ROCKY HILL FIRE DEPARTMENT

STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINE

SAFE VEHICLE OPERATIONS

Purpose:

The objective of this guideline is to provide guidance for members operating emergency vehicles.

Scope:

Vehicles shall be operated at all times with the following priorities in mind.

• The safety of the occupants.
• The objective of the travel [emergency, non-emergency]

Furthermore, all passengers shall be seated, utilizing safety restraint devices, prior to the vehicle being placed in motion.

At no time will the number of members riding the apparatus exceed the number of seats.

Drivers will only operate vehicles which they have been specifically trained and qualified on.

Responsibilities

1. The Driver
• The driver is responsible for the safe and prudent operation of the vehicle at all times and under any condition.
• The driver’s first priority shall be for the safe arrival of the emergency vehicle at the scene.
• During non-emergency response the driver shall obey all traffic control signals, traffic signs and posted speed limits.
• The driver shall be aware of his closure rate on other vehicles and pedestrians.
• The driver shall use spotters to negotiate forward turns with restrictive side clearances and also where height clearances are uncertain.

2. The Officer

· The officer is responsible for ensuring that the driver operates the vehicle in a safe manner.

· The officer shall act as a second set of eyes and ears and shall issue warnings to the driver pertaining to road and physical hazards

· The officer shall direct the driver to cease any unsafe driving such as excessive speed or other unsafe practices. The officer may elect to halt the vehicle and replace the driver.

· The officer is responsible to operate the radio and communications equipment during response.

· The officer shall check the data-track book to assist the driver in determining the safest and most direct route.

Non-Emergency Mode:

• All applicable traffic regulations shall be followed while operating the vehicle in non-emergency mode.
• The vehicle shall not be moved until it is confirmed that all occupants are seated and using their seat belts.
• Audible/Visual warning devices will not be used.
• Riding on the tailboard is not permitted.

Emergency-Mode:

· The vehicle shall not be moved until it is confirmed that all occupants are seated and using their seat belts.

• Safe arrival shall take priority over unnecessary speed enroute to an emergency scene.
• The driver shall obey all traffic control signals, traffic signs and posted speed limits, this includes stopping at stop signs or traffic light and proceeding only when it is safe.

• Traffic shall be passed on the left. If necessary, the apparatus will downgrade their response to code-1 and then pass on the right.
• Passing another responding emergency vehicle is not recommended, should it become necessary, permission must be obtained via the radio from the vehicle being passed.
• Emergency vehicles shall not pass a school bus displaying its “stop lights” until the driver of the bus signals the operator.
• Apparatus shall not be taken off the road unless instructed so.

At Incident scenes:

• The first arriving unit at an incident may advise additional units to proceed in a non-emergency mode.
• Whenever possible vehicles shall be strategically located to provide maximum protection to members on the fire ground,

Backing:

• Whenever an apparatus is backed, a minimum of 2 occupants shall dismount and act as spotters.
• The spotters will carry a radio to communicate with the driver, if necessary.
• If necessary the spotters will use flashlights for illumination, care must be used not to reflect the light into the driver’s mirror.
• Spotters shall be positioned at as many corners as possible with at least 1 spotter [primary spotter] at the left rear corner.
• Spotters are not permitted to ride the tailboard while backing the apparatus.
• The driver will discuss the backing plan with the spotters.
• The spotters shall be in position and communicate with the driver prior to the vehicle moving.
• The spotters shall remain visible to the operator, anytime that the driver loses sight of the primary spotter the apparatus shall be stopped until the spotter is visible and communication has been re-established.

Engine Brake:

• Engine brakes will be switched to the ‘low’ position while driving in wet road conditions.
• Engine brakes will be switched off while driving in snow or wintery road conditions.

Parades

• At ‘in town’ parades at least 1 engine will be fully manned and staged at a pre-determined location for the purpose of responding to incidents.
• If “parade apparatus” is needed to respond to a call the apparatus will exit the parade route with the assistance of spotters, collect the crew and respond.
• Apparatus participating in out of town parades shall obey all provisions set forth in the guideline.
• Apparatus will be considered “out of service” until returned to town.
• The apparatus shall be returned to town as soon as practical.
• General response guidelines will be observed whenever apparatus is out of town.

Accident Procedure

If an apparatus is involved in an accident they shall immediately:

· Terminate activity including responding to and incident and notify the dispatcher.

· Determine if any injuries occurred and take appropriate action.

· Notify the senior staff officer.

Date: 08-06

Proponent: RHFD Staff

Replaces: New

Revised/reviewed: 04-09