Driving Department Vehicles PDF Procedures Manual

Procedure New Lenox Fire Protection District 103 Procedures Manual Driving Department Vehicles 103.1 PURPOSE Establishes guidelines for safe and effective vehicle response and operation during both emergency and...

Procedure New Lenox Fire Protection District 103 Procedures Manual Driving Department Vehicles 103.1 PURPOSE Establishes guidelines for safe and effective vehicle response and operation during both emergency and non-emergency situations. 103.1.1 GUIDELINE The safe operation of an emergency vehicle depends heavily on the ability and experience of the driver and the added resources and direction of the officer. All drivers shall maintain control of the vehicle in a manner as to provide the maximum level of safety for both their passengers and the general public. Drivers should be aware that civilian vehicle operators might not react in the manner in which is expected or felt to be appropriate. An attempt should be made to have options available when passing or overtaking vehicles. If another vehicle fails to yield the right of way to an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle driver cannot force or assume the right of way. The driver of an emergency vehicle shall be directly responsible for its safe operation. When the driver is under the direct supervision of an officer or acting officer, that officer or acting officer shall also assume responsibility for the actions of the driver. 103.2 GENERAL DRIVING REQUIREMENTS Emergency vehicles shall only be operated and driven by department members or authorized maintenance personnel. Drivers shall meet the State of Illinois driver’s license requirements along with the Illinois Office of the State Fire Marshall and the New Lenox Fire District’s Driver’s Training Policy requirements. All department apparatus and vehicles shall utilize vehicle headlights in both emergency and non-- emergency driving situations. 103.3 DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES o Driver’s first priority shall be for the safe arrival of the emergency vehicle at the emergency scene o Driver shall not move an emergency vehicle until all personnel are seated and secured with seat belts and in approved riding positions o During emergency response, drivers shall bring the emergency vehicle to a complete stop, prior to proceeding, for any of the following; 1. Red traffic lights 2. Stop signs 3. Blind intersections where there is no traffic control (traffic light or stop sign) in any direction 4. Prior to entering a controlled intersection (traffic light or stop sign) when traveling in oncoming lanes or on a painted or raised median Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Driving Department Vehicles - 1 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Driving Department Vehicles 5. When other intersection or road hazards are present 6. When encountering a stopped school bus with flashing red lights and/or with deployed stop signal arm (stop sign) 7. When encountering activated railroad crossings 8. When directed by the company officer or a law enforcement officer o After stopping at a red light or stop sign account for all lanes of traffic prior to proceeding o During non-emergency travel, drivers shall obey all traffic control signals o The driver shall be aware of his/ her rate of closure on other vehicles and pedestrians o The driver shall reduce speed and use due caution in construction zones and stop if necessary when a flagger or signal is present. 103.4 OFFICERS RESPONSIBILITY The officer or acting officer riding in the front passenger seat takes on the role of co--driver. While not in physical control of the operation of the emergency vehicle, the officer provides an additional set of eyes and ears for the driver and shall also be responsible for making certain that the driver operates the vehicle in a safe manner that is consistent with this and any other appropriate policies. o Officer shall ensure that all personnel on the vehicle are seated and secured with seat belts and in approved riding positions prior to movement of the emergency vehicle o Officer shall ensure driver is operating the vehicle in a safe and prudent manner during response in accordance with departmental policy and state law o Officer shall issue warnings about road and physical hazards to the driver o Officer shall direct the driver to cease any unsafe driving, such as excess speed or unsafe intersection practices o Officer shall, when practical, operate the radio, audio and visual warning devices during response o Officer shall check the map book or MDT to assist the driver in determining the safest and most direct route to the emergency scene 103.5 WARNING LIGHTS When responding “Emergency”, warning lights and headlights shall be used and the siren shall be sounded to warn drivers of other vehicles, as required by the Illinois Vehicle Code. The use of sirens and warning lights does not automatically give the right--of--way to the emergency vehicle. These devices simply request the right--of--way from other drivers, based on their awareness of the emergency vehicles presence. Drivers must make every possible effort to make their presence and intended actions known to other drivers. They must drive defensively and be prepared for the unexpected actions of others. