Emergency Vehicle Operations Unit VIII Avoiding Accidents 1 Dave Denniston Loss Control Training Specialist

Avoiding Accidents Unit VIII Objectives  The EVO will be able to identify and demonstrate the principles of defensive driving  The EVO will be able to describe and demonstrate the safe operation and driving skills of emergency operation  The EVO will list three defensive actions or accident avoidance techniques. 2

Avoiding Accidents Get started on a safe response takes work 3

Leaving the Fire House 4

Can Other Drivers See You? 5

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Accident Avoidance Techniques  During Response  Preplanning Routes  Response Level  Command & Control  Enforcement of SOP’s 7

Mental Awareness Sense of Urgency  Can create a false need for speed  Speed affects the perception/reaction time of EVO and performance of apparatus  Speed can have adverse physiological affect on crew  Never exceed the speed that is reasonable and proper for existing conditions 8

Looking for Hazards allows  Time to plan an escape route out of the emergency  Always have a cushion  When you see a hazard, think about what you would do to avoid or minimize any accident  Always be prepared to take action based on your plan 9

Looking for Hazards 10

Dynamics of an Accident VEHICLE COLLISION   1 st Collision  Vehicle vs. Another Object  HUMAN COLLISION  2 nd Collision  Occupant vs. Safety System(s)  Unbelted Occupant vs. Vehicle  Occupant vs. Unsecured Objects 11

Right Side Drops Off Road 12

Correcting a Problem Do Not Panic Always Wear Your seatbelt Maintain control of the steering wheel Take your foot off the accelerator, but do not brake Allow the Vehicle to slow down on its own 13

Correcting a Problem When the vehicle reaches a slow, safe speed, turn the wheel to the left and gently steer back onto the highway Do not jerk the wheel Be careful to not overcorrect 14

Correcting a Problem 15

Correcting a Problem 16

Emergency Vehicle Operations Basic Driving Skills  Staying alert for variables  Avoid tunnel vision  Always scan surroundings  Identify an escape route  Maintain a cushion  Emergency warning lights and warning devices  Use when responding to an emergency  Not all modes of audible devices are the same and have different effects on motorists 17

Emergency Vehicle Operations Specific driving skills  Attention  Depth perception & ability to maneuver  Reacting, braking, and stopping  Controlling weight transfer  Adjust to adverse conditions 18

Emergency Vehicle Operations Emergencies  Steering to avoid a crash  Where to steer  Leaving the road  Avoid braking until 20 mph on loose surface  Keep one set of wheels on the road  Stay on the shoulder  Find an escape route 19

Tire Blow Out 20

Emergency Vehicle Operations  Skill is demonstrated during driving tests  Attitude –Responsibility, interest, attention, and professionalism  Anticipation  Expect other drivers to act one of two ways  Do what is expected  Do what is unexpected  EVO will always anticipate the unexpected 21

Emergency Vehicle Operations Reaction by other drivers  Confused or panicky  Unexpected behavior by stopping or swerving into other lanes of traffic  Inattentive drivers  Ignore or refuse to give the right of way 22

Emergency Vehicle Operations INTERSECTIONS  Use extreme caution when traveling through  Remove foot from accelerator and place on brake as approaching  Reduce speed  Full & complete stop against a stop signal  If visibility is blocked or unclear always stop 23

24 When traveling Left Of Center What’s your speed?Where’s your first stop? What do you see? What DON’T you see?

25 When traveling Left Of Center Stop at the rear bumper of the first vehicle in the left lane.

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27 MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH EVERY DRIVER!

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29 Notice of Approach: The driver has to SEE you to give you the Right Of Way.

30 YOUR ONLY YOUR vehicle speed is the ONLY difference between continuing through the intersection or being involved in a collision.

31 STOP

32 STOP

33 STOP

34 STOP

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Emergency Vehicle Operations Maneuvering  Reduce speed  Complete stop behind blocking traffic  Approaching traffic yields right of way  Proceed when safe to do so  Return to normal lane when safe to do so and as soon as possible. 40

Emergency Vehicle Operations Mental Awareness  False sense of power  reckless driving  Size of apparatus should not influence your judgment  Responsibility to crew and public for safety 41

IMPROPER BACKING ALWAYS use a ground guide. Your ground guide should position himself/herself at the left rear of the tanker. Keep the ground guide visible in your side mirror at all times. Back slowly. The ground guide should use pronounced hand signals. Both hands should be at shoulder/head height. 42

Improper Backing 43

Standard Apparatus Operation Communications 44 When using hand signals, these signals are as follows:

45 Stop

46 Right or Left

47 Diminishing Clearance

48 Ahead or Back-Up

49 Emergency Vehicle Operations Case History

Emergency Vehicle Operations Case History  Multiple department response  Intersection  Seat Belts  Technology 50

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Emergency Vehicle Operations  Intersection  Two apparatus approaching at the same time  Technology 52

Emergency Vehicle Operations  ?  What action may have prevented the incident 53

As the EVO what is your main objective when approaching the scene: A. Scene size up. B. Types of injuries reported. C. Setting up a safety barrier for the crew. D. All of the above. Click here Vehicle Placement:  20 feet before the accident scene.  wheels turned away from accident scene.  vehicle placed at a 45 degree angle.  rear warning lights illuminated.

Click here Blocking the Scene

56 When operating at an incident on a roadway, when should the EVO place their vehicle ahead of the scene? A.When no other units are responding. B.When you first arrive for scene size-up. D. Never, always use your vehicle as a barrier. C.When you are ready to load the patients into the ambulance.

Loading Patients 57

58 When operating on an express highway or other dangerous roadway, you should? A. B.Always shut down the entire roadway. C.Park your vehicles on the side of the road so you don’t obstruct traffic. D.Illuminate all lighting on all vehicles so other vehicles will avoid you. A.Always operate with additional units. Click here

Use Additional Vehicles to Block 59

Avoiding Accidents Unit VIII Objectives  The EVO will be able to identify and demonstrate the principles of defensive driving  The EVO will be able to describe and demonstrate the safe operation and driving skills of emergency operation  The EVO will list three defensive actions or accident avoidance techniques. 60 Review Exercise is located on Page 102 of the student Training Manual.