Forming and Training Motorsports Safety Teams December 11, 2015 ICMS Conference, Indianapolis Presented by: Rodney Johnson and Manuela Johnson

Why Have a Safety Team?

Interviews with drivers Drivers run risks for the love of racing June 14, 2013, Kenny Bruce, NASCAR.com Drivers assume risk every time they climb behind the wheel. Those risks increase, he said, when it’s done at a local track. They are surrounded by less resources safety-wise, and they are surrounded by more hazardous conditions, whether it’s the track itself, the cars they are running and the rules, or even the competitors. And that can be a very dangerous combination. - Brad Keselowski We all know that racing is dangerous. Anything you race. We’re racers. It’s not something any of us want to think about because we love racing so much. - Carl Edwards

How Safe Is Your Track? Written by Jeff Huneycutt on September 1, 2000 Contributors: Paul Melhado Retaining Walls Track Surface Lights Safety Crews The Rules Your car may be as safe as possible, but how safe are the cars of the competitors you race with, and how safe is the track you race on? These are questions many racers never bother to ask. You may think you have no control over the safety procedures and infrastructure at your local track, but in a way, you do: Find somewhere else to race. It may seem drastic, but it beats an unnecessary injury, or worse. To help you gauge how safe your track is, Circle Track has put together some tips for things you should look for the next time you go racing. But first a warning: As with everything else in life, there are no absolutes. Racing is dangerous, and no matter how safety conscious a track is, injuries will occur. These are only guidelines; your own best judgment should be your ultimate guide.

Racing is a dangerous sport Competition Rules are written for the orderly conduct of the event. Rules are intended to regulate the conduct of the sport, but do not guarantee against injury or death of participants, spectators or others. Participation is in the sport is voluntary. Competitors ultimately have responsibility for their own safety.

Team Composition Fire Rescue EMS Wrecker/Recovery Services Facilities Maintenance

Safety Team Considerations Volunteer No Cost Pay safety organization Give the organization a donation for their members services Hire Your Own Team Members Employee/Employer relationship Travelling Team Local Team have the benefit in they have … Knowledge of Facilities Knowledge of the community responders, hospitals, other amenities For local teams you can have …. Volunteers – still require safety training – OSHA considers them employees The no cost is really not no cost .Paying an organization to provide the responders Hiring your own team members. Travelling teams – benfits are: Knowledge of Drivers and Teams Familiarity with vehicle construction and trends But …. They don’t know local limitations, and are only available when the travelling program is in town.

Safety Team Considerations Insurance Personnel Medical Workmen’sComp Equipment Damage Failure to Operate Liability Errors and Omissions Damages Safety Equipment

Expectations Promoter Sanctioning Body Insurance Track Owner Track Operator

The Training Dilemma Don’t they come already trained? Who can train personnel? SFI program Sanction body Some training facilities Private trainers

What Do Safety Teams Need to Know? NFPA 610 – Guideline Depends on their role In The Facility or Organization’s Emergency Action Plan Expectations

Training Basics Event Rules/Guidelines How does an event operate Required safety equipment for competitors

Fuels Fire is the Biggest Fear in Motorsports What kind of Fuels are being used in competition? Gasoline Methanol Compressed Gases (LP, LNG) Nitromethane Electrical - Voltages Oxygenators Nitrous Oxide How do I know which fuel is in a competition vehicle?

Power Shut Off Are there master power switches? Locations How do they operate?

On Board Safety Equipment On Board Extinguishers

On Board Safety Equipment Safety Harnesses, Head and Neck Restraints

On Board Safety Equipment Specialty Seating Specialized Padding

On Board Safety Equipment Window and side nets

Access to Competitor Doors Emergency Hatches Specialty releases

Roll Cages

ROLL BAR CONFIGURATIONS MIDGET / SPRINT/ SILVER CROWN

Special Designed Hand Controls

Training Key to an effective team Classroom Hands On Should be conducted multiple times throughout the season

Questions Contact Information Rodney Johnson d3rodney@earthlink.net 317-534-8444 Manuela (Ela) Johnson elajohnson@earthlink.net (317) 443-4677 PO Box 32 Greenwood, IN 46142