Chapter 9 Roadway Operations

Objectives Explain the concept of roadway safety. List the core components of roadway/highway operations. Identify the ten best practices to ensure roadway safety.

Case Study Review and discuss the case study.

Terms Advance warning Block Buffer zone Downstream Flagger Shadow Taper Temporary work zone Transition zone Upstream

Introduction

The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices or MUTCD Addresses virtually every component of highway safety. Published by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under 23 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 655, Subpart F.

Traffic Control Devices Fulfill a need Command attention Convey a clear, simple meaning Command respect from road users Give adequate time for proper response

The Challenge

Safety

Tactical Procedures Never trust approaching traffic. Avoid turning your back to approaching traffic. Establish an initial “block” with the first arriving emergency vehicle or fire apparatus.

Tactical Procedures Always wear Class III high visibility reflective vests during daylight operations. Always wear a structural firefighting helmet. Wear full protective clothing plus the highway safety vest at all vehicle-related emergencies.

Tactical Procedures Turn off all sources of vision impairment Use fire apparatus and police vehicles to initially redirect the flow of moving traffic Establish advance warning and adequate transition area

Tactical Procedures Use traffic cones and/or cones illuminated by flares Establish a fire department member assigned to the “Flagger” function

Benchmarks for Safe Parking Always position first-arriving apparatus to protect the scene, patients, and emergency personnel. Initial apparatus placement Angle apparatus on the roadway Allow apparatus placement to slow approaching motorists Use fire apparatus to block at least one additional traffic lane When practical, position apparatus in such a manner to protect the pump operator

Benchmarks for Safe Parking Positioning of large apparatus must create a safe parking area. Establish a sufficient size work zone. Ambulance should be positioned within the protected work area.

Benchmarks for Safe Parking Command shall stage unneeded emergency vehicles off the roadway or return these units to service whenever possible. At all intersections, or where the incident may be near the middle lane of the roadway, two or more sides of the incident will need to be protected.

Benchmarks for Safe Parking Traffic cones shall be deployed from the rear of the blocking apparatus Personnel shall place cones and flares and retrieve cones while facing oncoming traffic.

Benchmarks for Safe Parking Traffic cones shall be deployed at 15 feet intervals upstream of the blocking apparatus with the furthest traffic cone approximately 75 feet upstream to allow adequate advance warning to drivers. Additional traffic cones, when available, can be retrieved from police units to extend the advance warning area for approaching motorists.

Command and Control Assure that the first-arriving apparatus establishes an initial block to create an initial safe work area. Assign a parking location for all ambulances as well as later-arriving apparatus.

Command and Control Assure that all ambulances on-scene are placed within the protected work area (shadow) of the larger apparatus. Assure that all patient loading into EMS Units is done from within a protected work zone. The initial company officer and/or Incident Commander must operate as the Scene Safety Officer until this assignment is delegated.

Command and Control Command shall assure that Opticom strobe systems are turned OFF and that other emergency lighting remains ON. At residential medical emergencies, Command shall direct ambulances to park at the nearest curb to the residence for safe patient loading whenever possible.

Personnel Functions Always maintain an acute awareness of the high risk of working in or near moving traffic. Never trust moving traffic. Always look before you move! Always keep an eye on the moving traffic! Avoid turning your back to moving traffic.

Personnel Functions Personnel arriving in crew cabs of fire apparatus should exit and enter the apparatus from the protected ‘shadow’ side, away from moving traffic. Officers, vehicle and apparatus operators, crew members in apparatus with individual jump seat configurations and all ambulance personnel must exit and enter their units with extreme caution remaining alert to moving traffic at all times.

Personnel Functions Protective clothing, Class III safety vest, and helmet must be donned prior to exiting the emergency vehicle.

Personnel Functions Always look before opening doors and stepping out of apparatus or emergency vehicle into any moving traffic areas. When walking around fire apparatus or emergency vehicle, be alert to the individual proximity to moving traffic.

Personnel Functions Police department personnel may place traffic cones or flares at the scene to direct traffic. Place flares, where safe to do so.

Limited-Access Highway Operations

Unique Safe Parking Procedures First-arriving vehicle or apparatus shall establish an initial block of the lane(s) occupied by the damaged vehicle plus one additional traffic lane. In some departments, a ladder truck apparatus is automatically dispatched to all vehicle-related incidents on all limited-access, high-volume expressways, tollways, and highways within the city.

Unique Safe Parking Procedures Police department vehicles can be used to provide additional blocking of additional traffic lanes as needed. Staging of additional companies off the highway may be required.

Unique Safe Parking Procedures Command should establish a liaison with the Police department. The termination of the incident must be managed with the same aggressiveness as initial actions.

Ten Cones of Highway Incident Safety There Is No Substitute for Training Multiagency Coordination and Communications Are a Must—A Unified Incident Command Is Essential Limit Your Exposure…Limit Your Time Give Traffic Plenty of Warning Protect the Scene with Apparatus (Continued) Source – VFIS 2004

Ten Cones of Highway Incident Safety Always Work Away From the Traffic Be Prepared to Shut Down the Roadway Be Seen and Not Hurt Dress for the Occasion Accountability Matters Source – VFIS 2004

Officer’s Safe Parking “Cue Card” Block at least one additional lane Block so pump panel is “downstream” Block most critical or highest traffic volume direction first Consider requesting additional Police department assistance

Crews Wear Proper PPE with Helmet Class III vests at all times Helmet at all times Full PPE plus Class III vest between dusk and dawn or inclement weather

Establish More Than Adequate Advance Warning Traffic cones at 15 feet intervals. Deploy minimum 5 cones upstream. Cones only “Suggest” they don’t Block! Expand initial safe work zone.

