1 Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter Who Was Responding to Alarm - Ohio Death in the line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire.

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Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter Who Was

Responding to Alarm - Ohio

Death in theline of duty…

A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation May 18, 2000

Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program

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Junior Fire Fighter Killed While Responding to Fire Alarm in

His POV - Pennsylvania


A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation June 29, 2001


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Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter - Ohio


A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation June 10, 2002


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Defensive Driving to Die ForPrivately Owned Vehicle

Response Related Deaths

Defensive Driving to Die ForPrivately Owned Vehicle

Response Related Deaths

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Report Findings Related to POV Response Related Deaths

Report Findings Related to POV Response Related Deaths

“Only knowledge of the problem and positive steps

taken in advance of the response can stem this

alarming tide of firefighter fatalities”

Fire Chief StaffOnline Exclusive October 9, 2003

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Motor Vehicle CollisionsMotor Vehicle Collisions

• Since 1984, MVC accounted for 20-25% of FF deaths– 27% fatalities were ejections– 21% fatalities were wearing

seatbelts

U.S. Fire AdministrationFire Data

FF Fatality Retrospective Study 1990-2000

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Firefighters as VictimsFirefighters as Victims

0

2

4

6

Asphyx Burns Drowning MVR Non-MVR

VolunteerCareer

NIOSH – FF Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Annual Report 2001

# of FF

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2004 Statistics 2004 Statistics

107 FF died in the Line-of-Duty 7 FF deaths involved POV

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“We Don’t Think It WillHappen to Us”

“We Don’t Think It WillHappen to Us”

• Responding to an incident in POV: hit and killed motorist in another vehicle

• Delhi Township, Holt, MI - Lt. brought to trial and received 1 year in jail, responsible restitution for funeral fees to family and received 5 years probation

Firehouse January 1997

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Response in

Privately Owned Vehicles

Response in

Privately Owned Vehicles

• Speed limits• Going through traffic control

devices• Passing in an unsafe manner• Use of lights and sirens

lcfireservice.org

POV ARE NOT EMERGENCY

VEHICLES

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“Safer Response in POV”“Safer Response in POV”

• Carelessness or poor judgment can reflect poorly on the fire department

• Response to structural fires in a call/volunteer fire department community

• Strategic plan for response procedures

• Many questions need to be asked to develop criteria

Fire Chief October 1995

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Legal IssuesLegal Issues

• Personal insurance

• Local government insurance

• “Big L” - Liability – Criminal and Civil

VFIS News September 1994 and FDSOA Health and Safety April 1995

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True EmergencyTrue Emergency

“A situation in which there is a high probability of death or serious injury to

an individual or significant property loss, and action by an emergency vehicle operator may reduce the

seriousness of the situation.”

Department of Transportation

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Answer the following…Answer the following…

• How would you drive to the following:– Structure fire?– Structure fire with persons trapped?– Person choking?– Child choking?– Child in a swimming pool?– Dog through the ice?

Drive according to road

conditions, not incident

conditions!

Drive according to road

conditions, not incident

conditions!

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Windshield PhotosWindshield Photos

Adopted by the IAFC’s board of directors on Aug. 14 and unveiled at

Fire-Rescue International in Dallas in August 2003, the alcohol use policy

bans alcohol drinking "by any members of any fire or emergency

services agency/ organization at any time when they may be called upon

to act or respond as a member of those departments."

Basically, if someone has consumed alcohol within the previous eight (8) hours, or is still noticeably impaired

by alcohol consumed previous to the eight (8) hours, they must voluntarily

remove themselves from the activities and functions of the fire or

emergency services agency/organization, including all

emergency operations and training.

No member of a fire & emergency services agency/organization shall

participate in any aspect of the organization and operation of the fire

or emergency agency/organization under the influence of alcohol,

including but not limited to any fire and emergency operations, fire-

police, training, etc

All fire & emergency service agencies/organizations should develop written policies and have procedures in place to support and enforce this policy

recommendation. Included in such a policy should be provisions for blood

alcohol testing of any individuals involved with any accident that causes

measurable damage to apparatus or property or injury/death of

agency/organization personnel or civilians.