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Driving Department Vehicles - 2 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Driving Department Vehicles 103.6 SPEED LIMIT In accordance with the Illinois Vehicle Code, emergency vehicles are authorized to exceed posted speed limits when responding “Emergency” under favorable conditions. This applies only with light traffic, good roads, good visibility, dry pavement, and no road construction. The maximum speed limit shall not exceed 10 mph over the posted speed limit Under less than favorable conditions, the posted speed limit is the absolute maximum permissible. When emergency vehicles must travel in oncoming traffic lanes or on a painted or raised median in the immediate approach to an intersection, they shall slow to a speed that will allow for the complete stop that is required prior to entering the intersection. When emergency vehicles must travel in oncoming traffic lanes for longer distances than the immediate approach to an intersection, the maximum speed is the posted speed limit. 103.7 INTERSECTIONS Intersections present the greatest potential danger to emergency vehicles. When approaching and crossing a controlled intersection with the right--of-- way(greenlight),drivers shall not exceed the posted speed limit. When emergency vehicles must use oncoming traffic lanes or a painted or raised median to approach controlled intersections (traffic light or stop sign), they must come to a complete stop before proceeding through the intersection, including occasions when the emergency vehicle has green traffic lights. When approaching a negative right--of--way intersection (red light, stop sign), the vehicle shall come to a complete stop and proceed only when the driver can account for all oncoming traffic in all lanes yielding the right#of-way. 103.8 EMERGENCY VEHICLE PRE-EMPTION (EVP) INTERSECTIONS Drivers must be very cautious when approaching an intersection with an EVP device. When approaching an EVP equipped intersection, the apparatus should be given a green traffic light. If the traffic light does not turn green, another emergency vehicle may have been given priority or there may be a problem with the EVP device or the vehicle. 103.9 PASSING OTHER VEHICLES During an emergency response, drivers shall avoid passing other responding emergency vehicles. The Illinois Vehicle Code requires private vehicles to slow down and pull to the right when they see an emergency vehicle approaching. It shall be the standard practice of the New Lenox Fire District to pass vehicles on the left. The exception to this is only in situations where doing so would create a safety hazard greater than passing on the right (risk vs. benefit). If it is necessary to pass on the right the driver shall slow to a speed that allows for a safe and complete stop if necessary. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Driving Department Vehicles - 3 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Driving Department Vehicles 103.10 RAILROAD CROSSINGS Drivers shall use caution and ensure that it is safe to proceed prior to crossing any railroad tracks. Apparatus shall not drive around crossing gates that have been lowered, or proceed through a crossing with activated signals (non--#gated). The only exceptions shall be: o When it has been confirmed by railroad personnel that the gates or signal are activated due to a malfunction or maintenance o When there appears to be an obvious malfunction and the company officer has left the vehicle and has visually confirmed the absence of any approaching trains in either direction 103.11 VEHICLE RETARDERS AND JAKE BRAKES Vehicles and apparatus equipped with engine, transmission or driveline retarders or Jake brakes shall operate with the retarder in the “on” or “high” position. Due to the slippery nature of wet, snow or ice covered roads, the retarder or brake is to be placed in the “off” position when encountering these conditions 103.12 CELL PHONE USE Cell phones, personal or district, are prohibited from being answered while driving with the exception of Staff Officers. 103.13 SMOKING Smoking is prohibited inside any department apparatus or vehicle. 103.14 VEHICLE BACKING Employees shall reference NLFD SOG 2.1 Backing Apparatus for the complete expectations of the Fire District. o All District apparatus require the use of a spotter while backing up. o Vehicles should only be backed if they do not have the option of driving forward. o When a spotter is not available and a vehicle must be backed up the driver must do a complete 360 walk around and identify any potential hazards. o When available, two spotters should be utilized on both the driver and officer’s side of the vehicle. o If the driver loses sight of the spotter he should stop immediately. o Staff cars do not require the use of a spotter. 103.15 WHEEL CHOCKS All vehicles that do not have a parking gear are required to use a wheel chock while not in the station. Wheel chocks will be placed on downhill side of the tire. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Driving Department Vehicles - 4 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District  New Lenox Fire Protection District Procedures Manual Driving Department Vehicles 103.16 DISCIPLINARY ACTION Failure to follow this SOG will result in progressive disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal. Copyright Lexipol, LLC 2023/12/14, All Rights Reserved. Driving Department Vehicles - 5 Published with permission by New Lenox Fire Protection District