Bridgeport Fire Department Safe Vehicle Operations PDF

Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS 1. 2. Purpose 1.1. To ensure that Bridgeport Fire Department apparatus and vehicles safely and responsibly respond to emergency calls, following guidelines...

Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS 1. 2. Purpose 1.1. To ensure that Bridgeport Fire Department apparatus and vehicles safely and responsibly respond to emergency calls, following guidelines from the Connecticut General Statutes (Section 14-283). 1.2. To reduce the chance of accidents and provide safe responses by members of the Bridgeport Fire Department. Applicability 2.1. 3. 4. This policy applies to all members of the Bridgeport Fire Department. Definitions 3.1. First Due Units - Are 1st due Engine, Truck, Rescue and Battalion Chief. 3.2. Apparatus Backing - Anytime the apparatus transmission is shifted into reverse gear to move the apparatus in a backward motion. 3.3. Hand Signals - Signs made by motion of the hands to direct the driver/operator while backing department apparatus. 3.4. Spotter - Personnel that use hand signals to direct the driver/operator while backing department apparatus. Responsibility 4.1. All members, and in particular, Company Officers, Pumper Engineers, Drivers, shall strictly adhere to the guidelines set forth in the Connecticut General Statutes, Section 14-283. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS 4.1.1. The operator of any emergency vehicle may: ➢ Park or stand such vehicle, irrespective of the provisions of this chapter. ➢ Proceed past any red light or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down or stopping to the extent necessary for the safe operation of such vehicle. ➢ Exceed the posted speed limits or other speed limits imposed by or pursuant to section 14-218a or 14-219 as long as the operator does not endanger life or property by so doing. ➢ Disregard statutes, ordinances or regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specific directions. 4.1.2. The provisions of this Section (14-283) shall not relieve the operator of an emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property. 4.2. Driver / Operator: ➢ The driver/operator of any fire department vehicle has legal responsibility for its safe and prudent operation at all times. 4.3. Company Officer: 4.3.1. While the driver/operator is responsible for the operation of the vehicle, the Company Officer is responsible for the actions of the driver. 4.4. Firefighters: 4.4.1. Will know all aspects of this SOP and will apply the correct methods as described herein during apparatus operations. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS 5. Policy 5.1. 6. All members, when operating or riding in Fire Department vehicles, shall operate in accordance with the procedures set forth below and wear seatbelts. Fire Department vehicles will not move until all members are seated with seatbelts attached. No standing is allowed while any fire department vehicle is in motion. Immediate supervisors will be held accountable for the actions of their members regarding this procedure. Violation of this procedure will result in discipline up to and including termination. Procedure 6.1. Non-Emergency Mode 6.1.1. During normal travel, operators are subject to all the rules, regulations, and laws of an ordinary-vehicle operator. 6.2. Emergency Response 6.2.1. Companies responding to Priority 0 and Priority 1 emergency calls shall use the warning devices on the apparatus. Engineers, Driver/Operators shall use the guidelines set forth in CGS Section 14-283 as the minimum standard for operating in emergency mode. ➢ The operator of an emergency vehicle shall drive with due regard for the safety of all persons and property. 6.2.2. When the first unit to arrive on location of an alarm reports “Nothing Showing” or when ordered to Adjust Response, all units with the exception of the first units (1st due Engine, 1st due Ladder, Battalion Chief, Rescue 5) shall: ➢ Slow down and immediately obey all traffic control signs and laws. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS ➢ Stop sounding all audible warning devices and turn off all warning lights. ➢ With the exception of the first due units, all other units shall continue to proceed to location of alarm via previously chosen route until ordered otherwise by the Incident Commander or ECC. 6.2.3. Upon the request of the Incident Commander, Fire Companies may be required to reactivate audible and visual warning devices to resume emergency response mode. 6.2.4. Warning lights shall be used at all times while responding to and operating at emergencies on expressways. 6.3. Public Service Calls (Priority 2 Responses) 6.3.1. Responses to Public Services calls shall be without the use of emergency warning devices and will be with the normal flow of traffic. ➢ Chief Officers, Company Officers and ECC staff have the ability to enable the use of warning devices based on information provided by the 911 caller. Note: An example of this change in response mode is a Vehicle Lock-out with a child locked in the car. This situation requires a response with warning lights due to the updated information. 6.4. Apparatus Backing 6.4.1. Whenever possible, the driver/operator should avoid backing the apparatus. It is sometimes quicker to drive around the block and start again. When it is determined that it will be necessary to shift the apparatus into reverse gear to back the apparatus for any distance, all Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS company members, except the driver, will dismount the apparatus to assist the driver/operator with backing. 6.4.2. Directional Hand Signals ➢ Spotters will face the driver operator and use hand signals to direct the driver/operator while backing the apparatus into the desired area. ➢ “Stop the Apparatus” - Point both hands palms to the front toward the driver at shoulder height. ➢ “Safe to Back the Apparatus” - Is signaled with both hands open, back of the hands toward the driver, palms toward the spotter, while moving them in a back and forth motion at shoulder height. ➢ “Move Left” - Clench the left fist with the thumb pointing outward to the left. ➢ “Move Right” - Clench the right fist with the thumb pointing outward to the right. 6.4.3. Spotter Duties ➢ The Driver Side Firefighter ➢ Will dismount the apparatus and take a position to the rear of the apparatus on the driver’s side, in line with the driver’s rear-view mirror. This firefighter will have a radio and is the only spotter that will communicate with the driver via radio if necessary. Do not stand directly behind the apparatus while it is in motion! Direct the driver using the hand signals as per Section 6.6. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS 6.4.4. The Officer Side Firefighter ➢ Will dismount the apparatus and take a position to the rear of the apparatus on the Officer’s side in line with the Officer side rear view mirror. Do not stand directly behind the apparatus while it is in motion! Direct the driver using the hand signals as per Section 6.6. 6.4.5. Company Officer ➢ Will stand at the front of the apparatus to either side, not standing directly in front of the apparatus while it is in motion. The Company Officer will supervise the backing of the apparatus. 6.4.6. Driver/Operator ➢ The driver/operator will not start backing until all spotters are in the correct position. ➢ If the driver does not have or has lost sight of any of the spotters, DO NOT BACK THE APPARATUS. ➢ Backing speed is to be slow for the duration of backing. ➢ If the driver becomes confused about any situation while backing, the apparatus transmission will be shifted to neutral, parking brake applied, and a face-to-face conversation with the spotter will take place to correct the situation. ➢ Spotters will use a flashlight during nighttime backing. ➢ Emergency flashers will be activated when backing. Bridgeport Fire Department Policy #203 Effective Date : 05/12/1994 Fire Chief Signature Revision Date: 06/14/2019 SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS 6.4.7. Hazard Awareness ➢ All spotters will watch for in-path and overhead hazards. ➢ Personnel and civilians are not allowed to pass in the path of backing apparatus. ➢ Stop the driver/operator from backing the apparatus when any hazard is eminent. 7. Forms 7.1. 7.2. 7.3. Reference SOP 101 Reference SOP 101 Appendix A Connecticut General Statues Sec. 14-283 BY ORDER OF THE FIRE CHIEF