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Apparatus Parking on Freeways

Apparatus Parking on Freeways. Capt. Dean L. Sylvies SBFD Jan. 2005. 1998 - Five firefighters were killed when they were struck by other motor vehicles. Two were fire police officers directing traffic One was a firefighter crossing a road at a drill

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Apparatus Parking on Freeways

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  1. Apparatus Parking on Freeways Capt. Dean L. Sylvies SBFD Jan. 2005

  2. 1998 - Five firefighters were killed when they were struck by other motor vehicles. Two were fire police officers directing traffic One was a firefighter crossing a road at a drill One firefighter was struck while he worked in the road median One firefighter was killed in a chain reaction crash as he worked in the back of an ambulance at an EMS call. Reasons for this change

  3. 1999 - Four firefighters were killed when they were struck by other motor vehicles Two firefighters acting as fire police officers were killed when they were struck by passing vehicles 1 firefighter was struck by a passing vehicle as he filled a fire department tanker 1 firefighter was struck by a car that skidded out of control as he worked on the scene of an earlier collision Reasons for this change

  4. 2000 - Five firefighters were killed when they were struck by other motor vehicles 4 firefighters who were struck as they worked at the scene of vehicle collisions 1 firefighter was struck by a non fire department vehicle as he handled a supply line. Reasons for this change

  5. 2001 - Three firefighters were killed when they were struck by other motor vehicles 3 were struck and killed by vehicles as they directed traffic Reasons for this change

  6. 2002 - Five firefighters were killed when they were struck by other motor vehicles Four firefighters were struck by vehicles at emergency scenes. 1 firefighter was killed as he helped to load hose after a training exercise and was struck by a vehicle that ignored traffic control devices Reasons for this change

  7. 22 firefighter traffic related deaths in a 5 year span The roads are not getting any safer People are not getting any safer (or smarter) There are more distractions now Cell phones Video screens Sound proofing Tinted windows 5,000 watt stereo systems Reasons for this change

  8. We need to look out for each other We need to create a safe zone for firefighters and other emergency workers to operate in We need to learn how to more safely operate in this hazardous environment Reasons for this change

  9. Terminology • Block – Positioning a fire apparatus on an angle to the lanes of traffic creating a physical barrier between upstream traffic and the work area • Downstream – The direction that traffic is moving as it travels away from the incident scene • Shadow – The protected work area that is created by the blocking apparatus

  10. Terminology • Buffer zone – The distance or space between personnel in the “shadow” and moving traffic • Taper – The action of merging several lanes of traffic into fewer moving lanes • Upstream – The direction that traffic is traveling from as the vehicles approach the scene

  11. Dispatch 2 engines to any automobile fire or traffic accident on the freeway Gives capability of covering north and south bound lanes Provides additional water source Allows 1st engine to pull beyond scene and have 2nd engine block 1st or 2nd engine will “Block” with their engine to create a safe working environment Policy

  12. Apparatus will “Block” the incident so as to protect the pump panel Apparatus will “Block” so as to take the lane or shoulder where the accident is and one additional adjacent lane Crews will work in the “Shadow” of this blocking apparatus Procedure

  13. Cones or flares will be laid out to adequately warn “Upstream” traffic. Cones should be set 15’ apart to 75’ upstream Blocking apparatus will use all emergency warning lighting including 4 way flashers Consideration may be given to turning off headlights if they are blinding on-coming traffic Procedure

  14. Never trust approaching traffic Avoid turning your back on traffic Always wear turn outs including helmet This will create the greatest visibility Always try to work within “Shadow” Safety

  15. Personnel arriving in crew cabs should exit and enter the apparatus from the protected “Shadow” side Always look before opening doors and stepping out of apparatus into traffic Place flares adjacent to cones to enhance visibility of cones and operational area Safety

