Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week: June 22-28, 2008 Committed to Long-Term Results.

Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Fire/EMS Safety, Health and Survival Week: June 22-28, 2008 Week: June 22-28, 2008

Committed to Committed to Long-Term Long-Term ResultsResults

PurposePurpose

Committed to Long-Term ResultsCommitted to Long-Term Results encourages long-term investments encourages long-term investments by chiefs and firefighters to by chiefs and firefighters to enhance their health and safety. enhance their health and safety. The ultimate goal is to institute a The ultimate goal is to institute a strong culture of health and safety strong culture of health and safety within the fire/EMS service. This within the fire/EMS service. This year’s theme reflects the need for year’s theme reflects the need for organizational action that supports organizational action that supports and encourages a safety culture.and encourages a safety culture.

Three Key Safety Three Key Safety AreasAreas

1)1) Emergency Vehicle Emergency Vehicle PolicyPolicy

Always Buckle Always Buckle UpUp

Backing PolicyBacking Policy Speed LimitsSpeed Limits

2)2) Wellness & FitnessWellness & Fitness PT PolicyPT Policy NutritionNutrition PhysicalsPhysicals Fit for dutyFit for duty

3)3) NFPA 1500NFPA 1500 Proper use of gearProper use of gear Inspection and Inspection and

CleaningCleaning Safety Gear Safety Gear

Inspection findingsInspection findings

FIREFIGHTERS SERIOUSLY HURT IN CRASH W

HILE RESPONDING TO EMERGENCY

NORTH CAROLINA FIRE TRUCK OVERTURNS EN ROUTE TO WRECK

FLORIDA FIREFIGHTER HIT BY CAR

THREE ILLINOIS FIREFIGHTERS INJURED... 1 STRUCK WHILE LAYING THE SUPPLY LINE...

TENNESSEE FIRE TRUCK OVERTURNS; FOUR FIREFIGHTERS INJURED

APPARATUS OVERTURNS WHILE RESPONDING... IN MARYLAND

EMT CRITICAL IN RESPONSE ACCIDENT - E

JECTED - NO SEAT BELT

2 KILLED AS CAR, FIRE ENGINE CRASH IN POMPANO BEACH, FL

FIRE TRUCK SLAMS INTO WHEELING HOME

OREGON: FF INJURED IN APPARATUSCRASH

Accident StatisticsAccident Statistics

68% of serious accidents occur during emergency response.68% of serious accidents occur during emergency response. 59% of those accidents are the emergency vehicle operators 59% of those accidents are the emergency vehicle operators

fault.fault. 12,000 collisions a year nationally involving emergency 12,000 collisions a year nationally involving emergency

vehicles.vehicles. 10,000 Injuries from these accidents10,000 Injuries from these accidents Over 100 fatalities a year (Over 100 fatalities a year (civilian & fire personnelcivilian & fire personnel)) As of the end of April 2008 there have been 5 firefighter fatalities As of the end of April 2008 there have been 5 firefighter fatalities

related to emergency vehicle operation.related to emergency vehicle operation.

PWCDFRPWCDFR Accident Accident StatisticsStatisticsYear # of Accidents involving

Emergency Apparatus# Deemed Emergency Vehicle Operators Fault

# During Emergency Response

2001 23 15 3

2002 32 24 14

2003 64 59 19

2004 50 45 20

2005 44 29 12

2006 51 45 6

2007 42 32 3

As of May 15th 2008

20 19 0

The Five Keys:The Five Keys:1.1. Aim high in steering.Aim high in steering.

Looking further ahead than other driversLooking further ahead than other drivers

2.2. Get the big picture.Get the big picture. Seeing more around you than other driversSeeing more around you than other drivers

3.3. Keep your eyes moving.Keep your eyes moving. Being more aware than other driversBeing more aware than other drivers

4.4. Leave yourself an out.Leave yourself an out. Positioning in traffic better than other driversPositioning in traffic better than other drivers

5.5. Make sure they see you.Make sure they see you. Making yourself more visible than other Making yourself more visible than other

drivers drivers

FIREFIGHTERS! DRIVE PATIENTLY!!! D on’t go faster than road conditions allow. R esponse Routes identified before leaving quarters. I nsist on everyone being belted, ALWAYS. V erify response priority with the officer. E nsure all compartments are closed and latched. P repare yourself physically and mentally. A llow yourself enough room to stop. T urn on the warning devices only when needed. I nspect your unit thoroughly, every shift. E xit the vehicle after checking for traffic. N ever demand or expect the right of way. T raining L ook around & under the unit before moving it. Y ou are the key to your crews’ safety.

