ADO-A Chapter 02

Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook

2nd Edition

Chapter 2 — Apparatus Safety

Learning Objective 1

Describe the five basic causes of fire apparatus collisions.

2–2

Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What percentage of all firefighter injuries and deaths in the U.S. are caused by vehicle collisions while responding to

or returning fromemergency calls?

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2007 Firefighter Fatality Causes

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• Are avoidable• Situational

awareness

Collisions

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Courtesy of Mike Mallory, Tulsa (OK) Fire Department

Collisions

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• Accounts for significant portion of overall damage costs

• Can occur in a variety of locations

Improper Backing

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• Failure to obey posted traffic regulations or directions

• Failure to yield to emergency vehicles

• Excessive speed• Panic reaction to an approaching

emergency vehicle• Inattentiveness

Reckless Driving — Common Problems

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• Lead to occurrence of one of two types of collisions– Control lost on curve or adverse road

surface– Unable to stop apparatus in time to

avoid collision with another vehicle or object

Excessive Speed

(Continued)

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• Fire apparatus– Do not handle same or stop as fast as

privately owned vehicles– Greater distance to stop– Lag before air brakes activate– Subject to brake fade

Excessive Speed

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• Overconfidence in one’s driving ability

• Inability to recognize a dangerous situation

• False sense of security

Lack of Driving Skills

(Continued)

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• Misunderstanding of apparatus capabilities

• Lack of knowledge about how to operate controls during emergency

• Excitement

Lack of Driving Skills

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• Not as serious with vehicles built by a fire apparatus manufacturer

• Significant problem with “homebuilt” vehicles constructed by members of the department

Poor Vehicle Design

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Discuss driver readiness and attitude.


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• Must be prepared to report to duty without any compromise of physical or mental ability

Driver Readiness

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• Substance abuse• Personal issues• Death in the family• Illness• Impending hardship• Depression due to any of the

above

Signs of Incompetence or Impairment

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• Collisions involving fire apparatus occur daily

• Driver/operator does not “own” the road during emergency driving

• Cannot be found liable, responsible, or at fault if he or she simply drives “right”

• Driving “right” is obeying the traffic laws

Before Shift Information

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Discuss apparatus rider safety.


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• Must always ensure safety of all personnel riding on apparatus

Apparatus Rider Safety

(Continued)

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Photo by Ted Boothroyd

• Riders must be seated within cab or body and wearing seat belts before apparatus is put into motion– Exception — Loading fire hose while

driving apparatus

Apparatus Rider Safety

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Loading Fire Hose

• Procedures must be contained in Department SOPs

• Must have a safety observer• Area must be closed to other traffic• Apparatus driven forward and slow

(Continued)

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• No standing on apparatus while in motion

• Members in hose bed must sit or kneel

Loading Fire Hose

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Loading Fire Hose

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• Can be problematic; does not include room for instructor in tiller enclosure

• NFPA® 1500 allows for detachable seat

• Instructor and tiller operator must be wearing helmet and eye protection if not inside enclosure

Tiller Training

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• Found on older apparatus• Not totally enclosed• May include safety bars and gates;

not substitutes for safety procedures

Jump Seats

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Describe requirements for safely backing a fire apparatus.


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• Account for one quarter of all collisions

• Account for approximately 500 civilian deaths and 1,500 injuries annually

Backing of Vehicles

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DISCUSSION QUESTION

What makes backing a fire apparatus so hazardous?

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• Do not position apparatus into a space where backing up will be necessary.

• Walk all the way around apparatus to clear obstructions and observe hazards before backing.

• Use one or more spotters whenever necessary.

General Safety Rules

(Continued)

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• Activate emergency lights during any backing procedure.

• Pre-position white backup lights to light area where spotter will stand (8 to 10 feet [2.5 m to 3 m] in back of apparatus).


(Continued)

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• Use common hand signals that all firefighters understand.


(Continued)

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Photo by Pat McAuliff


• Use portable radios when possible.• Use backup cameras if available.• Sound a short blast on air horn

immediately before moving apparatus.


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• Exist on some fire apparatus• Fixed on central location behind

apparatus• May provide driver/operator view

of area behind apparatus

Backup Cameras

(Continued)

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Backup Cameras

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• Effective way to communicate with driver/operator from rear of apparatus

• Spotters– Must be significant number– Positioned in vision of driver/operator– Responsible for guiding and directing

apparatus

• Six main signals

Hand Signals

(Continued)

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Backing Straight

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Backing to the Left

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Backing to the Right

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Slowing Down

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Stop

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Pull Forward

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Back apparatus using mirrors.

Objective 5 is measured in Skill Sheet 2-1.


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Summary

• Driver/operators must understand all the rules and regulations regarding vehicle safety in their jurisdictions.

• In addition, they should have an excellent understanding of their apparatus’ capabilities and systems. (Continued)

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• Driver/operators should arrive at work with a positive attitude with no physical or mental problems that could compromise their skills.

Summary

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Review Questions

1.What are some examples of gross negligence?2.What are the five general causes of fire apparatus collisions?3.How does poor vehicle design contribute to the likelihood of fire apparatus collisions? (Continued)

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Review Questions

4.What are some signs of driver/operator incompetence or impairment?5.What are the exceptions regarding the seated and belted requirements?

(Continued)

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Education

ADO-A Chapter 02