Safe Vehicle Operations June 2010

Class Objectives Review of current driving issues Discuss the driver evaluation that will be conducted by a station officer

Driving Concerns Additional Rollover Issues –Seatbelts –Driver Distraction Driving too fast for conditions Intersections Backing

Rollover Accidents Engine 401 March 4, 2009

Seatbelts Mandatory use by ALL occupants Liability issues Driver is responsible – do not move until all are “clicked”

Driver Distraction Items in the cab –Light controls –Radios –Mapbook Cell phones –Calls –Texting

Driving Too Fast For Conditions Emergency vs. non-emergency Weather Traffic conditions

Myth When you have your lights and siren on, people will get out of your way!

Remember…Always drive defensively

Intersections: Policy vs Law Fire District policy MO state law Follow our policy

Intersections: According to VFIS and USFA –503 LODD –121 responding to or returning from 1 in 4

Intersections: According to VFIS Nearly 24% of emergency vehicle accidents occurred at intersections and these accounted for 45% of the dollar loss

Guidelines of Intersection Safety Do not rely on warning devices to clear traffic Scan intersections for possible hazards Begin to slow down well before reaching the intersection Change the siren setting to “yelp” (add air horn?) at least 200 ft before the intersection Scan the intersection for passing options If all lanes of traffic cannot be accounted for, stop! Treat each lane of traffic like another intersection

“Busting the Intersection” Is not acceptable under any circumstances! Stopping adds on the average 40 seconds to the arrival time – AND SAVES OUR LIVES

What do 105 (the old tandem axle Ford), 401, 805 (2x), 901, 1201, 1401 have in common?

Answer – they all have gone off the paved section of the highway and (nearly) overturned.

Backing Get out and check before backing If available – use a rear spotter Make sure the spotter is aware of everything on both sides of the vehicle! Use two spotter’s (one in front and one in back) if you are going to turn while backing

This month -- You will receive a driving evaluation (in the engine) by one of your officers over one of your station road courses before the end of August.

Summary