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - Always Buckle UpAlways Buckle Up Reason to wear your Reason to wear your

seatbeltseatbelt Seat belts can save Seat belts can save

lives.lives. Seat belts can reduce Seat belts can reduce

your risk of serious your risk of serious injury.injury.

Thousands of people Thousands of people who die in car who die in car crashes each year crashes each year might still be alive if might still be alive if they had been they had been wearing their wearing their seatbelts.seatbelts.

It’s easy and only It’s easy and only takes a few seconds.takes a few seconds.

It’s the LAW!It’s the LAW!

Driving Procedure – Driving Procedure – Seatbelts Seatbelts Policy:Policy:

4.14.1 All persons driving or riding in fire and rescue All persons driving or riding in fire and rescue apparatus shall be seated in approved riding positions with apparatus shall be seated in approved riding positions with seatbelts or safety restraints fastened at all times when the seatbelts or safety restraints fastened at all times when the apparatus’s transmission is in gear. apparatus’s transmission is in gear.

4.1.2 Exception: A fire and rescue department member 4.1.2 Exception: A fire and rescue department member who is providing direct patient care inside an ambulance who is providing direct patient care inside an ambulance shall be permitted to momentarily release the seat belt shall be permitted to momentarily release the seat belt while the vehicle is in motion – while the vehicle is in motion – IF IT IS ESSENTIAL TO IF IT IS ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE PATIENT CAREPROVIDE PATIENT CARE. When the procedure has been . When the procedure has been completed, the fire department member shall refasten the completed, the fire department member shall refasten the seat belt. Time without the protection of a seat belt shall be seat belt. Time without the protection of a seat belt shall be minimized.minimized.

Driving Procedure – Driving Procedure – SeatbeltsSeatbelts 4.2 The driver shall not 4.2 The driver shall not

begin to move the begin to move the apparatus until all apparatus until all passengers are seated and passengers are seated and properly secured. All properly secured. All passengers shall remain passengers shall remain seated and secured as long seated and secured as long as the apparatus’s parking as the apparatus’s parking brake is not activated. brake is not activated. Seatbelts shall not be Seatbelts shall not be loosened or released while loosened or released while en route to dress or don en route to dress or don equipment. equipment.

4.34.3 Members shall not Members shall not attempt to mount or attempt to mount or dismount from a moving dismount from a moving apparatus under any apparatus under any circumstances. circumstances.

Driving Procedure – Driving Procedure – SeatbeltsSeatbelts Responsibilities:Responsibilities:5.1 5.1 Immediate SupervisorsImmediate Supervisors Ensure the safety of all apparatus operations and manage Ensure the safety of all apparatus operations and manage

compliance with this policy.compliance with this policy. Ensure members understand this policy and comply with the Ensure members understand this policy and comply with the

requirements herein.requirements herein. Ensure that seatbelts are used in accordance with this Ensure that seatbelts are used in accordance with this

policy.policy.

5.2 5.2 MembersMembers Understand this policy and comply with the requirements set Understand this policy and comply with the requirements set

forth herein.forth herein.

Use seat belts in accordance with thisUse seat belts in accordance with this policypolicy..

Driving Procedure – Driving Procedure – SeatbeltsSeatbeltsPenalties:Penalties: Any member who is seen not wearing their seatbelt while Any member who is seen not wearing their seatbelt while

riding in fire and rescue apparatus will be subject to riding in fire and rescue apparatus will be subject to disciplinary action. disciplinary action.

6.1.1 Department of Fire and Rescue members 6.1.1 Department of Fire and Rescue members witnessed not witnessed not wearing their seatbelt will receive a Group wearing their seatbelt will receive a Group One Offense- First One Offense- First Offense. Prince William County Offense. Prince William County Personnel Policy 14.2 A1 Personnel Policy 14.2 A1 “Neglect or carelessness “Neglect or carelessness in observation of departmental safety in observation of departmental safety rules or disregard rules or disregard of common safety practices”, The member of common safety practices”, The member will will receive a written reprimand. receive a written reprimand.