Direct Placement of Ambulances Assure ambulances park within shadow of larger apparatus as directed. Lane 1 is farthest right lane, next is Lane 2, then Lane 3, etc., from approaching motorist’s point of view.

Direct Placement of Ambulances Direct ambulance to “block to the right” or “block to the left” to protect loading doors. All patient loading into Med Units is done from within a protected work zone.

You Are the Scene Safety Officer Consider assigning a responder as an upstream “Spotter” as necessary for approaching traffic

Night or Reduced Light Conditions Turn OFF vehicle headlights Turn OFF Opticom Provide overall scene lighting All personnel in PPE w/helmets Illuminate cones with flares Consider additional vehicle(s) for additional upstream “Block”

Limited-Access, High-Volume Highway Incidents Establish initial block: minimum two lanes Ladder truck establishes upstream block Place cones and/or cones illuminated by flares upstream of ladder truck apparatus

Limited-Access, High-Volume Highway Incidents Establish Flagger position Driver operator of ladder truck apparatus Use police department vehicles for additional blocking Stage additional companies off highway Establish liaison with Police department Terminate incident aggressively

The Georgia Move-Over-Law Review the law.

Case Study Review and discuss the case study.

Apparatus Placement

Scene Lighting and Marking

Reflective Vests

Standard Operating Procedures

Effect on Highway Operations

Limitations

Recommendations for Safe Operations During roadway/highway operations, position the vehicle at a 45-degree angle to the lanes. Fire engines Rescue vehicles Ambulances

Recommendations for Safe Operations Turn off forward-facing emergency vehicle lighting, especially on divided roadways. Reduce the use of lighting as much as possible at the scene. Require crew members to wear highly reflective material when conducting roadway/highway operations.

Recommendations for Safe Operations Remain vigilant during all phases of roadway/highway operations. Work with neighboring ESOs to develop similar roadway/highway operation policies. Allow all members to submit suggestions for policy enhancements.

Policies Assign a key member of the management team responsibility and authority to set and enforce comprehensive driver safety policy. Enforce mandatory seat belt use. Do not require workers to drive irregular hours or far beyond their normal working hours.

Policies Do not require workers to conduct business on a cell phone while driving. Develop work schedules that allow employees to obey speed limits and to follow applicable hours-of-service regulations.

Fleet Management Adopt a structured vehicle maintenance program. Provide company vehicles that offer the highest possible levels of occupant protection.

Safety Programs Teach workers strategies for recognizing and managing driver fatigue and in-vehicle distractions. Provide training to workers operating specialized motor vehicles or equipment. Emphasize to workers the need to follow safe driving practices on and off the job.

Driver Performance Ensure that workers assigned to drive on the job have a valid driver’s license and one that is appropriate for the type of vehicle to be driven. Check driving records of prospective employees, and perform periodic rechecks after hiring. Maintain complete and accurate records of workers’ driving performance.

Crash Prevention and Vehicle Safety Programs Vehicle placement at emergency scene: Placement on street and highways Positioning so as to minimize the blinding effect of warning lights Identify potential hazards at scene Identify safe distances from certain scenes Consideration for ease of leaving the scene Prevention Strategies for Employers (NIOSH DHHS Publication No. 2004-136 (2004, March)).

Vehicle Placement At emergencies located on streets and highways. At incidents so as to minimize the blinding effect of the warning lights on approaching and passing vehicles. Identification of potential hazards affecting placement of vehicles at emergency scenes.

Vehicle Placement Identify appropriate safe distances from certain types of emergencies. Consideration for the ease of leaving the scene.

Personnel Awareness NIOSH recommends: Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding emergency operations for roadway incidents. Implement an incident management system to manage all emergency incidents. Establish a unified command for incidents that occur where multiple agencies have jurisdiction. Ensure that a separate incident safety officer is appointed.

Personnel Awareness Develop preincident plans for areas that have a high rate of motor vehicle crashes. Establish preincident agreements with law enforcement and other agencies.

Personnel Awareness Ensure firefighters are trained in safe procedures for operating in or near moving traffic. Ensure that firefighters wear suitable high-visibility apparel, such as a strong yellow-green or orange reflecting flagger vest when operating at an emergency scene.

Personnel Awareness Firefighters: Ensure that the fire apparatus is positioned to take advantage of topography and weather conditions and to protection from traffic. Park or stage unneeded vehicles off the roadway. Control the oncoming vehicles before safely turning your attention to the emergency. Position yourself and any victim(s) in a secure area. Use a traffic control device that maximizes your visibility.

Vehicle Markings

Remain Vigilant

Sample SOP/SOGs

NIOSH Recommendations/Discussions Review recommendations.

Summary Highway operations pose special risks to personnel performing fire, rescue, and EMS functions. Preventing injury to responders must be at the forefront during any emergency situation. Basic responder awareness during response and on-scene can dramatically reduce the potential of a secondary incident. Strategically positioning vehicles, wearing personal protective and reflective apparel, and placing appropriate signage/coneage, and reducing exposure time can enhance scene safety for all responders.