  16. We have 2 different pre-connect deployments Crossbeds Rear deploy Operations

  17. Keep this in mind when sizing up and setting up Crossbeds Rear deploy Operations

  18. We will look at 8 examples of how to block using our apparatus. Remember, when committing crews to extrication, a minimum 1 ¾” line will be pulled regardless if fire is present or not. Operations

  19. Center divider #1 #2 #3 Traffic flow Right shoulder Example 1: Accident or car fire in the #1 (fast lane) Apparatus with crossbed preconnect blocks right Engineer and panel are downstream from traffic and protected

  20. Center divider #1 Traffic flow #2 #3 Right shoulder Example 2: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane) Apparatus with crossbed preconnect blocks right

  21. Center divider #1 #2 #3 Traffic flow Right shoulder Example 3: Accident or car fire in the #1 (fast lane) Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect blocks right

  22. Center divider #1 Traffic flow #2 #3 Right shoulder Example 4: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane) (option 1) Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect blocks right Use extreme caution when pulling hose as crew will be pulling hose off in direction of traffic

  23. Center divider #1 Traffic flow #2 #3 Right shoulder Example 4: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane) (option 2) Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect blocks right, but this time takes the incident lane and the shoulder. If the shoulder is wide enough, this can be a viable option. It keeps more of the freeway open while still providing, in effect, a 2 lane shadow

  24. In the event that blocking with the first in apparatus is not practical due to topography, wind direction, etc: Pull beyond the incident Stabilize scene Have 2nd engine continue in and block farther back at a safer distance Options

  25. Center divider #1 Traffic flow #2 #3 Right shoulder Example 5: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane) Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect pulls beyond incident Second in engine responds and blocks Right. This allows 2nd engine to supply water if needed and protect engineer. (diagram not to scale)

  26. Center divider #1 #2 #3 Traffic flow Right shoulder Example 6: Accident or car fire in the #1 (fast lane) Apparatus with crossbed preconnect pulls beyond incident Second in engine responds and blocks right

  27. Center divider #1 #2 Traffic flow Right shoulder Example 7: Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 1) Apparatus will block and park so as to keep a portion of the #1 lane open to allow traffic to pass. Apparatus may take a portion of the additional lane and use center divider (right or left) to allow traffic to pass scene. When possible, use the shoulder for hose positioning and deployment. This gets crews farther away from traffic flow. However, care must be taken not to shoot water and/or fire debris into moving traffic lanes.

  28. Center divider #1 #2 Traffic flow Right shoulder Example 7: Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 2) Same type of blocking done by the apparatus in option 1, but crews are working on the traffic side of the incident. The safety shadow is not as big in this instance. Crew members must exercise extreme caution when operating in this area!

  29. Center divider Traffic flow #1 #2 Right shoulder Example 8 : Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 1) Apparatus will block and park so as to keep a portion of the #1 lane open to allow traffic to pass. Apparatus may take a portion of the additional lane and use center divider (right or left) to allow traffic to pass scene. When possible, use the shoulder for hose positioning and deployment. This gets crews farther away from traffic flow. However, care must be taken not to shoot water and/or fire debris into moving traffic lanes.

  30. Center divider Traffic flow #1 #2 Right shoulder Example 8: Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 2) Same type of blocking done by the apparatus in option 1, but crews are working on the traffic side of the incident. The safety shadow is not as big in this instance. Crew members must exercise extreme caution when operating in this area!

  31. Care must be exercised to prevent obstructing any more of the highway than is necessary to protect the incident scene. Once active firefighting or extrication operations are concluded and it is SAFE TO DO SO, reposition apparatus to free up adjacent lanes. It is important to work with CHP and Caltrans personnel to keep traffic flowing. Working with other agencies

  32. Establish a liason with CHP as soon as possible to jointly coordinate a safe work zone and to determine how to most efficiently resolve the incident. Caltrans can provide much needed resources on an extended incident. Coordinate through CHP for Caltrans assistance Working with other agencies

  33. A Santa Barbara City Fire Department Training Program

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