Evesham Fire-Rescue Engine Apparatus Operator Training Emergency Vehicle Operations

2 Module Objectives Given a lecture on Emergency Vehicle Operations, the student will:Given a lecture on Emergency Vehicle Operations, the student will: –Identify common cause of apparatus accidents and related statistics. –Understand the importance of defensive driving while enroute to emergencies. –Identify driving regulations associated with driving emergency vehicles.

3 Apparatus Driver Primary job is to maneuver and safely control the apparatus.Primary job is to maneuver and safely control the apparatus. You are responsible for the safety of your crew and the publicYou are responsible for the safety of your crew and the public If you don’t arrive safely, you can’t help anyone.If you don’t arrive safely, you can’t help anyone.

4 Consider the impacts Injured department personnel.Injured department personnel. Injuries to innocent by-standers.Injuries to innocent by-standers. Criminal and civil lawsuits.Criminal and civil lawsuits. Tarnished image and negative public relations.Tarnished image and negative public relations.

5 NFPA Statistics 20% of all firefighter injuries and deaths annually are from vehicle accidents.20% of all firefighter injuries and deaths annually are from vehicle accidents. Approximately 25 civilians die each year in apparatus collisions.Approximately 25 civilians die each year in apparatus collisions.

6 Apparatus accidents Most occur in ideal weather and on dry roads.Most occur in ideal weather and on dry roads. Most apparatus accidents are preventable.Most apparatus accidents are preventable. Accidents can be grouped into five categories.Accidents can be grouped into five categories.

7 Common causes Improper backing.Improper backing. Reckless driving by civilians.Reckless driving by civilians. Excessive apparatus speed.Excessive apparatus speed. Lack of driving experience/training.Lack of driving experience/training. Poor apparatus design or maintenance.Poor apparatus design or maintenance.

8 Additional factors Overconfidence in driving ability.Overconfidence in driving ability. Inability to recognize road hazard.Inability to recognize road hazard. Misunderstanding of apparatus capabilities.Misunderstanding of apparatus capabilities. Lack of training in emergency maneuvers.Lack of training in emergency maneuvers.

9 Driving Regulations Federal, state and local laws.Federal, state and local laws. NFPA Standards.NFPA Standards. Departmental policies and SOPs.Departmental policies and SOPs. Emergency vehicles are bound by same driving laws as regular vehicles. (Ex. - school bus laws)Emergency vehicles are bound by same driving laws as regular vehicles. (Ex. - school bus laws)

10 Driver Attitude Drive in a calm and safe manner.Drive in a calm and safe manner. You can’t demand the right of way, it must be yielded to you.You can’t demand the right of way, it must be yielded to you. Consider the public image of the department.Consider the public image of the department.

11 Apparatus Rider Safety Riders should be belted and seated.Riders should be belted and seated. Personnel should never ride outside the apparatus.Personnel should never ride outside the apparatus. Safety bars or gates on jumpseat areas are not a substitute for safety.Safety bars or gates on jumpseat areas are not a substitute for safety.

12 Backing the vehicle Most accidents occur while backing.Most accidents occur while backing. Avoid backing if at all possible.Avoid backing if at all possible. Use spotters whenever backing.Use spotters whenever backing. All apparatus should have back-up alarms.All apparatus should have back-up alarms.

13 Defensive Driving Intersections are the most likely place for an accident to occur.Intersections are the most likely place for an accident to occur. Come to a complete stop before proceeding through red lights.Come to a complete stop before proceeding through red lights. Driving in the on coming lane of traffic is not recommended.Driving in the on coming lane of traffic is not recommended.

14 Defensive Driving Techniques Anticipate other drivers actions.Anticipate other drivers actions. Estimate visual lead time.Estimate visual lead time. Estimate braking and reaction time.Estimate braking and reaction time. Understand weight transfer.Understand weight transfer. Combating skids.Combating skids.

15 Anticipate other drivers Aim high in the steering.Aim high in the steering. Get the big picture.Get the big picture. Keep your eyes moving.Keep your eyes moving. Leave yourself an “out”.Leave yourself an “out”. Make sure others can see and hear you.Make sure others can see and hear you.

16 Visual lead time Scan far enough ahead to anticipate roadway hazards.Scan far enough ahead to anticipate roadway hazards. Visual lead time affects reaction time and breaking distance.Visual lead time affects reaction time and breaking distance. Aim high in the steering - get the big picture.Aim high in the steering - get the big picture.

17 Braking and Reaction Time Total stopping distance = Driver reaction time + vehicle braking distance.Total stopping distance = Driver reaction time + vehicle braking distance. Vehicle speed and weight directly affect braking distance.Vehicle speed and weight directly affect braking distance. Proper hand position for driving large apparatus is 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.Proper hand position for driving large apparatus is 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.

18 Weight Transfer Physics laws - an object in motion tends to remain in motion.Physics laws - an object in motion tends to remain in motion. A change in direction or velocity will cause a weight transfer.A change in direction or velocity will cause a weight transfer. Reduce speed when approachingReduce speed when approaching

19 Combating Skids Most common causes of skidsMost common causes of skids –Driving too fast for road conditions –Failing to anticipate weight transfer –Failing to anticipate obstacles –Improper use of auxiliary braking devices –Improper care of tires and air pressure

20 Passing other vehicles Avoid passing vehicles that have not yet yielded.Avoid passing vehicles that have not yet yielded. Avoid passing on the right.Avoid passing on the right. Avoid driving in opposing traffic lanes.Avoid driving in opposing traffic lanes. Avoid passing other emergency vehiclesAvoid passing other emergency vehicles

21 Adverse weather Rain, snow, ice and mud make roads slippery.Rain, snow, ice and mud make roads slippery. It takes 3 to 15 times more distance to stop on slippery roads.It takes 3 to 15 times more distance to stop on slippery roads. Adjust speed based on road curves and crowning.Adjust speed based on road curves and crowning.

22 Use of Warning Devices Motorists respond better to changes in pitch and tones.Motorists respond better to changes in pitch and tones. Above 50 mph, the apparatus will outrun the range of the sirens.Above 50 mph, the apparatus will outrun the range of the sirens. Be aware of other emergency vehicles at intersections.Be aware of other emergency vehicles at intersections.

23 Summary Apparatus driver are responsible to arrive safely every time.Apparatus driver are responsible to arrive safely every time. You don’t own the road, other drivers must first yield to you.You don’t own the road, other drivers must first yield to you. Know your equipment and S.O.P.sKnow your equipment and S.O.P.s