Department of Fire and Rescue members who are Department of Fire and Rescue members who are assigned as the Officer of the apparatus have the assigned as the Officer of the apparatus have the responsibility of ensuring the safety of all members responsibility of ensuring the safety of all members riding the apparatus.riding the apparatus.

Driving Procedure – Driving Procedure – SeatbeltsSeatbelts 6.1.2 The officer of any apparatus found to have personnel 6.1.2 The officer of any apparatus found to have personnel

not not properly secured with a seatbelt will receive a Group properly secured with a seatbelt will receive a Group One One Offense- First Offense. Prince William Personnel Offense- First Offense. Prince William Personnel Policy 14.2”. Policy 14.2”. A1 “Neglect or carelessness in observation A1 “Neglect or carelessness in observation of departmental of departmental safety rules or disregard of common safety rules or disregard of common safety practices”, A second safety practices”, A second offense will be a written offense will be a written notice and a 1-3 day suspension notice and a 1-3 day suspension without pay.without pay.

6.2 6.2 Fire and Rescue Association members will be Fire and Rescue Association members will be

disciplined by disciplined by their department according to their their department according to their established disciplinary established disciplinary regulations.regulations.

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking Policy:Policy:

– All vehicle operators shall avoid backing vehicles whenever All vehicle operators shall avoid backing vehicles whenever possible. When backing is unavoidable, spotters shall be used. possible. When backing is unavoidable, spotters shall be used. If a spotter is not available, the operator will ensure the If a spotter is not available, the operator will ensure the path is clear prior to backing and a 360 degree survey path is clear prior to backing and a 360 degree survey will be completed prior to backing the vehicle.will be completed prior to backing the vehicle.

The vehicle operator is ultimately responsible for the The vehicle operator is ultimately responsible for the operation of the vehicle while it is traveling forward as well operation of the vehicle while it is traveling forward as well as backing.as backing.

When backing in any manner which will obstruct traffic, the When backing in any manner which will obstruct traffic, the vehicle operator shall use all warning lights.vehicle operator shall use all warning lights.

All backing incidents that cause vehicle damage, property All backing incidents that cause vehicle damage, property damage, or injury will be investigated by the DFR Health damage, or injury will be investigated by the DFR Health and Safety Office or Volunteer Department designee, and a and Safety Office or Volunteer Department designee, and a PWC Incident Report Form (SIG-011) or Volunteer PWC Incident Report Form (SIG-011) or Volunteer Department specific collision form will be completed. Department specific collision form will be completed. Pictures of the accident and a Police report will be required Pictures of the accident and a Police report will be required when property damage or injury has occurred.when property damage or injury has occurred.– The PWC Collision Review Committee will review the The PWC Collision Review Committee will review the

incident to determine if the incident is Preventable or incident to determine if the incident is Preventable or Non-preventable for career members only. Appropriate Non-preventable for career members only. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the disciplinary action will be taken based on the circumstances, frequency, and severity of the incident circumstances, frequency, and severity of the incident in accordance with the Collision Review Committee in accordance with the Collision Review Committee Charter (Risk Management Manual, Section 702).Charter (Risk Management Manual, Section 702).

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking Procedure:Procedure:

– The following steps are to be completed prior to and during vehicle The following steps are to be completed prior to and during vehicle backing.backing.

Ground guides will discuss the backing plan with the driver Ground guides will discuss the backing plan with the driver before proceeding. The communication/warning process will before proceeding. The communication/warning process will be agreed upon prior to backing the vehicle.be agreed upon prior to backing the vehicle.

All members on the unit will assist with backing the apparatus. All members on the unit will assist with backing the apparatus. If a third guide is available they would position in the front of If a third guide is available they would position in the front of the apparatus to monitor any blind spots.the apparatus to monitor any blind spots.

The driver will lower their window and remove their headset to The driver will lower their window and remove their headset to allow for verbal direction from the ground guide if needed to allow for verbal direction from the ground guide if needed to prevent an accident.prevent an accident.

Ground guides as well as other personnel shall not be Ground guides as well as other personnel shall not be permitted to ride tailboard positions while the vehicle is permitted to ride tailboard positions while the vehicle is backing.backing.

