MV-02 Apparatus Blocking PDF

The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines MV-02 – APPARATUS BLOCKING 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 2.0 SCOPE 2.1 3.0 To establish practices that will provide maximum protection and safety for all TWFD personnel and equipment operating in or near moving vehicle traffic on major transportation corridors....

The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines MV-02 – APPARATUS BLOCKING 1.0 PURPOSE 1.1 2.0 SCOPE 2.1 3.0 To establish practices that will provide maximum protection and safety for all TWFD personnel and equipment operating in or near moving vehicle traffic on major transportation corridors. This guideline applies to all TWFD personnel responding to any roadway incident in which traffic conditions expose responders to unacceptable risk. GUIDELINE 3.1 A minimum of two heavy apparatus companies will be dispatched for any emergency incident on I-45 to allow enough resources to provide adequate responder safety from traffic. A secondary heavy apparatus may be requested by the initial arriving Company Officer on any other roadway where traffic conditions warrant additional protection from traffic. 3.2 The first arriving apparatus to such an incident will execute an upstream (between oncoming traffic and the incident site) block of the incident by positioning at an offset angle. Apparatus should be positioned in such a way to protect the pump panel area and pump operator should hose lines need to be deployed. The front wheels of the apparatus should be turned away from the incident site, so that if struck by traffic, will allow for apparatus movement away from the incident site. The upstream block should protect the incident site, plus provide one lane of clear traffic for safe operations. 3.3 The second arriving apparatus will execute an upstream block between traffic and the first apparatus, and position at an offset angle. The distance between the first and second apparatus may be dictated by weather, traffic, or terrain, but should be at least two apparatus lengths. Traffic cones should be placed between the two apparatus, and upstream of the second apparatus. The purpose of the second blocking apparatus is for physical scene and responder protection. Any equipment needed on scene should be deployed from the first arriving apparatus when possible. Page 1 of 2 Issued: 04/04/2014 Revised: 05/19/2014 Reviewed: 06/07/2018 The Woodlands Fire Department Operational Guidelines MV-02 – APPARATUS BLOCKING 3.4 The distance away from the incident that the first block is established is dependent on whether the apparatus and/or crew will be required to mitigate the incident, assist other units, or be dedicated to traffic safety. Incidents located in a curve, cresting an overpass, or in inclement weather (fog, rain, ice, etc.) will require the blocking apparatus to position further upstream to slow or divert traffic for safety reasons. 3.5 Light apparatus (EMS units, staff/command vehicles, etc. shall position downstream of the incident (between the incident site and departing traffic) and should not be utilized as a block unless there is a safety advantage to protect personnel. 3.6 Wearing of an ANSI Class II vest is mandatory for all roadway incidents, day or night, and may be worn over standard PPE. Vests will not be required by responders wearing bunker coats. 3.7 Night-Time Operations: A. Strategic Lighting- Eliminating glare from a night-time incident scene will greatly enhance firefighter safety B. All scene lighting, either fixed or portable, should be angled away from upstream vehicles and opposing traffic C. Electronic flares may be placed between cones. Cones can be further illuminated by apparatus spotlights or by placing hand lights inside the cones, facing downstream. Page 2 of 2 Issued: 04/04/2014 Revised: 05/19/2014 Reviewed: 06/07/2018