1 Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter Who Was Responding to Alarm - Ohio Death in the line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation May 18, 2000 Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

2 Junior Fire Fighter Killed While Responding to Fire Alarm in His POV - Pennsylvania Death in the line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation June 29, 2001 Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

3 Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter - Ohio Death in the line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation June 10, 2002 Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

4 Defensive Driving to Die For Privately Owned Vehicle Response Related Deaths

5 Report Findings Related to POV Response Related Deaths “Only knowledge of the problem and positive steps taken in advance of the response can stem this alarming tide of firefighter fatalities” Fire Chief Staff Online Exclusive October 9, 2003

6 Motor Vehicle Collisions Since 1984, MVC accounted for 20-25% of FF deaths –27% fatalities were ejections –21% fatalities were wearing seatbelts U.S. Fire Administration Fire Data FF Fatality Retrospective Study

7 Firefighters as Victims NIOSH – FF Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Annual Report 2001 # of FF

8

2004 Statistics 107 FF died in the Line-of-Duty 7 FF deaths involved POV

10 “We Don’t Think It Will Happen to Us” Responding to an incident in POV: hit and killed motorist in another vehicle Delhi Township, Holt, MI - Lt. brought to trial and received 1 year in jail, responsible restitution for funeral fees to family and received 5 years probation Firehouse January 1997

11 Response in P rivately O wned V ehicles Speed limits Going through traffic control devices Passing in an unsafe manner Use of lights and sirens lcfireservice.org POV ARE NOT EMERGENCY VEHICLES

12 “Safer Response in POV” Carelessness or poor judgment can reflect poorly on the fire department Response to structural fires in a call/volunteer fire department community Strategic plan for response procedures Many questions need to be asked to develop criteria Fire Chief October 1995

13 Legal Issues Personal insurance Local government insurance “Big L” - Liability – Criminal and Civil VFIS News September 1994 and FDSOA Health and Safety April 1995

14 True Emergency “A situation in which there is a high probability of death or serious injury to an individual or significant property loss, and action by an emergency vehicle operator may reduce the seriousness of the situation.” Department of Transportation

15 Answer the following… How would you drive to the following: –Structure fire? –Structure fire with persons trapped? –Person choking? –Child choking? –Child in a swimming pool? –Dog through the ice?

Drive according to road conditions, not incident conditions!

17 Windshield Photos

Adopted by the IAFC’s board of directors on Aug. 14 and unveiled at Fire-Rescue International in Dallas in August 2003, the alcohol use policy bans alcohol drinking "by any members of any fire or emergency services agency/ organization at any time when they may be called upon to act or respond as a member of those departments."

Basically, if someone has consumed alcohol within the previous eight (8) hours, or is still noticeably impaired by alcohol consumed previous to the eight (8) hours, they must voluntarily remove themselves from the activities and functions of the fire or emergency services agency/organization, including all emergency operations and training.

No member of a fire & emergency services agency/organization shall participate in any aspect of the organization and operation of the fire or emergency agency/organization under the influence of alcohol, including but not limited to any fire and emergency operations, fire- police, training, etc

All fire & emergency service agencies/organizations should develop written policies and have procedures in place to support and enforce this policy recommendation. Included in such a policy should be provisions for blood alcohol testing of any individuals involved with any accident that causes measurable damage to apparatus or property or injury/death of agency/organization personnel or civilians.

38 US Department of Justice Public Safety Officers Death Benefit Statute No benefits shall be paid if the public safety officer was voluntarily intoxicated at the time of his death or catastrophic injury

Intoxication means a disturbance of mental or physical faculties resulting from the introduction of alcohol into the body as evidenced by: –A post-mortem blood alcohol level of.20 per centum or greater; or –A post-mortem blood alcohol level or at least.10 per centum but less than.20 unless the bureau receives convincing evidence that the public safety officer was not acting in an intoxicated manner immediately prior to his death

40 NFPA 1710 and 1720 Upon assembling of resources, safe initial operations shall commence within two minutes Initial attack shall be organized with at least four members assembled before starting interior operations Two FF shall work as a team Two In-Two Out “Nothing regarding speed or time toward getting on scene”

41 NFPA 1710 and 1720 Health and Safety is paramount Imminent life safety/NFPA 1500 Support activities to operations –i.e. Rehab, Air Supply, Water Shuttle, EMS, etc.

