Module 5 Safe Parking MOT Training for Incident Responders in Florida

Module 5 Blocking Positioning an apparatus or other vehicle at an angle across one or more lanes of traffic to shield the activity area at an incident scene Made “to the right” or “to the left” depending upon which way the unit is positioned at the scene Avoid closing more lanes than necessary –Consider closing the incident lane(s) only –If necessary, plus one more lane –Remove it as soon as possible when it’s not longer necessary

Module 5 Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD

Module 5 Critical Wheel Angle AWAY This requires the steering wheel to be turned all the way to the left or to the right, AWAY from the protected activity area. Pictures: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD

Module 5 Vehicle Position Downstream –Tow vehicle –Ambulance Upstream –Road Ranger/FDOT –FHP –Fire truck Note: The upstream configuration can vary with the arrival order and the need.

Module 5 Ambulance Positioning Must be positioned in a protected location at a highway incident scene downstreamprotected activity areaThe downstream protected activity area is the first place to consider for parking the ambulance

Module 5 Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD

Module 5 Vehicle Lighting shouldOnce at an incident scene and in a blocking position, the operator should initiate stationary light-shedding procedures –Apparatus headlights/strobes can blind oncoming drivers –Amber lighting most visible in all weather –If vehicle equipped with lighting underneath, utilize it

Module 5 Light Shedding Checklist Opti-ComR Headlights OFF White Strobes OFF Ground lights ON Amber Arrow Board/Directional Lights ON Compartment lights ON

Module 5 Opti-Com Source: Google Images Search

Module 5 Headlights/Strobe Lights Headlights Strobe lights Source: Google Images Search

Module 5 Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD Ground Lights Compartment Lights Ground Lights/Compartment

Module 5 Amber Arrow Board Source: Google Images Search

Module 5 Vehicle Exit Exit on the protected side Look before exiting Look before moving Stay in the protected area Avoid turning your back to traffic flow

Module 5 Deploying TTC Devices Deploy coral, retroreflective sign upstream along the edge of the nearest travel lane to serve as advance warning Deploy first cone or flare device at the corner of the blocking vehicle where the least amount of buffer space exists between it and moving traffic

Module 5 Deploying TTC Devices Deploy additional cones or flares at appropriate intervals while moving upstream, tapering at an angle from the corner of the emergency vehicle Deploy cones downstream from blocking vehicle, parallel to lanes of moving traffic, to identify buffer area alongside work area

Module 5 Cones and Flares Spacing On Taper –25 feet (11 steps) Past Taper –50 feet (22 steps) Note: Device spacing from FDOT design standards for speed 25 mph or higher

Module 5 Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD

Module 5 Flagger Upstream Position The flagger should stand on or near the shoulder of the roadway while remaining within the clear view of the upstream motorists. Always have that guaranteed escape route - your survival area when things go wrong.

Module 5 Flagger Minimum Qualifications Sense of responsibility for the safety of public and fellow workers Adequate training in safe temporary traffic control practices Good physical condition including sight, mobility, and hearing Mental alertness and the ability to react in an emergency Courteous but firm manner Neat appearance Read Section 6E.01 MUTCD 2003

Module 5 Safety Benchmarks

Module 5 Safety Benchmarks Never trust approaching traffic 1.Never trust approaching traffic 2.Avoid turning your back to approaching traffic Picture: ResponderSafety.com – Best Practice Roadway Incident Scene Safely; Safety Benchmarks

Module 5 Safety Benchmarks 3.Establish an initial block with the first arriving emergency vehicle Picture: ResponderSafety.com – Best Practice Roadway Incident Scene Safely; Safety Benchmarks

Module 5 Safety Benchmarks 4.Wear appropriate PPE including ANSI high-visibility vests Picture: ResponderSafety.com – Best Practice Roadway Incident Scene Safely; Safety Benchmarks

Module 5 Safety Benchmarks 5.At nighttime incidents, turn off all sources of vision impairment to approaching vehicles including vehicle headlights and spotlights Photo By: Sarah Britain Picture: ResponderSafety.com – Best Practice Roadway Incident Scene Safely; Safety Benchmarks

Module 5 Safety Benchmarks 6.Establish advance warning and adequate transition area traffic control measures upstream of incident to reduce travel speeds of approaching motorists Picture: ResponderSafety.com – Best Practice Roadway Incident Scene Safely; Safety Benchmarks

Module 5 Safety Benchmarks 7.Use traffic cones and/or cones illuminated by flares where it is safe to do so for sustained highway incident traffic control and direction Picture: ResponderSafety.com – Best Practice Roadway Incident Scene Safely; Safety Benchmarks

Module 5 Safe Parking Challenge

Module 5 Meet the Challenge of “Safe Parking” If you set up all components of a Temporary Traffic Control Zone…

Module 5 You’re arriving first in the ambulance at this incident on a 4- lane limited access expressway. How do you position?

Module 5 To temporarily create a protected work area… at least until larger FD apparatus arrive or other agency that can throw you a proper block. You “block”

Module 5 What not to do?

Module 5 Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD Don’t Create a ‘Split Scene’

Module 5 Why ‘Split Scenes’ are dangerous! Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD

Module 5 If this is how you position your vehicles and allow incident responders to operate while working in or near moving traffic, you are in DANGER. Picture: Safe Parking…While Operating In or Near Moving Traffic, Texas FD

Module 5 END Question or Comments