1011.07.00 - Positioning of Emergency Vehicles on Scene.pdf

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: # 1011.07.00 Positioning of Emergency Vehicles on Scene Adopted: Effective Date: April 1, 2017 Last Revised Date: October 1, 2021 Revision Number: 4 Due for Revision Date: October, 202...

Bonita Springs Fire Control and Rescue District Standard Operating Guidelines 1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Subject: # 1011.07.00 Positioning of Emergency Vehicles on Scene Adopted: Effective Date: April 1, 2017 Last Revised Date: October 1, 2021 Revision Number: 4 Due for Revision Date: October, 2024 Replaces: Table of Contents 1011.07.01 Purpose 1011.07.02 Overview 1011.07.03 Safety Concerns/Benchmarks 1011.07.04 Interstate Operations 1011.07.05 Temporary Traffic control Zone Chart C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\dabed703-77a1-4ee3-9861-ab6fabd3016b.doc Page 1 of 4 1011.07.01 Purpose The purpose of this SOG is to provide the necessary information and procedures for the safe positioning of emergency vehicles on scenes. 1011.07.02 Overview This procedure identifies parking practices for fire department apparatus that will provide the maximum protection and safety for personnel operating in or near vehicle traffic. This SOG also identifies multiple approaches for apparatus parking to keep personnel safe while exposed to vehicle traffic. IT SHALL BE THE POLICY OF THE BONITA SPRINGS FIRE CONTROL AND RESCUE DISTRICT TO POSITION APPARATUS AT THE SCENE OF EMERGENCIES IN A MANNER THAT BEST PROTECTS THE WORK AREA AND PERSONNEL FROM VEHICLE TRAFFIC AND OTHER HAZARDS. All personnel should understand and appreciate the high risk that firefighters are exposed to when operating in or near moving vehicle traffic. We should always operate from a defensive posture. Always consider moving traffic a threat to your safety. Many times motorists are looking at the scene and not the road. Nighttime operations are particularly hazardous. Visibility is reduced, and the flashing emergency lights tend to confuse motorists or draw them towards the scene. Studies have shown that multiple headlights of emergency apparatus tend to blind civilian drivers as they approach the scene. 1011.07.03 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Safety Concerns/Benchmarks Never trust the traffic. Engage in proper protective parking. Always wear reflective vests or PPE with reflective striping. Reduce motorist vision impairments. Use traffic cones. Listed below are benchmarks for safe performance when operating in traffic during emergency scenes. 1. Always maintain an acute awareness while working in and around traffic. Always look before you step! Always keep an eye on the traffic! 2. Always position apparatus to protect the scene, patients, emergency personnel, and provide a protected work area. Where possible, angle the apparatus at 45 degrees away from curbside. This will direct motorists around the scene. Apparatus positioning must also allow for adequate parking space for other fire apparatus, and a safe working area for emergency personnel. Allow enough distance to prevent moving vehicles from knocking fire apparatus into the work area. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\dabed703-77a1-4ee3-9861-ab6fabd3016b.doc Page 2 of 4 3. At intersections, or where the incident may be near the middle of the street, two or more sides of the incident may need to be protected. Block all exposed sides. Where apparatus is limited, prioritize from most critical to least critical. 4. For the first arriving apparatus with a side mounted pump panel where a charged hose line may be needed, angle the apparatus with the pump panel “downstream” on the opposite side of on-coming traffic. This will protect the pump operator. 5. During all operations, all emergency lights are to be left on to provide warning to drivers when staging on the roadway, at a minimum. If conditions allow, turn OFF all forward facing lights; however, if lights are needed they may be left on. 6. Personnel should exit the curb side or non-traffic side of the apparatus whenever possible. The only exception is the driver. The driver should use caution when exiting the traffic side of the apparatus. 7. When parking apparatus to protect the scene, be sure to protect the work area also. The area must be protected so that patients can be extricated, treated, moved on scene, and loaded into the EMS unit safely. 8. The EMS unit should be placed “downstream” or past the incident in the direction of traffic flow when the scene allows. This is for protection and easy access away from the scene. At residential medical emergencies, park the EMS unit in the driveway if possible for safe loading of the patient. 9. Place traffic cones at the scene to direct traffic as required. This should be initiated by the first arriving company on the scene, and expanded as necessary. Always place and retrieve cones while facing on-coming traffic. 10. Clear all traffic lanes of vehicles and apparatus as soon as safely possible to restore proper traffic flow. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\dabed703-77a1-4ee3-9861-ab6fabd3016b.doc Page 3 of 4 1011.07.04 Interstate Operations Interstate emergencies pose a particular high risk to emergency personnel. Speeds are higher, traffic volume is significant, and civilian motorists have little opportunity to slow down, stop or change lanes. The Sheriff’s Department or Florida Highway Patrol will also have a desire to keep traffic flowing. If necessary, the interstate can be completely shut down. This, however, is rarely required. For interstate emergencies, we will continue to block the scene with the fire apparatus on the scene to provide a safe work area. Other companies may be used to provide additional blocking if needed. The initial company officer, or command, must thoroughly assess the need for apparatus on the interstate and their specific function. The first arriving company must assess the need for extrication and if required provide a specific parking area for additional units downstream of the incident. Other apparatus should be parked downstream when possible. This provides a safe parking area. Traffic cones should be placed farther apart, with the last cone approximately 150 feet “upstream” or into on-coming traffic to allow adequate warning to drivers. Place and retrieve cones while facing the traffic. Command should establish a liaison with the Lee County Sheriff’s Department or FHP as soon as possible to jointly provide a safe parking and work area and to quickly resolve the incident. The termination of the incident must be managed with the same aggressiveness as the initial actions. Personnel, apparatus, and equipment must be removed from the interstate promptly, to reduce exposure to moving traffic. Remember to consider possible hazardous materials when placing apparatus on scenes. If any Air Ambulance is used, utilize the Sheriff’s Department as much as possible to block traffic and to minimize road closures. C:\powerdms\convert\Temp\dabed703-77a1-4ee3-9861-ab6fabd3016b.doc Page 4 of 4