42 Concerns Safety Liability Public Opinion Civil and Criminal Action Fire Chief October 1995

43 Remedies Understand and review Policies and Procedures Attend driver training seminars Encourage the review of prior accidents and establish policy review and update

44 Accountability For the person responding in their privately owned vehicle For once you are on scene

45 “Tactical Sequence” Receipt of alarm Responding directly to scene in POV Mental checklist Approaching the scene Size up including potential situation and environmental hazards Staging area for POV Properly dressed in PPE and equipped Fire Chief October 1995

46 Ensure A Safer Response Drive with due care Slower means safer Listen and watch at RR crossings Awareness of others Open window Park safely Park wisely Wear seatbelts Never operate vehicle while fatigued Never operate vehicle while intoxicated or on medication Stop at all intersections Firehouse June 1998

47 EVR Guidelines vs. POV Guidelines Circle of Safety Warning Devices and True Emergencies Vehicle Control and Right-of-Way Response Speeds Intersection Practices Non-emergency Response Ordinary Travel Procedures Riding Policy Backing Response in Private Owned Vehicles lcfireservice.org

48 Recommendation for Policy “Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures regarding the safe operation of all vehicles responding to a fire alarm.” NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty June 10, 2002

49 Recommendation for Policy “Develop standard operating procedures as they relate to responding to or returning from an alarm and monitor their use in POV” NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty June 10, 2002

50 Recommendation for Policy “Provide defensive driver training to all emergency vehicle operators through insurance carriers from local community” NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty June 10, 2002

51 Recommendation for Policy “Ensure that all drivers are trained and certified in emergency vehicle operations.”

52 Recommendation for Policy “Ensure that firefighters observe standard operating procedures and state motor-vehicle codes for safely driving and operating a privately owned vehicle while responding to a fire alarm.” NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty June 10, 2002

53 Recommendation for Policy “To encourage, promote and support an emergency vehicle operations certification with recognized safety standards and thorough training and education” NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty June 10, 2002

54 Recommendation for Policy “Established written policies and properly trained personnel are important in enabling members to respond promptly when called, yet do so safely and legally.” Fire Chief – November 1997 SOP’s

55 Basic Requirements Time on the department (12 months) Complete a certification course in EVO Familiar with Policies, Procedures and Fireground Tactics Successfully complete a practical training evolution on a driving course Fire Chief October 1995 These are points for becoming Motor Pump Operators that could be used while driving your POV.

56 Consequences Driver Training Program Certification for all drivers - AHJ Preemption system at all intersections Drug and Alcohol Education Program Critical Incident Stress Management Emergencyvehicleresponse.com August 8, 2003

57 Chapter 89 MGL 89:7 - Right of way of fire engines, patrol vehicles and ambulances; penalty 89:7A - Restrictions on use of ways upon approach of emergency vehicles 89:7B - Operation of emergency vehicles

58 Chapter 90 MGL 90:7E - Display of red or blue lights on vehicles; permits; revocation; violations

59 “Just because it looks and sounds like a duck, does not make it a duck” Driving with due regard Lights and sirens are covered in what section of your state laws? Permission from fire chief or AHJ Fire Chief - November 1997

60 Quality and Enforcement Department Safety Officer responsibility Quality Assurance System Random Assessment of Compliance All incidents (accidents) reported Investigation follow through Reports Disciplinary actions Alterations to policies and procedures Fire Chief October 1995

61 Drive as if your life depends on it IT DOES!