Engine Ops General Considerations PDF

SECTION TOPICS Apparatus Positioning on Roadways SECTION OBJECTIVES Understand the differing goals of law enforcement vs. the fire service while operating at auto accident scenes Understand the safety precautions that should be taken during pump operations on roadway incidents Understand size-up...

SECTION TOPICS Apparatus Positioning on Roadways SECTION OBJECTIVES Understand the differing goals of law enforcement vs. the fire service while operating at auto accident scenes Understand the safety precautions that should be taken during pump operations on roadway incidents Understand size-up considerations for scenes on roadways Understand how to use fire apparatus as a blocker on roadway incidents Understand how road and weather conditions can affect roadway incidents Understand the role of the State Farm Blockers and know what radio channel to contact them on Identify optimal apparatus placement on wires down runs, EMS runs, and when checking hydrants Understand how to position fire apparatus on working extrications to provide room for Rescues Second Edition 01/31/22 24 OVERVIEW Although fires may be predictable, people are anything but. What do you get when you cross the iPhone era with a full-size SUV? A mass of traveling steel that can weigh upwards of 5,000 pounds with an operator who may be distracted by conversations, texting, movies, or even the warning lights on the apparatus. It is absolutely a risk of life and limb to operate around moving traffic, and it scares many firefighters more than any fire they might face. There is no more ill-at-ease feeling for firefighters than trying to extricate a patient with traffic rushing by a few inches away, and there is no excuse for it. E-2 was on the scene of a freeway accident when three cars in oncoming traffic got into another accident. One vehicle ended up this close to the bumper of E-2. One aspect often discussed about working auto accident scenes is the different goals of law enforcement and the fire service, especially on freeways or during heavier traffic conditions. Law drivers. While many auto accidents can be moved to a relatively safer location such as the median or other spaces away from the heaviest and fastest traffic flows, this presents two problems. One a median is not a safe space, especially in slick conditions. Traffic still rushes by, drivers are still distracted, and there are usually only inches separating stationary vehicles from speeding vehicles. Two emergency crews often are the first arriving companies and have other duties such as size-up, triage, extrication, packaging, and securing the vehicles before being able to move them, if they can be A CPD cruiser after being hit by a vehicle while stopped moved at all. on the side of a freeway to assist a stranded motorist. Second Edition 01/31/22 25 SIZE-UP A good size-up on any accident run starts with giving good consideration to the location, conditions, caller information, and any known hazards such as blind curves and frequent accident locations. Firefighters should also consider how to stage their apparatus best to protect their crews on arrival. Generally, the goal is to keep all personnel in the same safe area, preventing crews from crossing lanes of traffic on foot, and utilizing the bigger trucks as blocking apparatus. ROAD, WEATHER, AND DRIVER CONDITIONS Slick conditions such as rain, snow, and ice all cause both initial and resulting accidents, and these conditions also cause stopping distances to increase for all vehicles. However, even during warm, dry nights, a black vehicle on a poorly lit road may surprise many crews. How many freeway runs has the actual location matched the reported location? Not many. Realizing this and slowing a bit when approaching the dispatched area may help prevent a catastrophe. Good radio communications with other incoming companies can also help with an efficient and safe search for the wreck itself. While the 02:30 am freeway run could be the drunk driver trying to get home after last call, attitude and will either not reduce speed enough or not reduce it at all. Mechanical issues with a vehicle, such as poorly maintained brakes, might not allow a driver to stop in time to keep from hitting firefighters or apparatus. Also, the driver that swerves around a large truck only to hit the of mind might also factor into things as new drivers might panic, and older drivers may not see as well or process information as well as when they were younger. Stacking the deck in favor of our safety is paramount, not just during auto accidents, but other times as well. Not only do we possess large, heavy fire apparatus with warning lights all around it, we can place the apparatus very deliberately to protect our firefighters while they work. In addition, CFD also has plenty of apparatus, including some that can almost block an entire freeway by itself. AUTO ACCIDENTS Obviously the most contact firefighters will have with moving vehicles is on our streets and highways. The highway speeds now common will play a huge factor in how to place our apparatus. Out of control vehicles can travel hundreds of yards once a driver reacts, and that assumes the driver will react. FREEWAYS An engine company always has to prioritize safety during freeway runs. Engines can generally be placed behind the accident to be used as a blocker, creating a physical barrier that will hopefully take the brunt of the collision if a vehicle strikes it. One aspect to consider is the task of placing an attack line in service if needed. Smaller scenes may allow the bumper line for this, but using Second Edition 01/31/22 26 zone. Use caution when pulling a pre-connect off the rear where crews are directly exposed to oncoming traffic. Angling the engine can also allow a deflection of sorts should another vehicle strike the engine, but be aware of the pump operator being exposed to traffic. It may be much operator can then take a place of safety ahead of the scene. This positioning also allows the medic units to park in front of the wreckage, creating an easy exit if transporting. Rescues can park beside or slightly ahead of the wreckage, allowing good access for tools and lighting in case of an extrication. Battalion Chiefs and EMS/Rescue Supervisors may park ahead of the wreckage out of the way when possible. Parking a buggy behind an engine puts a smaller, lighter car in a bad spot, and it also requires the firefighter to walk forward to the engine, increasing risk. Once the engine ays in place, even on non-injury accidents, until the accident site is rendered safe for our personnel to leave. STATE FARM BLOCKERS The Ohio Department of Transportation often works with sponsor companies to fund and staff freeway assistance vehicles. These vehicles are staffed by operators that have large signs to warn and block traffic, traffic cones to physically create lane barriers, and they even have some towing capabilities. These vehicles are invaluable; they will generally create barriers behind CFD apparatus, making a much safer scene overall. They are controlled and dispatched by a worker that monitors several dozen cameras, giving a good remote view of a scene. Contacting these dispatchers can help narrow down a confusing location if firefighters are having trouble finding an accident scene. Even before firefighters arrive on scene, they can request the freeway assistance trucks be dispatched. These dispatchers can be contacted on 9 D06-FSP, one click past 9 Police Fire. Second Edition 01/31/22 27 OTHER VEHICLES Ladder trucks respond on many freeway responses as extrication companies. Even if a ladder is not assigned, consider calling one if needed. The length of the ladder apparatus can provide a significant barrier for protection. Detailed instructions and directions may be needed to place the ladder where needed to create an effective buffer zone. In a pinch, and if it can be done safely, other vehicles can also be used. Semi-trucks or large box trucks can be used to create barriers. Many professional drivers are sympathetic to the risk firefighters face, and they may readily assist when asked. SMALLER ROADS Smaller roads also create hazards for the same reasons mentioned previously. These scenes can actually be worse due to traffic moving in different directions and/or speeds. Sizing up a scene to create protection can be done in the same manner as freeway responses, but more specific radio instructions on apparatus placement will likely be needed. EMS RUNS On ALS medic runs, firefighters can often place the engine in a position to protect the crew. Just like the rescue technician feeling spooked working close by moving traffic, medic crews often find themselves loading patients while the rear of the medic unit is exposed to traffic passing by. This is especially an issue downtown or on busier streets. While many crews may put the engine in front of the medic to make leaving easier, positioning the engine behind the medic offers greater protection to mitigate the traffic risk. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS A Wires Down run may not be one that crews consider a traffic risk, but it can easily place crews in traffic as they investigate. Crews are at additional risk if a vehicle strikes a pole or downed wire. Blocking the roadway the proper distance away and calling for other apparatus to block from other directions as needed is key. In fact, any other instance where firefighters are exposed to traffic, such as checking hydrants, will benefit from a smart position that minimizes the risk of being hit. Second Edition 01/31/22 28