Highway Incident Safety For Emergency Responders

II. DEFINE TERMS Advance Warning Procedures that notify approaching motorists of emergency traffic control measures ahead. Block Creating a physical barrier by positioning apparatus at an angle across the lanes of traffic. Buffer Zone The space between the work zone and near by traffic. Downstream Direction that traffic moves away from the incident scene. Flagger Individual assigned to monitor approaching traffic and provide warning if motorists fail to follow traffic control measures.

Shadow The protected work area that is shielded by the block provided by properly placed emergency apparatus. Taper The action of merging several lanes of moving traffic into fewer moving lanes. Work Zone The area in which emergency crews perform incident related tasks; fire, extrication, EMS. Transition Zone Lanes of a roadway where approaching motorists change speed and position to comply with traffic control measures. Upstream Direction that traffic moves from when approaching the incident scene.

III. RESPONDING TO THE SCENE 1.) Driving Regulations. a.) Emergency vehicle operators are regulated by; * State Laws ( Insert Law) * Municipal Laws ( Insert Law) * Department Policies ( Insert Policy) NOTE: Emergency vehicle operators are not exempt from criminal or civil litigation if involved in an accident while responding.

2.) Vehicle Speed & Safety. a.) Governed by laws, and department policy. b.) Excessive, unsafe speed is never justified. c.) Adjust speed and driving for night, weather, poor visibility. d.) Stop for school busses. e.) Obey speed limits in school zones. f.) Stop at all red lights and Stop signs. g.) Slow down or stop at all green light intersections. h.) Limited access highway with traffic back up; approach scene using unoccupied roadway shoulder. I.) Try to pass stopped vehicles only on the left side.

3.) Defensive Driving. a.) Anticipate other driver’s actions. b.) Intersections are where most accidents occur. c.) Keep eyes moving, scan area, look ahead. d.) Use emergency sirens & signals. e.) Maintain adequate distance for breaking and reaction time.

IV. EMERGENCY VEHICLE PLACEMENT 1.) Always position first arriving vehicle to protect the scene, patients, and emergency personnel. a.) Protect work area from traffic approaching from at least one direction. b.) Angle apparatus across the roadway to create a physical barrier between the crash scene and approaching traffic. c.) Proper apparatus placement should slow and re-direct approaching motorists around the emergency scene. d.) Use apparatus to block at least one lane more than the obstruction. e.) position fire apparatus so that the pump operator is not exposed to approaching traffic.

2.) Large apparatus should be placed in order to create a safe parking area for other vehicles. Emergency personnel should remain with in the “shadow” of the blocking vehicle at all times. 3.) Ambulance units should be parked within the protected work area. a.) Rear loading doors should be angled away from nearest lanes of moving traffic. 4.) Command should stage all unnecessary vehicles off the roadway, or return these units to service as soon as possible.

3.) When blocking with apparatus, remember to establish a sufficient size work area that includes; a.) Operating personnel b.) Damaged vehicles & road debris c.) Extrication area d.) Patient triage and treatment areas e.) Ambulance loading zone f.) Staging areas

6.) Incidents in middle lanes or intersections. a.) Two or more sides will need to be protected. b.) Strategically place police units for additional protection. c.) Communicate vehicle placement needs effectively. d.) If charged hose line needed, on the opposite side of on-coming traffic. (Down Stream)

Posted Speed Limit Distance 7.) Traffic Cone Use and placement. a.) Deploy cones from rear of apparatus toward approaching traffic. b.) Personnel shall face on-coming traffic when placing or retrieving cones and flares. c.) Traffic cones or flares should be placed at 15 foot intervals. d.) Total distance of placement is related to posted speed limit. Posted Speed Limit Distance 35 MPH 100 ft 45 MPH 150 ft 55 MPH 200 ft 65 MPH 250 ft +

Proper placement helps other responding resources with easy access and a safe working area.

V. PERSONNEL SAFETY 1.) Never trust approaching traffic. 2.) Avoid turning your back to approaching traffic. 3.) Always wear Class III high visibility reflective vests or structural PPE during daytime operations. 4.) Always wear structural firefighting or other approved helmet. 5.) Always wear full reflective gear, including vest, during night operations or poor visibility conditions. 6.) Remain aware of surroundings.

7.) Always look before you move. 8.) Keep an eye on moving traffic. 9.) Avoid turning your back on moving traffic. 10.) Always look before opening doors & exiting vehicles. a.) Use caution, remain alert. b.) If possible, exit / enter vehicle from the “shadow” side, facing away from moving traffic. 11.) Remain in the blocked “work zone.”

VI. OPERATION SAFETY 1.) First arriving fire engine should block lane occupied by damaged vehicle plus one additional traffic lane. 2.) Dispatch ladder truck to all limited access, high volume highways. a.) Block traffic “upstream” of 1st arriving engine. Occupy at least 2 lanes of roadway and paved shoulder. b.) Place cones / flares “upstream” from ladder truck. c.) Ladder driver shall sound a series of long horn blasts to warn personnel of dangerous actions of oncoming motorists.

3.) Assign a “Flagger.” a.) Monitor approaching traffic. b.) Notify Command dangers involving approaching traffic. 4.) Assign an incident Safety Officer. a.) Incident Commander may have to temporarily assume the role Safety Officer upon initial response arrival. 5.) Properly place traffic cones / flares. a.) Night and low visibility, place flares next to traffic cones. 6.) Establish liaison with Police Department. 7.) Use Police vehicles to provide additional blocking as needed.

8.) Place medical units inside the safety of the work zone. a.) Patient loading area shall be inside work zone. 9.) Stage additional units safely off the highway. 10.) Turn off all emergency vehicle lighting that will impair vision of oncoming traffic at night. a.) Includes headlights and spotlights. b.) Other emergency lights shall remain on. Light bars, etc. 11.) Upon termination of incident, promptly remove personnel and vehicles from roadway.

VII. Lane Identification 1.) Lanes of traffic shall be identified numerically as “Lane 1”, “Lane 2”, “Lane 3”, etc. 2.) Identify lanes from right to left. a.) The directions right and left shall be identified from the approaching motorists point of view. Left “Lane 2” Right “Lane 1”