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US Department of JusticePublic Safety Officers

Death Benefit Statute

US Department of JusticePublic Safety Officers

Death Benefit Statute

No benefits shall be paid if the public safety officer

was voluntarily intoxicated at the time of his death or

catastrophic injury

Intoxication means a disturbance of mental or physical faculties resulting from the introduction of alcohol into the body as evidenced by:

– A post-mortem blood alcohol level of .20 per centum or greater; or

– A post-mortem blood alcohol level or at least .10 per centum but less than .20 unless the bureau receives convincing evidence that the public safety officer was not acting in an intoxicated manner immediately prior to his death

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NFPA 1710 and 1720NFPA 1710 and 1720

• Upon assembling of resources, safe initial operations shall commence within two minutes

• Initial attack shall be organized with at least four members assembled before starting interior operations

• Two FF shall work as a team• Two In-Two Out

“Nothing regarding speed or time toward getting on scene”

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NFPA 1710 and 1720NFPA 1710 and 1720

• Health and Safety is paramount

• Imminent life safety/NFPA 1500

• Support activities to operations– i.e. Rehab, Air Supply, Water Shuttle,

EMS, etc.

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ConcernsConcerns

• Safety

• Liability

• Public Opinion

• Civil and Criminal Action


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RemediesRemedies

• Understand and review Policies and Procedures

• Attend driver training seminars

• Encourage the review of prior accidents and establish policy review and update

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AccountabilityAccountability

For the person responding in their

privately owned vehicle

For once you are on scene

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“Tactical Sequence” “Tactical Sequence”

• Receipt of alarm• Responding directly to scene in POV• Mental checklist• Approaching the scene• Size up including potential situation and

environmental hazards• Staging area for POV • Properly dressed in PPE and equipped


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Ensure A Safer ResponseEnsure A Safer Response

• Drive with due care• Slower means safer• Listen and watch at

RR crossings• Awareness of others• Open window • Park safely

• Park wisely• Wear seatbelts• Never operate vehicle

while fatigued • Never operate vehicle

while intoxicated or on medication

• Stop at all intersections

Firehouse June 1998

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EVR Guidelines vs. POV Guidelines

EVR Guidelines vs. POV Guidelines

• Circle of Safety• Warning Devices

and True Emergencies

• Vehicle Control and Right-of-Way

• Response Speeds• Intersection

Practices

• Non-emergency Response

• Ordinary Travel Procedures

• Riding Policy• Backing• Response in Private

Owned Vehicles

lcfireservice.org

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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy

“Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures regarding the

safe operation of all vehicles responding to a

fire alarm.”NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty

June 10, 2002

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“Develop standard operating procedures as they relate to responding to or returning from an alarm and monitor their use in POV”NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty

June 10, 2002

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“Provide defensive driver training to all emergency vehicle operators through

insurance carriers from local community”

NIOSH Death in the Line of DutyJune 10, 2002

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“Ensure that all drivers are

trained and certified in emergency

vehicle operations.”

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“Ensure that firefighters observe standard operating procedures

and state motor-vehicle codes for safely driving and operating a privately owned vehicle while responding to a fire alarm.”

NIOSH Death in the Line of DutyJune 10, 2002

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“To encourage, promote and support an emergency

vehicle operations certification with recognized

safety standards and thorough training and

education”NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty

June 10, 2002

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“Established written policies and properly trained personnel are

important in enabling members to respond promptly when called, yet

do so safely and legally.”

Fire Chief – November 1997

SOP’s

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Basic RequirementsBasic Requirements

• Time on the department (12 months)

• Complete a certification course in EVO

• Familiar with Policies, Procedures and Fireground Tactics

• Successfully complete a practical training evolution on a driving course


These are points for becoming Motor Pump Operators that could be used while driving your POV.

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ConsequencesConsequences

• Driver Training Program

• Certification for all drivers - AHJ

• Preemption system at all intersections

• Drug and Alcohol Education Program

• Critical Incident Stress ManagementEmergencyvehicleresponse.com

August 8, 2003

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Chapter 89 MGLChapter 89 MGL

• 89:7 - Right of way of fire engines, patrol vehicles and ambulances; penalty

• 89:7A - Restrictions on use of ways upon approach of emergency vehicles

• 89:7B - Operation of emergency vehicles

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Chapter 90 MGLChapter 90 MGL

• 90:7E - Display of red or blue lights on vehicles; permits; revocation; violations

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“Just because it looks and sounds like a duck, does not make it a duck”“Just because it looks and sounds

like a duck, does not make it a duck”

• Driving with due regard • Lights and sirens are covered in

what section of your state laws? • Permission from fire chief or AHJ

Fire Chief - November 1997

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Quality and EnforcementQuality and Enforcement

• Department Safety Officer responsibility• Quality Assurance System • Random Assessment of Compliance• All incidents (accidents) reported • Investigation follow through• Reports• Disciplinary actions• Alterations to policies and procedures


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Drive as if your life

depends on it

IT DOES!

Drive as if your life

depends on it

IT DOES!

1 Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter Who Was Responding to Alarm - Ohio Death in the line of duty… A summary of a NIOSH fire.

Documents

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