210 Crew safety on appliances and other vehicles Flashcards
Who has authority to drive Brigade vehicles
Brigade appliances and vehicles may only be driven by persons holding the licence appropriate to
that group and who have qualified to the Brigade’s approved standard, either by test, or
assessment.
Footwear
In addition drivers of fire appliances and other vehicles must use footwear that will not hinder or
obstruct the safe and effective operation of the foot pedals when driving.
Seat belts
1)The Road Traffic Act - Motor Vehicle (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1982 grants exemption
from wearing a seat belt to fire brigade personnel donning their Personal Protective Equipment
(PPE). However, accident investigation indicates that failure to wear seat belts and secure
appliance doors has in some instances directly contributed to the nature and severity of injuries
sustained by brigade personnel.
2)Seat belts must be worn by all personnel travelling in Brigade vehicles when attending or
returning from operational incidents and using the vehicle for non-operational purposes, such as
community safety visits. In addition, all locks and security fittings on doors should be fully
engaged by the person nearest the door(s), and the door(s) security tested, before the vehicle
moves off.
3)With the exception of the above, whenever practicable and without causing delay to response
times, PPE is to be donned prior to the appliance moving off.
Resposibilities of the driver
Appliance commanders are to ensure that when a mobilising message is received whilst mobile,
the provisions detailed above (PPE is to be donned prior to the appliance moving off) are adhered to prior to the appliance proceeding.
Appliance commanders are responsible for ensuring these instructions are followed at all times.
When can the wearing of seat belts be relaxed
The wearing of seatbelts may be relaxed in the following instances:
(a) A driver performing a manoeuvre which includes reversing.
(b) A driving instructor supervising a learner driver while the latter is performing a manoeuvre
which includes reversing.
(c) A driving examiner conducting a test, when wearing a seat belt would endanger him/herself
or another person.
(d) A driver or passenger occupying a seat for which the seat belt becomes defective whilst the
vehicle is mobile, subject to arrangements for inspection/repair being made as soon as
practicable.
Can Crew Managers drive brigade appliance
Yes.
Crew managers driving brigade appliances should be
strictly observed.
What procedures should be carried out at change of watch
At the change of watch, or whenever there is a change of riders, personnel must:
(a) Ensure belts are adjusted to suit the individual rider’s particular requirements, and that the
belt is working correctly.
(b) Check assemblies for correct operation.
(c) Keep sharp edges and damaging objects away from the belts and other parts of the restraint
system.
(d) Report seat belts if they are damaged or failing to return into their housing.
What checks should be carried out on appliance lockers/shutters and vehicle doors
All personnel are to ensure that:
(a) Before the appliance/vehicle is moved, all door catches and locks are fully engaged and
shutters closed and secure.
(b) Where appliance/vehicle doors have shoot bolts fitted or additional security devices, they
are to be engaged before the vehicle moves and are not to be disengaged until it comes to a
complete stop.
(c) They do not dismount until after the vehicle has come to a complete stop.
(d) No items of clothing, etc, are caught between the door and the door opening.
(e) Door catches, locks and additional safety and security devices are checked for correct
operation.
(f) All equipment is correctly stowed and secured and trays operate correctly and left secured
and all locker shutters or doors securely fastened.
(g) Any defects or safety events should be dealt with as appropriate and the appliance
commander and officer in charge (OiC) should be informed.
(h) Equipment is replaced correctly and secured in appliance lockers. The locker trays should
be checked to ensure they are operating correctly and are locked and secured. Any defects
are to be reported to the appliance commander and/or OiC and reported and recorded as
appropriate.
(i) Roller shutters are left closed and checked to ensure the catches and locks are operating
properly. Any defects are to be reported to the appliance commander and/or OiC and
reported and recorded as appropriate.
(j) Any appliance shutters which are found to be open and unattended, should be securely
closed and the appliance driver is informed prior to any movement of the appliance.
When checks should be carried out on appliance lockers/shutters and vehicle doors
Appliance and equipment checks are completed at change of watch, before and after training
and operational use and at any other time as necessary.
When will the Shutter warning system activate
This system will activate whenever the appliance handbrake is released and a shutter is
open. The method of notification to the crew is via the ‘Warning Door Ajar’ audible warning
system or via two warning lights above the driver position on the vehicle.
When will the Shutter warning system stop
Once all the shutters have been checked, the shutter open mute switch in the appliance
pump bay or on the rear light cluster of the FRU is to be depressed to reset the safety
systems. Once this has been done, the appliance can then be driven.
When can the brigade appliance traverse on soft or uneven ground
a) In normal circumstances Brigade appliances or vehicles should not leave the carriageway of a
road or other hard standing.
b)If the nature and/or severity of the incident being attended justifies an appliance traversing soft
or uneven ground, the appliance and incident commanders must ensure that the utmost care is
taken to ensure that it does not become damaged, bogged down or stranded. On these
occasions, the minimum number of appliances required to achieve the objective should leave the
carriageway or hard-standing.
c)Crew members are to dismount the vehicle to act as ‘look outs’ and continually observe the
appliance wheels for signs of sinking, and to ensure the ground is free from obstructions that
could foul the vehicle. If the slightest doubt exists, the “look outs” will signal the driver to halt.
The vehicle should then return to the highway by the same route as it left, if necessary by
reversing the entire route
d) Personnel undertaking the role of lookout are also, particularly in the case of uneven ground, to
exercise extreme caution in respect of their proximity to the appliance, and should ensure that
they remain a safe distance in the event that they slip or stumble.
e) Should an appliance become bogged down or stranded, the crew must inform Brigade Control
immediately and make no attempt to free it. Brigade Control will arrange for the appliance or
other vehicle to be recovered.
What are the safety precautions restricted headroom – safety
Under no circumstances should an appliance driver attempt to negotiate a low structure or
obstruction without observing the following precautions:
• Crew members should dismount the appliance to act as ‘look outs’ and be so positioned as to
give warning of possible fouling of the structure.
• The appliance is to proceed with extreme caution.
• If any doubt exists, no attempt should be made to negotiate the obstruction.
Where can appliance dimensions be found
Appliance dimensions can be found in the operators handbook and on a plate in the driving area
in all appliances.
When does a driver do routine checks?
Routine vehicle checks are to be carried out at change of watch in accordance with the
instructions given in the operators handbook
