, equipment, personnel). Drivers must constantly monitor and reduce the amount of risk and exposure to potential losses during each and every response. Safe arrival at the emergency scene shall be, and must always remain, the first priority of all emergency vehicle drivers. In order to accomplish this enormous task all emergency vehicle drivers shall become familiar with, and constantly abide by the following polices and procedures. 1010.07.02 Circle of Safety Prior to entering and starting the vehicle, the emergency vehicle driver and officer in charge shall ensure a circle of safety around all 4 sides of the vehicle to see that all equipment is secured, compartment doors are securely closed, and any physical obstructions are moved out of the way. This shall be conducted prior to moving the vehicle regardless of whether the vehicle is leaving emergency or non-emergency. 1010.07.03 Audible & Visual Warning Devices During emergency response all audible and visual warning devices will be operated at all times regardless of time of day and/or traffic conditions. All emergency vehicle drivers must understand that warning devices are not always effective in making other vehicle operators aware of your presence. Warning devices only request the right-of-way, they do not insure the right-of-way. At the discretion of the OIC based upon the following factors at a minimum, the response may be downgraded to not use audible and visual warning devices. A. B. C. D. E. F. Nature of dispatched incident Location of dispatched incident Weather/Conditions Environmental Conditions Length of travel to the dispatched incident Scene safety Page 2 of 6 1010.07.04 Vehicle Control and Right-Of-Way All drivers shall maintain control of the vehicle that they are operating in such a manner as to provide the maximum level of safety for both their passengers and the general public. Emergency vehicle drivers should be aware that the civilian vehicle operators may not react in the manner in which is expected or appropriate for the situation. If another vehicle operator fails to yield the right of way to your emergency vehicle, you as the driver can not force the right of way, nor can you assume the right of way, therefore you do not have the right of way until the other vehicle yields to you. The emergency vehicle driver shall be aware of his/her rate of closure on other vehicles and pedestrians at all times to make sure that a safe following distance is established and maintained. All drivers shall follow the rule for safe following distance and allow 1 second of following distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length for speeds under 40 mph, and add 1 additional second for each 10 mph for speeds over 40 mph. Emergency vehicles shall travel in the furthest most left lane in the direction of travel on 4 lane or greater roads. 1010.07.05 Response Speeds During emergency response the driver shall operate the vehicle as close to the posted speed limit as possible, but not to exceed ten (10-15) miles per hour over the posted speed limit, conditions permitting. Examples of conditions requiring a slower response speed would include: slippery road conditions, poor visibility, sharp curves, and heavy or congested traffic conditions. 1010.07.06 Intersection Practices Extreme care shall be taken when approaching any intersection. Intersections are responsible for a large percentage of major accidents involving emergency vehicles. A. Uncontrolled intersections Any intersection that does not offer a control device (stop sign, yield or traffic signal) in the direction of travel of the emergency vehicle or where a traffic control signal is green upon approach, the driver shall do the following: 1. Scan the intersection for possible hazards (right turns on red, pedestrians, etc). Observe traffic in all directions. 2. Slow down if any potential hazards are detected and cover the brake pedal in preparation of stopping. 3. Change the siren cadence not less than 200’ from the intersection. 4. Avoid using the opposing lane of traffic if at all possible. Page 3 of 6 B. Controlled intersections Any intersection controlled by a stop sign, yield sign, yellow traffic light, or a red light requires prudent action by the driver. The following steps shall be taken: 1. Do not rely on your warning devices to clear traffic. 2. Scan the intersection in all 4 directions for possible hazards (right turn on red, pedestrians, etc). 3. Begin to slow down well before reaching the intersection and cover the brake pedal in preparation of stopping, 4. Change the siren cadence not less than 200’ from the intersection. 5. Scan the intersection for possible passing options (pass on left, right, wait, etc) avoid using the opposing lanes of traffic if at all possible. 6. If all visible traffic in all lanes can not be accounted for, the driver should bring the vehicle to a complete stop. 7. Establish eye contact with other drivers; have the officer communicate all clear and reconfirm that all other vehicles have stopped. 8. Account for traffic one lane at a time treating each lane as a separate intersection. C. Railroad intersections At any time an emergency vehicle driver approaches an unguarded rail crossing he/she shall bring the apparatus to a complete stop before entering the grade crossing. 1010.07.07 Non-Emergency Response When responding to a call in a non-emergency mode the vehicle will be operated without any audible or visual warning devices and in compliance with all state motor vehicle laws. At no time should any emergency vehicle be operated during response with only visual warning devices. 1010.07.08 Ordinary Travel Procedures All drivers shall obey all traffic laws and traffic control devices when driving any fire department apparatus under ordinary travel conditions. Any driver observed breaking any traffic laws or driving any vehicle in an aggressive manner will be subject to disciplinary action including suspension of driving privileges to include reduction in pay as directed by the Fire Chief or designee. Page 4 of 6 1010.07.09 Riding Policy The department requires all persons riding on fire apparatus to be seated in approved riding positions and be secured to the vehicle by seat belts whenever the vehicle is in motion. The emergency vehicle driver and the officer shall verify that all personnel are properly seated and in seat belts before the vehicle is moved. If you are in a moving vehicle where emergency medical care is being provided, you should be secured to the vehicle by a seat belt or safety harness designed for occupant restraint. 1010.07.10 Backing The department recognizes that backing emergency vehicles is made hazardous by the fact that the driver cannot see much of where he/she intends to go. The driver should avoid backing apparatus whenever possible. When it is necessary to back-up a suppression vehicle, all drivers shall follow the two measures listed below: A. Suppression Apparatus 1. If 3 or more individuals are on the apparatus, before placing the vehicle in reverse, 2 spotters shall be placed near the driver’s and passenger’s side rear of the vehicle. If only 2 are on the vehicle, the spotter should be safely positioned so that the driver can see them at all times in their driver’s side mirror. If at any time the driver loses sight of the spotters, he/she shall stop immediately until the spotter is visible again. 2. If conditions exist that make the use of a spotter impossible, all drivers, before attempting to back-up any fire department vehicle, shall make a circle of safety to see that; no persons are directly behind the vehicle or in its intended path of travel; all equipment is secured and that all compartment doors are securely closed; any physical obstructions are moved out of the way. B. Staff Vehicles: 1. All drivers shall make a circle of safety to see that no persons are directly behind the vehicle or in its intended path of travel. Page 5 of 6 1010.07.11 A. B. C. D. Department Vehicle Involved Accident If injuries occur, treat and transport if necessary. Notify the BC immediately; the BC is to notify the DC and AC immediately. Contact law enforcement to respond. Contact the Shift Safety Committee Member and they will investigate the accident along with the Shift BC 1. Collect Crew and Witness Statements 2. Collect photographs of the scene. 3. Ensure completion of VFIS Report. 4. Collect initial and/or final law enforcement report. E. If the driver of the department vehicle is operating behind the steering wheel and causes an accident, he/she will be drug tested. The on duty Battalion Chief will initiate the drug test and will collect all necessary forms. F. All of the above is to be completed and turned in within 24 hours to the AC. If the accident occurs on the weekend or a holiday, the above is to be completed and turned in on the following operating business day by 0800 hours. Page 6 of 6