#505 Highway-Roadway Responses.pdf

Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 I. HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES 6/17/09 PURPOSE: A. To establish an effective safe zone to operate within at incidents located on roadways and limited access highways. B. It shall be the policy of the Bridgeport Fire Department...

Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 I. HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES 6/17/09 PURPOSE: A. To establish an effective safe zone to operate within at incidents located on roadways and limited access highways. B. It shall be the policy of the Bridgeport Fire Department to position apparatus and other emergency vehicles operating at an incident on any roadway or highway in a manner that best protects the incident scene and work area. 1. Such positioning shall afford protection to fire department personnel, law enforcement officers, tow service operators, and the motoring public from the hazards of working in or near moving traffic. 2. Responders should always operate within the protected safety zone. II. RESPONSIBILITIES: A. Incident Commander: 1. The Command Post location shall be carefully chosen for every incident; Consideration should be given to provide easy access and a good field of view of the incident within the safety zone. 2. The Incident Commander will establish a single “Unified Command Post” as soon as possible, and establish communications with all involved agencies. 3. The Incident Commander shall ensure that all apparatus are positioned appropriately for blocking and operation within the safe work area. a. Shall ensure that a minimum of 1 Engine, 1 Ladder & Battalion Chief remain on scene for any incident and shall ensure that the entire assignment leave the incident scene at the same time upon termination of the incident. The Safety Officer may be released at the discretion of the Assistant Chief after all suppression and rescue activities are completed. 4. Shall have EOC request state DOT blocking vehicle upon confirmed extrication. 5. Shall ensure all of members have donned their ANSI 207 compliant safety reflective vest. B. Company Officer: 1. Shall ensure their apparatus positions in such a manner as to protect at least 1 1/2 lanes of traffic/travel. Two lanes are preferable when possible. See image 1 Page 1 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES #505 6/17/09 a. The apparatus shall be positioned far enough from the incident to allow a buffer area between traffic flow and incident should a collision into the apparatus occur. See image 2 b. During situations where the engineer will be pumping the engine, the apparatus will positioned as to protect the engineer. See image 4 2. Shall ensure all of their members have donned their ANSI 207 compliant safety reflective vest. 3. The vest is not be worn by members directly involved with fire suppression and or rescue / extrication activities. 4. Shall ensure their members are out of any parked apparatus. a. The safer place for all members is in the safe work zone. b. Members sitting in blocking apparatus are placed at risk should the apparatus be struck. c. The Driver/PE should serve as a look-out for oncoming traffic. 5. Will familiarize themselves with the standpipe locations on I-95 and the hydrant locations to supply such. C. Members: 1. 2. 3. 4. III. Shall don their ANSI 207 compliant safety reflective vest prior to exiting the apparatus. Shall remain alert for traffic traveling around the incident scene Shall work with the IC to set up and maintain the “safe work zone” Shall maintain 360* awareness of traffic flow at all times DEFINITIONS: A. Blocking: Positioning apparatus on an angle to the lanes of traffic creating a physical barrier between upstream traffic and the work area. B. Safety Zone: The protected area established between the blocking apparatus and the emergency vehicle most forward of the incident, creating physical barriers between upstream traffic and the work area. See image 2 C. Work Area: is the area immediately around the incident between the forward most FD apparatus and the 1st downstream emergency vehicle. See image 2 & 3 D. Termination Area: The area after the forward most emergency vehicle where traffic is Page 2 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES 6/17/09 allowed to resume normal flow. IV. PROCEDURES: The initial arriving apparatus shall ensure that traffic is controlled before addressing the emergency operation. They shall ensure enough space is maintained so not to block incoming apparatus placement for operations. 1. Fire apparatus shall be placed in a blocking position so that if struck it will protect members and other persons at the incident scene. a. If possible, place in an uphill / upwind position. 2. Apparatus wheels shall be placed so that if the apparatus is struck, the rig will move away for the work area. a. All apparatus warning lights shall remain on until the scene is cleared. 3. Traffic cones shall be used to warn traffic of the transition area, work area and the termination area. See image 2 4. Members shall not operate outside the safety zone. a. Incidents that involve lanes not adjacent to each other shall require additional blocking rigs. b. Members shall not cross highway medians nor apparatus stop on opposite direction of the incident without appropriate blocking. See image 5 c. If the incident is SB, do not stop on NB side and operate unless you have appropriate blocking on your side. d. Prior to termination of incident, the IC shall consult with CSP to ensure blocking is not needed for CSP safety Page 3 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES Image 1 Page 4 6/17/09 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES Image 2 Page 5 6/17/09 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES Image 3 Page 6 6/17/09 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES Image 4 Page 7 6/17/09 Bridgeport Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures #505 HIGHWAY/ ROADWAY INCIDENT RESPONSES Image 5 V. FORMS REQUIRED: None Rev. 12/08/2014 Rev. 02/28/2017 Rev. 10/26/2017 BY ORDER OF THE CHIEF Page 8 6/17/09