Frank Lafferty, Jr. Haddon Heights Fire Department, NJ A Partnership For Safety: Coordinating...
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Frank Lafferty, Jr. Haddon Heights Fire Department, NJ A Partnership For Safety: Coordinating Emergency Responses on Limited Access Highways I-295 / I-76
Frank Lafferty, Jr. Haddon Heights Fire Department, NJ A
Partnership For Safety: Coordinating Emergency Responses on Limited
Access Highways I-295 / I-76 / NJ 42 Incident Management Task Force
in New Jersey
Slide 2
Policy and Procedures Manual
Slide 3
What Was the Problem? Significant incidents on the highway
posed safety and communications issues The need for dual county
response Whos in charge? Timely transmission of critical
information Lack of Interoperability
Slide 4
A Breakdown in Communications Agencies that respond on the
highway operate on different frequencies Multiple fire departments
responding to the same incident could be on different frequencies
EMS operated on a separate frequency Inter-county communications
caused delays in dispatch
Slide 5
Depending On Where You Are
Slide 6
Or Worse Yet I-676 / I-76 Interchange
Slide 7
Purpose Statement Provide responders uniform operational
guideline for safe operations at the scene of an incident. This
document serves as a guideline for decision-making and can be
modified by the incident responders as necessary to address
existing conditions.
Slide 8
Goal Improving the overall traffic incident management process
will Improve the safety of responding agency personnel Reduce the
chance of an associated traffic accident Minimize the amount of
apparatus and number of personnel responding onto the highway
Slide 9
Unified Incident Management System The New Jersey State Police
have statutory authority over ALL incidents which occur on highways
covered by this document. The senior trooper is the incident
manager. In keeping with the Incident Management System The senior
fire department officer is designated as the fire branch. The fire
branch leader will utilize proper radio designation i.e. Route 42
Command
Slide 10
Unified Incident Management System Agencies responding to
incidents in the response area covered by this document will
utilize an Unified Incident Management System. The first arriving
emergency responder will establish command Identify the command
post location Don a reflective vest for identification All other
responding agencies will send a representative to the command
post.
Slide 11
Unified Incident Management System Agencies will cooperate and
work together for the safe and efficient mitigation of the
incident. All strategic decisions must be communicated to ALL other
participating agencies to ensure coordinated effort. New Jersey
State Police will have the final say should any disputes
arise.
Slide 12
Lane Identification For uniformity travel lanes will be
numbered in an ascending order from high speed lane to low speed
lane (left to right). Shoulder(s) will be designated as lane one
shoulder or lane three shoulder. The acceleration and deceleration
lanes will be designated as such.
Slide 13
Recommended Equipment Safety vests Appropriate traffic
management equipment Cones Flares Lighted arrow stick mounted high
for maximum visibility. DOT approved reflective stripping on the
rear and sides of vehicles. Basic first aid equipment.
Slide 14
Incident Response Minimum crew of four (4) fire fighters
recommended for apparatus responding to incidents on limited access
highways. Crew of three is the minimum for such a response. Only
official, marked vehicles are permitted on the highway. (No
personnel vehicles)
Slide 15
Incident Response Companies will be assigned responsibility for
a specific area of the highway, and will be directed to enter the
highway via a designated ramp. Absent extenuating circumstances, or
specific orders to the contrary, companies will utilize their
assigned entry ramp when responding to incidents on the
highway.
Slide 16
Incident Response ELIMINATE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDRIES HOME RULE
Slide 17
Incident Response Full size apparatus should utilize normal
entrances and exits to reverse their direction of travel. Use of
the median or paved U-turns should be reserved for life threatening
emergencies and extenuating circumstances. Units will communicate
via radio and announce when they are entering the highway
Slide 18
Arriving on Scene Apparatus will be positioned to best protect
the scene of the incident, personnel and the patient. Minimize
impact on traffic The apparatus driver will cancel any warning
lights or other lights which will impair the vision of drivers of
approaching vehicles. Head lights Spot lights
Slide 19
Traffic Control Generally traffic control is the responsibility
of the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Department of
Transportation. Closing of any travel lanes not affected by the
accident, including on and off ramps shall require the approval of
the New Jersey State Police and or the New Jersey Department of
Transportation.
Slide 20
Operating on Scene Special Note: If recalled by the New Jersey
State Police while enroute to any assignment on any highway ALL
companies shall go available and return. Preferably utilizing a
route of travel separate from the area of the incident.
Slide 21
Operating on Scene: Vehicle Fire & Motor Vehicle Accidents
Primary engine refers to the engine responding in the reported
direction of travel. Secondary engine is the engine responding
opposite the reported direction of travel.
Slide 22
Operating on Scene: Vehicle Fire & Motor Vehicle Accidents
The first engine company in each direction will enter the highway
and announce same via radio. A second full size apparatus may enter
the highway in the reported direction of travel. This apparatus
will stage on the shoulder prior to the incident scene and prepare
to act as a blocker if needed. Other apparatus is to stage off the
highway in the area of assigned entry ramp.
Slide 23
Operating on Scene: Vehicle Fire & Motor Vehicle Accidents
The secondary engine should avoid passing the fire until
verification that the primary engine is able to access the scene.
If necessary the secondary engine may park on the center median and
stretch their hose line(s) across the roadway to attack the fire.
If the primary engine is able to access the scene the secondary
engine will exit the highway.
Slide 24
Operating on Scene: Vehicle Fire & Motor Vehicle Accidents
Any resources not utilized or immediately needed will stage off the
highway until returned or assigned. Apparatus positioned in the
travel lanes should be moved to the shoulder as soon as
practical.
Slide 25
Policy and Procedures Manual
Slide 26
Contact Information Frank Lafferty, Jr Assistant Chief Haddon
Heights Fire Department, New Jersey (856) 546-7135
[email protected]