13-09 Flashcards
The Concept of Traffic Control
The organized placement of apparatus and equipment can create safer working conditions for personnel. The greatest risk to personnel occurs during 2 phases of traffic management; set-up and takedown. Apparatus staging and the placement of equipment establish what is known as a safe working zone. Until all warning devices are in position, approaching motorists may not be expecting to find firefighters and their equipment on the roadway and extreme caution must be exercised.
The risks associated with working in this type of environment can be reduced through awareness, teamwork and communication. Every situation must be evaluated individually and steps must be taken to perform each task as safely as possible.
Safe Working Zone
An area determined by the IC where rescue, extrication or firefighting activities may take place.
Blocker Vehicle
Another apparatus which is placed 30 meters from the actual working area to protect personnel working in the Safe Working Zone.
When is a Blocker vehicle utilized?
A 2nd apparatus shall be dispatched to all incidents on highways so that one apparatus can be used as a blocker vehicle.
How is the Safe Working Zone determined?
The IC shall conduct a size-up and establish the safe working zone. The IC shall monitor the safe working zone throughout the incident and ensure scene security.
What are captains responsible for?
1-ensure the safe supervision of their personnel while responding to and attending roadway and highway incidents
2-ensure that their apparatus has the required number of traffic cones, flares and high visibility vests, as per the vehicle inventory and that they are maintained in serviceable condition
How can police help?
the safe working zone should be established in co-ordination with police whenever possible.
On major Highways?
On major highways, particularly 400 series highways, apparatus should block one more lane of traffic than needed during emergency operations.
Where should blocker vehicles be placed?
Blocker vehicles at least 30 metres and at least 4metres for every 10 km/h of posted speed from the safe working zone. Consider increasing the safe working zone when conditions such as curves, crests of hills, fog, darkness, glare, snow, ice or rain exist.
Where should front wheels be turned?
Front wheels should be turned so as to direct the apparatus off the roadway and not forward into safe working zone if hit from behind.
What is the minimum level of protection to be worn while working on a traveled highway?
All personnel shall wear, as a minimal level of protection, a helmet and bunker coat when involved in any operations while working on a traveled highway.
Personnel shall wear what when working outside the safe working zone?
All personnel shall wear a reflect vest when working outside the safe working zone at any incident on a travelled highway. Reflective vest are not required to be worn by personnel when working or involved in the safe working zone
Where should personnel exit the apparatus?
Personnel should exit fire apparatus on the untraveled side of traffic flow, whenever possible.
How are cones to be placed?
When deploying cones, personnel should use increased vigilance by facing traffic. It is recommended that safety cones should not be deployed on highways with speed limits greater that 90m/h.
Traffic cones should be spaced no more than 3 metres apart, beginning before the blocker vehicle and extending beyond the incident to provide protection.
Crossing high-speed traffic lanes
Never cross high-speed traffic lanes on foot for any purpose. Reposition apparatus instead or call for additional apparatus that can respond to the proper location.
