SOP 209.03 FREEWAY/INTERSTATE HIGHWAY

 

Freeway incidents are most likely to include vehicle fires and/or accidents with injuries. Major potential also exists for multiple injury situations, flammable liquid spills and fires or hazardous materials incidents.

 

This plan provides specific information and procedures to be used in handling incidents occurring on the freeway system. Unless specifically superceded by this plan, all other Fire Department procedures shall be used in operations occurring on freeways.

 

DISPATCH INFORMATION

 

When dispatching an incident on the freeway, Alarm will provide the following information:

 

*   Type of Incident.

*   Location

    1. Freeway or access road
    2. Cross streets

*   Direction of Travel

If direction is unknown or if information indicates difficulty can be expected in reaching or locating the scene, Alarm will dispatch a second engine company in the opposite direction from the first.

*   Traffic-Conditions (if known)

 

 

RESPONSE

 

The following assignments will be dispatched on Freeway Incidents:

 

*   EMS/Extrication:

Engine / 1 Ambulance

 

*   Single Vehicle Fire:

1 Engine

 

*   Multiple Vehicle Fire:

Engines / 1 Ambulance if injury indicated

 

*   Hazardous Materials Incident, Flammable Liquids, etc:

Utilize Hazardous SOP 209.02, with response level as indicated from dispatch information.

 

Dispatch may receive information on a freeway incident from Police/DPS or a variety of other sources.   Communications must be established and maintained with Police/DPS to assure that needed information is exchanged during an incident.   If possible, the Police/DPS channel should be monitored in Dispatch during a freeway incident.

 

In most cases Police/DPS will arrive first at an incident and may be able to provide updated information on traffic conditions and access.  This information should be relayed to responding companies immediately.

 

The Company Officer on a responding unit is responsible for redirecting other companies or having Alarm dispatch additional companies if it becomes apparent that the first company will be unable to reach the incident due to traffic congestion.

 

 

 

APPROACH AND STAGING

 

Units responding to calls on the Freeway will respond Code 3 while on the Freeway mainline.  Units should attempt to reach the scene in the direction of the reported incident unless otherwise instructed by Police/D.P.S. If the direction is unknown, units will be dispatched to check in both directions.

 

In some cases, Police/D.P.S. may advise the best access is via the access road or by travel against the normal traffic flow.   Units should proceed in the opposite direction to normal flow ONLY at the specific request of Police/D.P.S. when it is assured that all traffic has been stopped.

 

On multiple unit responses, the first unit approaching or entering the freeway within a mile of the incident will report his identity, location and direction.  Other units approaching will then stage Level 1, preferably near an on-ramp to avoid premature commitment to the mainline or access road.

 

It is the responsibility of the first unit to direct other units via alternate access if he is unable to reach the scene. Specific directions should be given regarding approach and direction for other companies when problems are encountered.

 

COMMAND

 

The first unit arriving o n the scene of a multiple unit incident will establish Command and give an initial report. The initial report should include:                   

 

*   Traffic Conditions

*   Stopped

*   One lane open

*   All lanes open

*   Fire/No Fire (smoke showing, working fire, fully involved)

 

A follow-up report should indicate:

 

  1. Injuries/Number
  2. Extrication needed
  3. Evacuation
  4. Hazardous materials spill
  5. Call for necessary help and/or alarms

 

COMMAND POST LOCATION

 

The Command Post location should be carefully chosen for major incidents, to provide access and a good view of the scene.

 

The access road or an overpass provides a view of the scene for incidents on depressed roadway sections.

 

LIAISON WITH POLICE/D.P.S.

 

Command will establish liaison with Police/D.P.S. at the scene as quickly as possible.   In serious incidents an officer with a portable radio shall be designated to specifically handle a Police/D.P.S. Liaison Sector as outlined in SOP 206.06.

 

The primary responsibilities of the liaison with Police/D.P.S. include traffic control, directing the approach of additional resources needed at the scene and crowd control.

 

Police/D.P.S. will shut down the freeway/highway completely when the Fire Department Command feels the situation requires this action.

 

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

 

Each Company Commander is responsible to research or know the location of hydrants and access to the freeway. Water supplies and other problems must be pre-planned by the first due officers. Some typical problems that must be considered:

 

EXAMPLES

*   Early call for additional manpower to handle lines that may have to be extended long distances, over many obstacles.

*   Relay pumping probabilities.

*   Special equipment needs (tankers, foam, sand, wreckers, etc.).

*   Early call for traffic control.

*   Sewer (when dealing with spilled products).

*   Peak traffic hours.

*   Access to the freeway (ladders, on/off ramps, etc.).

*   Liquid transfer equipment.

 

APPARATUS PLACEMENT

 

Place your apparatus between you and the on-coming traffic.

 

Employ rear lights, flare, reflectors, or cones as required or directed by Police Officer; i.e., on the scene. Traffic control and warning devices should be left to Police/D.P.S. whenever possible. (The use of front warning lights tends to confuse on-coming traffic.)    Communicate with Police/D.P.S. whenever flammable liquids leaks, spills, etc., are present with regard to using flares.

 

Leave a man (usually the engineer) to watch the traffic and set up warning devices.  Parking brakes are to be set, and the apparatus set with the wheels at an angle to the side.

 

*   Consider parking above or below (on access road) if the traffic conditions are such that entry is impossible or difficult.

*   A booster line may be employed as a rope to ascend or descend to the freeway proper.

*   Where the freeway is elevated, a ladder is effective to gain access and to effect evacuation from above.

*   Only the apparatus that is absolutely necessary shall be taken onto the freeway.

*   Position apparatus in the emergency-parking lane or on the shoulder, as far off the traffic lanes as possible.

*   Do your job as rapidly as possible and then clear the traffic lanes.

*   A ladder company spotted on the access road will usually provide the best method of advancing a line to elevated sections of the freeway.

*   In sections of depressed roadway it is faster to have a company above "drop" a line than to have one advanced up the slope.  Several sections of the freeway have no access roads and will require laying hose for long distances from on-ramps if a supply line is needed. Relay pumping, tankers may be necessary.