The standard signals shall also be used to guide a vehicle The standard signals shall also be used to guide a vehicle forward. The primary guide will be at the front of the vehicle.forward. The primary guide will be at the front of the vehicle.

Drivers are reminded that if a guide leaves your field of view, Drivers are reminded that if a guide leaves your field of view, stopstop the vehicle and do not proceed until you have visually the vehicle and do not proceed until you have visually checked the guide’s position and it is safe to continue backing.checked the guide’s position and it is safe to continue backing.

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking Procedure Continued:Procedure Continued:

Guides are reminded that if the driver leaves your field Guides are reminded that if the driver leaves your field of view, reposition yourself in order to view the driver on of view, reposition yourself in order to view the driver on the driver’s side of the vehicle. The primary guide shall the driver’s side of the vehicle. The primary guide shall stand to the rear of the tailboard so that full view of the stand to the rear of the tailboard so that full view of the rear of the vehicle is maintained.rear of the vehicle is maintained.

When backing the vehicle out of driveways or in an L-When backing the vehicle out of driveways or in an L-maneuver, special attention shall be taken to prevent maneuver, special attention shall be taken to prevent the front of the vehicle from striking objects that are the front of the vehicle from striking objects that are located in the front blind spot. A guide shall be located located in the front blind spot. A guide shall be located at the front of the vehicle to guide the driver and at the front of the vehicle to guide the driver and prevent such vehicle crashes from occurring.prevent such vehicle crashes from occurring.

When backing into the station, all vehicles will stop and When backing into the station, all vehicles will stop and activate the parking brake prior to completely entering activate the parking brake prior to completely entering the station. This will allow the Plymovent system or the station. This will allow the Plymovent system or other exhaust removal system to be hooked up while other exhaust removal system to be hooked up while the vehicle is stationary. At no time will the Plymovent the vehicle is stationary. At no time will the Plymovent or other exhaust removal system be hooked up while or other exhaust removal system be hooked up while the vehicle is in motion.the vehicle is in motion.

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking

– Night BackingNight Backing

Signals will remain the same. The guide(s) will Signals will remain the same. The guide(s) will assure the spotlights on the rear of the vehicle are assure the spotlights on the rear of the vehicle are turned on before allowing the vehicle to be backed.turned on before allowing the vehicle to be backed.

Guides may use flashlights, but at no time will they Guides may use flashlights, but at no time will they be directed towards the vehicle mirrors. This can be directed towards the vehicle mirrors. This can lead to temporary blinding of the driver and a lead to temporary blinding of the driver and a possible vehicle crash.possible vehicle crash.

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking

– Hand SignalsHand Signals

To prevent vehicle crashes and injuries, a standard To prevent vehicle crashes and injuries, a standard set of hand signals shall be used. The following set of hand signals shall be used. The following signals shall be used by the primary guide while signals shall be used by the primary guide while devoting strict attention to the movement of the devoting strict attention to the movement of the vehicle. The primary guide will be stationed on the vehicle. The primary guide will be stationed on the driver’s side rear of the vehicle. The secondary driver’s side rear of the vehicle. The secondary guide will be stationed on the passenger side rear guide will be stationed on the passenger side rear of the vehicle if available. The officer will be of the vehicle if available. The officer will be positioned at the front of the vehicle watching blind positioned at the front of the vehicle watching blind spots, if not already being used as the primary spots, if not already being used as the primary guide on units staffed with two people.guide on units staffed with two people.

SPOTTERS SPOTTERS RESPONSIBILITIESRESPONSIBILITIES

DIRECT THE DRIVER WHILE BACKING UP VEHICLEDIRECT THE DRIVER WHILE BACKING UP VEHICLE AWARE OF SURROUNDINGSAWARE OF SURROUNDINGS ALWAYS LOOKING AND LISTENINGALWAYS LOOKING AND LISTENING STOP ONCOMING HAZARDS OR VEHICLE BACKING UPSTOP ONCOMING HAZARDS OR VEHICLE BACKING UP BE AWARE OF OBJECTS AND DIRECT DRIVER AROUND BE AWARE OF OBJECTS AND DIRECT DRIVER AROUND

