2. Contra Costa County CERT Program Special Event Traffic Control Released: 22 January 2010 Continuing Education Series

3. Visual BTC.1 Special Event Traffic Control Presented by Officer Jeffrey Fields Moraga Police Department

4. Visual BTC.2 Community Emergency Response Team  Personal safety is ALWAYS the number one priority  Work as a team  Wear specialized personal protective equipment: vest, gloves, hat and whistle

5. Visual BTC.3 Community Emergency Response Team  Upon completion of this class and successful demonstration of exercise skills, you will be qualified as a CERT Basic Traffic Controller to assist law enforcement officers in directing traffic during community special events.  To remain qualified as a CERT Basic Traffic Controller you must renew this training annually.

6. Visual BTC.4 Unit Objectives  Safety First, Second and Always…  Perspectives  Hands, Tools and Gear  Personal Protective Equipment  Conduct Field Exercise

7. Visual BTC.5 Perspectives “There is nothing that shows the skill, finesse, and understanding of human nature like standing in the middle of the road conducting lanes of traffic like a symphony orchestra.” Dr. Joel F. Shults, Chief Adams State College Police Department

8. Visual BTC.6 Perspectives According to the Federal Highway Administration, three worker fatalities occur nationally in cone zones every five days. Safety First, Second and Always… Be constantly aware of ALL the traffic around you !!!

9. Visual BTC.7 Traffic Management and Control

10. Visual BTC.8 Traffic Management and Control  A CERT member with additional training may be called upon to assist local law enforcement with traffic control during special events  Staying alert to your surroundings is the key to staying alive…

11. Visual BTC.9 Hands, Tools and Gear  In a traffic control situation, you may use:  Stop / Slow signs  hand signals  whistles  voice commands  flashlights, flares  cones or barricades

12. Visual BTC.10 Traffic Controller Position  Never place yourself in the path of a moving vehicle.  Always remain standing and never turn your back on traffic.  Stand alone in a highly visible location. Do not mingle with the event crew, the traveling public, or other people.  Plan an escape route.  Do not leave your position for any reason until relieved.

13. Visual BTC.11 Traffic Controller Do’s Do Stay alert at all times. Don’t be distracted by the event. Do Use clear and deliberate hand signals when directing traffic. Do Be friendly and polite with the public, but do not engage in small talk. Do Have a good idea of the day's events schedule to answer motorists' questions. Do Treat motorists courteously. Never argue with the occupants of a vehicle. Do Use proper equipment and warning signs. Do Be prepared for changing weather by bringing a raincoat, sweater, or warm coat.

14. Visual BTC.12 Preferred Traffic Controller Position

15. Visual BTC.13 Two Traffic Controllers Operation When two traffic controllers are required, you must coordinate communication procedures prior to the start of operations. The two controllers must be on each end of the traffic diversion zone and you must be able to see each other, or have two-way radios for proper communication. One controller should be the lead controller and coordinate all activities.

16. Visual BTC.14 Hand Signals Art of the hand signal  Make eye contact with the driver  Give only one direction at a time

17. Visual BTC.15 Hand Signals SignalGeneral Considerations STOP Point - arm and fingers extended - look straight at driver Hold until driver sees signal Raise pointing hand so palm is toward driver Hold this position until driver stops Stopping traffic from two directions Stop traffic coming from one direction first Hold hand in stop position, turn to the other side - repeat Don’t lower either arm until cars are halted

18. Visual BTC.16 Hand Signals START KEEP MOVING Place yourself so one side is towards traffic to be started Look at the driver and point with arm and finger toward first car to be started Hold position until you get driver’s attention With palm up, swing hand up and over chin, bending arm at elbow After traffic has started from one side, drop that arm and start traffic from other side in the same manner Continue to use the same signals for the slow and timid Talk the drivers through it !

19. Visual BTC.17 Hand Signals RIGHT TURN If car approaches from right, point toward driver with right arm If car approaches from left, point with left arm Give driver time to see your gesture, then swing arm to point in direction the vehicle is to proceed Keep pointing in that direction until driver turns

20. Visual BTC.18 Hand Signals LEFT TURN Halt traffic in the lanes through which car is to cross   If car approaches from the left: Give stop signal with right arm to stop traffic in lane through which car is to cross Hold stop signal with right arm and give turning gesture with left arm  If car approaches from the right: Turn around to face in direction the car is to go Halt traffic with right arm and give turning gesture with left arm

21. Visual BTC.19 Whistle Who keeps a whistle in their CERT gear? Who needs a whistle for today’s exercise?

22. Visual BTC.20 Whistle  Whistle use defined:  One long blast with “stop” hand signal  Two short blasts with the “start” hand signal  Several short blasts to get the “attention” of a driver  A short, intermittent blast to “keep the traffic moving”

23. Visual BTC.21 Voice Commands  Voice is seldom heard in traffic  Hand gestures and the whistle are most efficient  Shouted orders may antagonize a driver  When a driver or pedestrian does not understand, you should move closer to the person, and politely explain the command

24. Visual BTC.22 Flashlights  A flashlight can be used to direct traffic at night

25. Visual BTC.23 Flashlights  Flashlights with colored extensions work for evening, foggy or rainy weather

26. Visual BTC.24 Personal Protective Equipment

27. Visual BTC.25 Perspectives “All the flashing lights and noise and uniforms and equipment and excitement makes just another day in the life for you. For the motorist it’s a giddy adventure ride at CrashLand Theme Park. Don’t count on them focusing on you if you don’t make yourself unmistakably the person they need to be watching. Got your glow-vest, whistle, and white gloves ready?” Dr. Joel F. Shults, Chief Adams State College Police Department

28. Visual BTC.26 Exercise  Part One (in classroom)  Each person will demonstrate the hand signals for: Stop Forward Right Turn Left Turn

29. Visual BTC.27 Exercise  Part Two (in parking lot)  Each Person will demonstrate using hand signals / whistles Stop Forward Right Turn Left Turn Right Turn across a traffic lane Left Turn across a traffic lane Place a car in hold position to not block single lane

30. Unit Summary  Safety First, Second and Always…  Perspectives  Hands, Tools and Gear  Personal Protective Equipment Visual 5.28