5007 - Vehicle, Apparatus, Or Specialty Trailer Accidents

Question 1

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Ensuring accidents involving TFD vehicles, apparatus and specialty trailer are handled according to the guidelines set forth in this document
2. Providing Vehicle/Apparatus Safety Packets
3. Notifying the appropriate City departments/offices in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
4. Maintaining this document

Answer 1

The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety or his/her designee.

Question 2

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Investigating accidents involving TFD vehicles, apparatus and specialty trailers
2. Photographing the accident or damage scene in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
3. Completing required written reports in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document

Answer 2

TFD Battalion Chiefs and Incident Safety Officers.

Question 3

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Taking initial action at the accident scene in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
2. Relieving the driver of driving responsibilities as necessary and appropriate
3. Ensuring that the accident and any resulting damage is documented photographically in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
4. Ensuring that the accident is reported to the TFD Safety Office and his/her respective TFD supervisor in a timely manner
5. Completing and submitting all required written reports in a timely manner

Answer 3

Company Officers, In-charge Firefighter/Paramedics and other in-charge personnel.

Question 4

Who shall be responsible for:

1. Maintaining the Vehicle/Apparatus Safety Packet and requesting replacement items as needed
2. Taking initial action at the accident scene in accordance with the guidelines set forth in this document
3. Completing and submitting all required written reports in a timely manner

Answer 4

Drivers/Operators/Pilots of TFD vehicles, apparatus and specialty trailers.

Question 5

Every TFD employee who drives, operates and/or tows a TFD vehicle, apparatus or specialty trailer shall do what four things?

Answer 5

a. Carry his/her driver’s license while on duty
b. Obey all traffic laws and boating regulations
c. Drive defensively
d. Use his/her best judgment and operating abilities to avoid any type of motor vehicle accident

Question 6

Who should respond to all accident scenes involving TFD vehicles, apparatus or specialty trailers and conduct an immediate on-scene investigation?

Answer 6

Battalion Chiefs and Incident Safety Officers (ISO).

Question 7

Who shall The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety report accidents to

Answer 7

other City departments/offices as follows:

a. Accidents involving citizens and/or their property to the Legal Department
b. Actual or potential accident claims to the Risk Management Office

Question 8

For accidents that do not result in an injury or fatality, the Officer, In- charge Firefighter/Paramedic or Supervisor shall call the TFD Safety Office as soon as possible, especially when private vehicles or property are involved and provide the following information:

Answer 8

a. Date and location of the accident
b. Vehicle, apparatus and/or specialty trailer involved
c. TFD personnel involved
d. Private parties involved
e. Brief description of the accident

Question 9

The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety or his/her designee shall review and classify all accidents involving TFD vehicles, apparatus and/or specialty trailers as one of the following:

Answer 9

a. Collision
b. Incident
c. Deliberate Occurrence L.D. (Line of Duty)

Question 10

The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety or his/her designee shall further classify accidents deemed to be incidents as one of the following:

Answer 10

a. Road Hazard
b. No Fault
c. Unfounded
d. Vandalism

Question 11

The Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety or his/her designee shall refer the following accident classifications to the Accident Review Board for further action as delineated in TFD Policy 5008:

Answer 11

a. Collision
b. Reviewable incident
c. Deliberate Occurrence L.D. (Line of Duty)

Question 12

Each TFD vehicle and apparatus shall have on board a Vehicle/Apparatus Safety Packet that contains the following items:

Answer 12

a. Laminated Accident Procedure checklist
b. City of Tacoma Motor Vehicle Accident Report (PER 708)
c. State of Washington Vehicle Collision Report
d. One disposable camera for accident and damage documentation
e. City of Tacoma Risk Management Office business cards

Question 13

TFD personnel shall give the Accident Procedure checklist to the other party involved in the accident.
True or false?

Answer 13

False. Do not give it to the other party involved.

Question 14

The Officer, In-charge Firefighter/Paramedic or other in-charge personnel, in consultation with TFD Fire Garage personnel as necessary and appropriate, shall place a TFD vehicle, apparatus and/or specialty trailer out of service when:

Answer 14

a. The accident involves a serious injury or fatality

b. The damage sustained in the accident prevents its safe operation

Question 15

The Officer, In-charge Firefighter/Paramedic or other in-charge personnel shall relieve the engine or ladder driver of his/her driving responsibilities for the rest of the shift when:

Answer 15

The accident involves an injury or fatality

b. The damage sustained in the accident prevents safe operation of the apparatus

Question 16

Before leaving the accident scene, the Officer or In-charge Firefighter/Paramedic shall ensure that:

Answer 16

a. The Accident Procedure checklist has been completed
b. The other party(ies) involved in the accident are given a business card for City of Tacoma Risk Management Office OR
c. Pertinent information is left in a conspicuous place on the damaged vehicle and/or property if the owner cannot be located

Question 17

If an injury or fatality occurs as a result of an accident involving a TFD vehicle, apparatus or specialty trailer, FCC personnel also shall:

Answer 17

a. Perform a Staff call out

b. Notify the City of Tacoma Safety Officer

Question 18

The Officer, In-charge Paramedic or Supervisor shall ensure the following written reports are completed and submitted prior to going off duty for all accidents involving TFD vehicles, apparatus or specialty trailers:

Answer 18

a. State of Washington Vehicle Collision Report if there is an injury or damage in excess of $700
b. City of Tacoma Motor Vehicle Accident Report (PER 708) i. The PER 708 may be submitted electronically via e-mail to the Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety ii. If submitted electronically, also send a hard copy diagram of the accident scene to the Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety
c. On-the-job injury reports as needed and in accordance with TFD Policy 5013
d. Serious injury and fatality reports as needed and in accordance with TFD Policy 5014

Question 19

The Battalion Chief and/or ISO who responded to the accident scene shall complete a written accident investigation report in IDC format and forward it via e-mail to:

Answer 19

a. The Deputy Chief of Emergency Operations, Support Services and/or Prevention and Preparedness as appropriate
b. Administrative Battalion Chief for Safety

Question 20

The Battalion Chief and/or ISO accident investigation report should contain the following information:

Answer 20

a. Witness statements from all TFD personnel and/or private parties
b. Relevant facts about the accident such as– i. Environment ii. Roadway conditions iii. Non-TFD vehicle identification numbers (VIN) iv. Insurance information from other parties

Question 21

Where can both the electronic PER 708 form and accident investigation report in IDC format be accessed?

Answer 21

FireWeb, under Safety, then Forms.

Question 22

How many pictures should be taken?

Answer 22

Take at least four pictures of each TFD vehicle.

Question 23

Who do you contact for a disposable camera replacement?

Answer 23

Contact the TFD Safety Office or TFD Timekeeper for a disposable camera replacement.