1. CPNZ Basic Training 011 – Vehicle Accident ‘Crash Plan’

2. If you have ever driven past a major vehicle crash, you may have noticed that all of the attending emergency services always parked in the same way. This presentation should give you an overview of why that is and how your patrol vehicle could assist or hinder the event. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

3. As a general indicator, should a vehicle crash occur in a 100kph zone or on any section of motorway, the scene is attended by ALL Emergency Services. You may consider checking your local area to see what crash protocols exist. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

4. The prime concern of attending emergency services at any event is the safety and protection of their staff. Staff safety is always first as if these personnel are injured, who will attend to the needs of the original event. Or put simply, who will rescue the rescuers? Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

5. Motor vehicle crashes on any roadway create extra hazards for emergency staff. The main hazard is the speed of approaching unaware traffic and their unpredictable reactions. In order to reduce this risk and to create a safe working environment, a ‘Crash Plan’ is used. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

6. An initial crash plan can be as simple as having appropriately dressed staff slowing or directing traffic well clear of the event. These are known as ‘Protection Points’. An example of this is shown on the following page. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

7. Crash Scene Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

8. Line of Sight for approaching traffic Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

9. Danger Zone Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

10. Protection Points Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

11. The diagrams illustrate how using ‘Protection Points’ creates a safer working zone at the crash scene. In these diagrams the ‘Protection Points’ would be stopping the traffic as the roadway is blocked. Wearing the correct Safety Jackets and having the right equipment is essential. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

12. The next stage of Scene protection is very subtle, but very effective. Initial attending emergency vehicles park on an angle with the front of the vehicles pointing out onto the roadway. This allows greater visibility to approaching traffic and deflects any other impact away from attending staff. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

13. Any stray vehicle that impacts with the rear emergency vehicle is deflected away from emergency responders and their working area. It keeps them safe! Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

14. Initial Emergency Vehicles Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

15. Emergency Responders use what is known as an ‘Extraction Plan’. Each service vehicle has a place to be and a function to carry out. This creates shielded and safe zones for: Control Point Tool Staging Area Working Sector (or Zone) and Patient Extraction Area Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

16. The following pages shows an ‘Extraction Plan’ that places the emergency vehicles in their usual locations. The first Police Vehicle to encounter following traffic is shown a lot closer than it should be, but only for the purpose of explaining this plan. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

17. Tail end Police car. Alerts and directs traffic. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

18. Fire Rescue vehicle. Supplies specialised equipment and staff to assist with the extraction. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

19. Fire Pump Tender. Supplies fire fighting equipment and additional staff to assist. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

20. Control Point. Well protected by the vehicles and enables a systematic approach to the extraction. Also has a Safety Overview. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

21. Tool Staging Area for staff and all equipment from the Fire Rescue vehicle. Provides easy and ready access to any required equipment Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

22. Physical Cordon that indicates the limited access area. May be staffed by spare Fire Officers and/or using large traffic cones Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

23. Support Sector that is for Emergency Services Staff supporting those working in the immediate crash area. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

24. Also allows for a safe working environment for Paramedics and Ambulance Staff prior to transporting any patient. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

25. Immediate Working Area limited to only the emergency staff required at that time. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

26. Ambulance position. Note that the loading area of the ambulance in inside Support Sector and still well protected from traffic. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

27. Lead Police car. Alerts and directs traffic. Vehicle is angled towards the side of the road as a visual indicator for other traffic. Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

28. Next time you pass or see a Traffic Crash Site with all emergency vehicles in attendance, look to see how the vehicles are positioned. What can you as a Patroller learn from this? Vehicle ‘Crash Plan’

29. CPNZ Basic Training 011 – Vehicle Accident ‘Crash Plan’ ends