Ch. 3 Apparatus Safety And Operating Emergency Vehicles Flashcards
What is NFPA 1002?
Standard for fire apparatus driver operator professional qualifications
What is NFPA 1001?
Standard for firefighter professional qualifications
What abilities and skills should drivers possess? P80
Reading skills  computer skills writing skills mathematical skills physical fitness visual acuity (NFPA 1582) adequate hearing (NFPA 1582)
Unless specifically exempt, fire driver/ operators are subject to any statute, rule, regulation, or ordinance that governs any other vehicle operator. P83
Ignorance of the law does not limit your liability for failing to follow it. Failure to follow appropriate laws and policies may endanger fire personnel and/or civilians
What are some exemptions for emergency vehicles when responding to an emergency using audible and visual warning devices? P 84
Speed limits
direction of travel
direction of turns
parking statutes and ordinances
What is reckless disregard? P 84
An act of proceeding to do something with a conscious awareness of danger, while ignoring any potential consequences of so doing
What is negligence? P 84
When the driver has been found guilty of a gross violation of standing laws, policies, or ordinances
What is gross negligence? P84
Willful and wanton disregard.
Acting with recklessness. 
What is due regard? P84
To drive with “due regard” for the safety of others using the highways
Obey all traffic control devices and rules of the road during nonemergency driving
The most common place for a collision to occur is at an intersection. P 85
When a driver drives with due caution and is fully aware of surrounding traffic, collisions are much less likely to occur.
What is situational awareness? P 85
Perception of one’s surrounding environment and the ability to anticipate future events
What are the seven basic causes of fire apparatus collision? P 86
improper backing Reckless driving excessive speed lack of driving skills and experience overloading and misuse mechanical failure driver personal readiness
What actions are considered reckless when driving a piece of fire apparatus? P 86
Driving at an excessive speed
Letting the apparatus run off a paved surface, onto a soft road shoulder
Attempting to read a map, electronic device, talking on his cell phone, or texting while driving
Failing to abide by posted weight limits
Following too close behind other apparatus or other vehicles
Failing to obey posted traffic regulations or directions
Feeling yield to other responding emergency vehicles
Reacting with panic or unpredictable behavior to an approaching emergency vehicle
Drivers should develop a safety conscious attitude. It is critically important to remain calm and drive in a safe manner. P86
Consider the public image of your department.
What is brake fade? P 87
Loss of breaking function which occurs due to excessive use of the brakes
What are some reasons for lack of driving skills? P88
Overconfidence in your driving ability
Inability to recognize a dangerous situation
False sense of security because of a good driving record
Misunderstanding of apparatus capabilities
Insufficient training on a piece of apparatus
What is overloading and misuse? P 88
Overloading, non-engineered modifications, and miss use. Design limitations are exceeded or the apparatus is modified from a original configuration and design. Resulting in unsafe operation
What are some causes of driver impairment? P89
- Substance abuse
- prescription drug and some OTC drugs taken as directed
- personal issues
- death in the family
- illness
- depression
- fatigue
Firefighters should never be allowed to ride the Tailboard, front bumper, or running boards of any moving apparatus. This is specifically prohibited by NFPA 1500. P 92
When preparing to start the apparatus, wait for an emergency response or routine trip, the driver first know…. P94
The destination and route of travel
What is a high exhaust system temperature (HEST) indicator? P94
Light when the exhaust system is very hot, usually due to an active regeneration in process 
What is a DPF indicator? P94
Lights to indicate that the DPF is loading up with soot 
What is a manual (parked) regeneration switch? P 94
Allows the driver to manually initiate an active regeneration to burn off the DPF soot load
What is a regeneration inhibit switch? P94
Allows the driver to keep the engine from initiating an active regeneration process
Active regeneration can occur in two manners, which are….. P95
AUTOMATIC MODE. When the engine load, exhaust temperature, and engine speed are within an acceptable range.
MANUAL (PARKED) MODE. Allows the cleaning of the DPF in stationary truck operations and requires operator involvement to initiate.
an idling time of …… minutes is sufficient. P95
Three to five minutes.
A hot engine should go to the normal operating temperature
Shutting down an engine without sufficient cool down may result in the following…? P 95
Immediate increase of engine temperature from lack of coolant circulation
Oil film “burning” on hot surfaces
Damage to heads and exhaust manifolds
Damage to the turbocharger that can result in seizure
What is the Angle of approach? P 97
Angle formed by level ground and a line from the point where the front tires touch the ground to the lowest lowest projection at the front of the apparatus.
What is the angle of departure? P 97
Angle formed by level ground and a line from the point where the rear tires touch the ground to the lowest projection at the rear of the apparatus
What is the break over angle? P 97
Angle formed by level ground and a line from the point where the rear tires touch the ground to the bottom of the frame at the wheelbase midpoint
What is the law of inertia? P98
Objects in motion tend to remain in motion; objects at rest tend to remain at rest unless acted upon by an outside force
How do you best prevent engine damage? P 98
Limit downhill speed to lower than maximum rpm
Engine speed faster than the rated rpm can result in engine damage
What is engine lugging ? P 99
It occurs when the throttle is applied when a manual transmission is in too high a gear for the demand on the engine
What is over throttling ? P 99
Process of injecting or supply the diesel engine with more fuel that can be burned off.
Results in an excessive amount of carbon particles in the exhaust, oil dilution, and additional fuel consumption
There are ______ locations in the US where there is less than _____ feet following the railroad tracks. These sites account for an average of ____ accidents annually. P99
19,824 locations
100 feet
122 accidents
It may take ____ to ____ times greater distance for a vehicle to come to a complete stop on snow and ice than it does on dry pavement. P99
3 to 15 times
What are some guidelines to help avoid potential collisions ? P100
- Aim high in steering.
