SOP 205.05 DRIVER SAFETY
When responding to emergency calls under
CODE 3 conditions, Fire Department vehicles may exceed the posted speed limit,
but shall be regulated AT ALL TIMES by existing road and traffic conditions. , At
no time will any Fire Department vehicle exceed 20 MPH above the posted speed
limit or 80 MPH under any conditions.
Under wet
or foggy or any other Hazardous weather or road conditions, Fire Department vehicles should
react Pessimistically to the conditions encountered, and in no case exceed the Posted speed limit.
Unless all lanes can be accounted for by the driver during an emergency
response, Fire Department vehicles shall come to a complete stop at all red
light intersections and negative right-of-way situations. Rule Of thumb: "IF YOU CAN NOT SEE,
STOP".
Avoid backing where possible; where
backing is unavoidable, use guides; where guides are unavailable, dismount
and walk completely around the vehicle before backing.
All City of
Members MAY NOT ride in exposed positions such as
tailboard of apparatus while responding to an alarm or while the apparatus is
in motion. The only exception to this rule applies to the brush truck; and then only
while the unit, is operating on a grass fire.
During an emergency response, Fire
Department Vehicles should avoid passing other emergency vehicles. If unavoidable, the passing arrangement
should be conducted through radio communications.
We must respond and react according to the
conditions encountered; neither poor road conditions, or inclement weather, or
the actions of others relieves the driver in the slightest degree of their responsibility to
drive safety. These
are situations likely to
be encountered at any time and we must drive accordingly.
The unique hazards of
driving on or adjacent to the fireground, require the
driver to use extreme caution and alertness, and also require that the driver
utilize prudent speed for the conditions encountered. Caution and alertness will allow the driver
to react to the unexpected.
When driving suppression
apparatus on the fireground, drivers must resist the tendency to drive hastily
or imprudently. This tendency is mostly
due to the urgent nature of fireground operations.
Drivers must consider the
dangers their moving apparatus poses to fireground personnel and spectators who
may be preoccupied with the emergency, and inadvertently step in front of or
behind a moving apparatus.
Drivers must also be aware
of the potential that exist for vehicle accidents on or near the fireground due
to the distractions caused by the emergency.
STANDARD SIGNALS FOR BACKING
OF APPARATUS
Anytime an apparatus must be backed, a
signalman is required to direct the driver.
Only one crewmember should be utilized a signalman. Another firefighter/crew member should
monitor traffic.
The signalman should try always to be in view
of the driver's side mirror. (There
will be rare exceptions where a signalman will have to use passenger side.)
SIGNALS
STRAIGHT BACK:
One hand above the head with
palm toward face, waving back. Other hand at your side.
(Left or right-hand optional) See Figure 1
TURN :
Both arms pointing the same direction with index
fingers extended. -See Figure 2. (Driver has option as to which way he
turns apparatus and signalman then assists the driver in backing apparatus.)
STOP :
Both arms thrust above head with open
hands. See Figure 3.
NIGHT
BACKING
Signals will be the same. The signalman will assure that the spotlights
on 'rear of apparatus are turned on before he allows
apparatus to be backed. A flashlight
may be carried, but at no time will it be directed toward mirror. See Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7.
SAFETY
All signalmen in traffic will wear helmet.
Remember, once the driver has determined the
direction of the turn, the signalman has complete control of the movement of
the apparatus. If there is ever any
doubt as to the safety of either signalman or apparatus,
stop the maneuver until proper adjustments are made.