THEMTHEM LOOK FOR GROUND LEVEL OBSTRUCTIONS AND ABOVELOOK FOR GROUND LEVEL OBSTRUCTIONS AND ABOVE VISUAL CONTACT WITH DRIVERVISUAL CONTACT WITH DRIVER STAY IN LINE OF SIGHT WITH MIRRORSSTAY IN LINE OF SIGHT WITH MIRRORS AT NIGHT STAY IN SPOT LIGHT OR USE A FLASH LIGHT AT NIGHT STAY IN SPOT LIGHT OR USE A FLASH LIGHT

(NEVER SHINE FLASH LIGHT IN MIRRORS)(NEVER SHINE FLASH LIGHT IN MIRRORS) VOICE COMMUNICATIONSVOICE COMMUNICATIONS MORE THAN ONE SPOTTER MAY BE NESSARYMORE THAN ONE SPOTTER MAY BE NESSARY

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking

In order to bring the vehicle straight back:In order to bring the vehicle straight back:– The primary guide shall be visible to the driver at all timesThe primary guide shall be visible to the driver at all times– The primary guide stands facing the rear of the vehicle.The primary guide stands facing the rear of the vehicle.– The primary guide shall hold his/her arms at a ninety-degree The primary guide shall hold his/her arms at a ninety-degree

angle to the body, palms up, and bend the elbows angle to the body, palms up, and bend the elbows simultaneously bringing the hands up towards the ears.simultaneously bringing the hands up towards the ears.

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking

In order to guide the vehicle left or right:In order to guide the vehicle left or right:– The primary guide shall be visible to the driver through the The primary guide shall be visible to the driver through the

driver’s mirror at all times.driver’s mirror at all times.– The primary guide stands facing the rear of the vehicle.The primary guide stands facing the rear of the vehicle.– The primary guide will motion the arm straight out from the The primary guide will motion the arm straight out from the

body at shoulder level, palms forward and bending the arm body at shoulder level, palms forward and bending the arm at the elbow so that the hand is brought toward the ear.at the elbow so that the hand is brought toward the ear.

Emergency Vehicle Policy -Emergency Vehicle Policy - BackingBacking

In order to stop the vehicle:In order to stop the vehicle:– The primary guide shall be visible to the driver through The primary guide shall be visible to the driver through

the driver’s mirror at all times.the driver’s mirror at all times.– The primary guide stands facing the rear of the vehicle.The primary guide stands facing the rear of the vehicle.– The primary guide will bring his or her arms up in front The primary guide will bring his or her arms up in front

of the body, elbows bent, and fist clinched in an (X).of the body, elbows bent, and fist clinched in an (X).– If necessary, the member can verbalize “STOP” to get If necessary, the member can verbalize “STOP” to get

the driver’s attention.the driver’s attention.

DRIVERS DRIVERS RESPONSIBILTIESRESPONSIBILTIES THE DRIVER IS IN CONTROL OF THE DRIVER IS IN CONTROL OF

THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE THE VEHICLE AND THEREFORE RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS MOVEMENTRESPONSIBLE FOR ITS MOVEMENT

HE OR SHE SHOULD NOT MOVE HE OR SHE SHOULD NOT MOVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SPOTTERS THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SPOTTERS ARE IN PLACE ARE IN PLACE

IF THE DRIVER LOSES SIGHT OF IF THE DRIVER LOSES SIGHT OF ONE OF THE SPOTTERS, HE/SHE ONE OF THE SPOTTERS, HE/SHE SHALL STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL SHALL STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL THEY ARE BACK IN HIS/HER SIGHTTHEY ARE BACK IN HIS/HER SIGHT

IF AT ANY TIME THE DRIVER FEELS IF AT ANY TIME THE DRIVER FEELS THAT THE SITUATION IS NOT SAFE, THAT THE SITUATION IS NOT SAFE, HE/SHE SHOULD STOP THE HE/SHE SHOULD STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE SITUATION VEHICLE UNTIL THE SITUATION HAS BEEN CORRECTEDHAS BEEN CORRECTED

THIS MAY MEAN GETTINGOUT AND THIS MAY MEAN GETTINGOUT AND PHYSICALLY WALKING AROUND PHYSICALLY WALKING AROUND THE VEHICLE AND DOWN THE THE VEHICLE AND DOWN THE ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE IS ROAD WHERE THE VEHICLE IS HEADED HEADED

What’s wrong with this What’s wrong with this picture?picture?

Picture #1Picture #1

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