- Get the big picture.
- Keep your eyes moving.
- Leave yourself an out.
- Maintain enough distance from the vehicle ahead and pull out of traffic safely if the need arises.
- Make sure that others can see and hear you.
At speeds above ____mph, any emergency vehicle made outrun the effective range of its audible warning device. P101
50 mph
In some instances, increasing the speed of an apparatus by ____ mph can decrease the audible distance by ____ feet or more. P101
20 mph
250 feet
When more than one emergency vehicle is responding along the same route, they should travel at least ___ to ____ feet apart. P101
300 to 500 feet
What are some guidelines when passing of the vehicles to ensure safety? P104
Always travel on the innermost (fast lane) on multi lane roads
Avoid passing vehicles on the right side
Be certain that opposing lanes of traffic are clear before crossing the centerline
Avoid passing other emergency vehicles if it all possible. 
What is visual lead time? P105
The time needed to stop the apparatus or perform innovasive maneuver at the current rate of speed
It will determine whether or not reaction time and stopping distances will be sufficient in an emergency
What is braking distance? P105
The distance the vehicle travels from the time the brakes are applied until it comes to a complete stop
What is total stopping distance? P105
The sum of the driver reaction distance and the vehicle breaking distance
What is reaction distance? P105
The distance to the apparatus travels while the driver transfers his or her foot from the accelerator to the brake pedal After perceiving the need for stopping
What are factors that affect the drivers ability to stop the apparatus? P105
Road conditions and slope of driving surface.
Speed of apparatus.
Weight of the vehicle.
Type and condition of the vehicles tires and braking system.
What is a skid? P107
An uncontrolled slide across the surface in a wheeled vehicle.
Two common types of skidding are? P108
Acceleration and locked wheel skids
What is an acceleration skid? P108
Accelerated skids usually occur when the gas pedal is applied to quickly
The wheels lose traction on the road surface
What is a locked wheel skid? P 108
Generally results from braking too hard at a high rate of speed. The vehicle will skid no matter which way the steering wheel is turned
What are some of the most common causes involving driver error in skidding? P108
Driving too fast for road conditions.
Failing to anticipate obstacles.
Improper use of auxiliary breaking devices. Improper maintenance of tire air pressure and adequate tread depth
NFPA 1901 requires that all apparatus with a GVWR of ____ pounds or greater be equipped with an auxiliary braking system. P109
36,000 lbs
What are the four types of auxiliary brakes used to aid the foundation breaks in slowing a vehicle? P109
Exhaust brake.
Engine compression brake.
Transmission output retarder. Electromagnetic retarder.
What four functions determine the amount of retardation force available for any auxiliary braking system? P109
Vehicle speed, engine speed, temperature, and control strategy. 
Which auxiliary brakes provide the highest level of braking torque and are unaffected by transmission gear shift changes? P109
Transmission output retarders and electromagnetic retarders
Which is the least capable of the four auxiliary brake devices? P110
Exhaust brake. 
What is a engine compression brake? P110
Convert the mechanical energy of the vehicle into heat by compressing the engine intake air and then discharging the pressure to the atmosphere to the exhaust.
It has no impact on engine temperature
How does an electromagnetic retarded work? P110
It is either mounted in the driveline, or supplied as an integral part of the rear axle. An electromagnetic field is created by supplying electrical power to a series of coils in the retarder. This field inhibits the rotation of the rotor and create a braking torque at the rear wheels. 
Electromagnetic retarders will experience some loss of effectiveness at high temperatures
How do transmission output retarders work? P110
It uses the Visco‘s property of the automatic transmission fluid to retard the driveline. Transmission fluid is introduced into the retarder housing and energy is absorbed into the fluid to the opposing action of spinning veins. It retards the vehicle through the we wheels and add heat to the transmission fluid. Heat is dissipated to the transmission cooler and radiator
What is automatic traction control? P111
It automatically reduces engine torque and applies the brakes to wheels that have lost traction and begin to spin. This transfers torque to the wheels that still have traction, which helps improve overall traction on slippery roads.
What is interaxle differential lock? P111
It allows for speed differences between the rear driving axles. It allows the operator to lock out the interaxle differential action between the rear tandem driving axles, creating one solid drive line between the rear axles.
Each axle recientes full torque from the engine.
What are the two types of stability control systems to help prevent rollovers and tipping?p112
Roll stability controls (RSC) and electronic stability controls (ESC)
What is role stability control (RSC)? P112
It is integrated into the ABS system. Includes a lateral accelerometer that senses when the side force caused by cornering approaches a rollover threshold
What is electronic stability control? P112
It is a more capable system than RSC. ESC applies the brakes independently to aim the vehicle in the direction that the operator positions the steering wheel. Most ESC systems also reduce engine power until controlled is regained
Where should the spotter be positioned when preparing to back the apparatus? P114
The spotter should be positioned in the vision of the driver, preferably on the left side mirror, approximately 8 to 10 feet behind and slightly to the left of the apparatus
What is the best side for the spotter to be on? P114
The best side for the spotter is on the driver side of the apparatus if there is only one spotter
What are the six hand signals that may be used to maintain clear communication between the spotter and the driver? P115
Backing straight.
Backing toward the left side of the apparatus.
Backing toward the right side of the apparatus.
Slowing down.
Stopping.
Pull forward and reestablish backing
What is NFPA 1451? P118
Standard for a fire and emergency service vehicle operations training program
