Evesham Fire-RescueEvesham Fire-Rescue

Engine Apparatus Operator TrainingEngine Apparatus Operator Training

Emergency Vehicle OperationsEmergency Vehicle Operations

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Module ObjectivesModule Objectives

• Given a lecture on Emergency Given a lecture on Emergency Vehicle Operations, the student will:Vehicle Operations, the student will:– Identify common cause of apparatus Identify common cause of apparatus

accidents and related statistics.accidents and related statistics.– Understand the importance of defensive Understand the importance of defensive

driving while enroute to emergencies.driving while enroute to emergencies.– Identify driving regulations associated Identify driving regulations associated

with driving emergency vehicles.with driving emergency vehicles.

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Apparatus DriverApparatus Driver

• Primary job is to maneuver and Primary job is to maneuver and safely control the apparatus.safely control the apparatus.

• You are responsible for the safety of You are responsible for the safety of your crew and the publicyour crew and the public

• If you don’t arrive safely, you can’t If you don’t arrive safely, you can’t help anyone.help anyone.

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Consider the impactsConsider 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 Tarnished image and negative public relations.relations.

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NFPA StatisticsNFPA Statistics

• 20% of all firefighter injuries and 20% of all firefighter injuries and deaths annually are from vehicle deaths annually are from vehicle accidents.accidents.

• Approximately 25 civilians die each Approximately 25 civilians die each year in apparatus collisions.year in apparatus collisions.

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Apparatus accidentsApparatus accidents

• Most occur in ideal weather and on Most occur in ideal weather and on dry roads.dry roads.

• Most apparatus accidents are Most apparatus accidents are preventable.preventable.

• Accidents can be grouped into five Accidents can be grouped into five categories.categories.

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Common causesCommon 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.

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Additional factorsAdditional factors

• Overconfidence in driving ability.Overconfidence in driving ability.

• Inability to recognize road hazard.Inability to recognize road hazard.

• Misunderstanding of apparatus Misunderstanding of apparatus capabilities.capabilities.

• Lack of training in emergency Lack of training in emergency maneuvers.maneuvers.

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Driving RegulationsDriving 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 Emergency vehicles are bound by same driving laws as regular same driving laws as regular vehicles. (Ex. - school bus laws)vehicles. (Ex. - school bus laws)

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Driver AttitudeDriver Attitude

• Drive in a calm and safe manner.Drive in a calm and safe manner.

• You can’t You can’t demanddemand the right of way, it the right of way, it must be yielded to you.must be yielded to you.

• Consider the public image of the Consider the public image of the department. department.

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Apparatus Rider SafetyApparatus Rider Safety

• Riders should be belted and seated.Riders should be belted and seated.

• Personnel should never ride outside Personnel should never ride outside the apparatus.the apparatus.

• Safety bars or gates on jumpseat Safety bars or gates on jumpseat areas are not a substitute for safety.areas are not a substitute for safety.

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Backing the vehicleBacking 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 All apparatus should have back-up alarms.alarms.

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Defensive DrivingDefensive Driving

• Intersections are the most likely Intersections are the most likely place for an accident to occur.place for an accident to occur.

• Come to a complete stop before Come to a complete stop before proceeding through red lights.proceeding through red lights.

• Driving in the on coming lane of Driving in the on coming lane of traffic is not recommended.traffic is not recommended.

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Defensive Driving TechniquesDefensive 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.

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Anticipate other driversAnticipate 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 Make sure others can see and hear you.you.

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Visual lead timeVisual lead time

• Scan far enough ahead to anticipate Scan far enough ahead to anticipate roadway hazards.roadway hazards.

• Visual lead time affects reaction time Visual lead time affects reaction time and breaking distance.and breaking distance.

• Aim high in the steering - get the big Aim high in the steering - get the big picture.picture.

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Braking and Reaction TimeBraking and Reaction Time

• Total stopping distance = Driver reaction Total stopping distance = Driver reaction time + vehicle braking distance.time + vehicle braking distance.

• Vehicle speed and weight directly affect Vehicle speed and weight directly affect braking distance.braking distance.

• Proper hand position for driving large Proper hand position for driving large apparatus is 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.apparatus is 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.

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Weight TransferWeight Transfer

• Physics laws - an object in motion Physics laws - an object in motion tends to remain in motion.tends to remain in motion.

• A change in direction or velocity will A change in direction or velocity will cause a weight transfer.cause a weight transfer.

• Reduce speed when approachingReduce speed when approaching

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Combating SkidsCombating Skids

• Most common causes of skidsMost common causes of skids– Driving too fast for road conditionsDriving too fast for road conditions– Failing to anticipate weight transferFailing to anticipate weight transfer– Failing to anticipate obstaclesFailing to anticipate obstacles– Improper use of auxiliary braking Improper use of auxiliary braking

devices devices – Improper care of tires and air pressureImproper care of tires and air pressure

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Passing other vehiclesPassing other vehicles

• Avoid passing vehicles that have not Avoid passing vehicles that have not yet yielded.yet yielded.

• Avoid passing on the right.Avoid passing on the right.

• Avoid driving in opposing traffic Avoid driving in opposing traffic lanes.lanes.

• Avoid passing other emergency Avoid passing other emergency vehiclesvehicles

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Adverse weatherAdverse weather

• Rain, snow, ice and mud make roads Rain, snow, ice and mud make roads slippery.slippery.

• It takes 3 to 15 times more distance It takes 3 to 15 times more distance to stop on slippery roads.to stop on slippery roads.

• Adjust speed based on road curves Adjust speed based on road curves and crowning.and crowning.

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Use of Warning DevicesUse of Warning Devices

• Motorists respond better to changes Motorists respond better to changes in pitch and tones.in pitch and tones.

• Above 50 mph, the apparatus will Above 50 mph, the apparatus will outrun the range of the sirens.outrun the range of the sirens.

• Be aware of other emergency Be aware of other emergency vehicles at intersections.vehicles at intersections.

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SummarySummary

• Apparatus driver are responsible to Apparatus driver are responsible to arrive safely every time.arrive safely every time.

• You don’t own the road, other drivers You don’t own the road, other drivers must first yield to you.must first yield to you.

• Know your equipment and S.O.P.sKnow your equipment and S.O.P.s