DB 10-12 Traffic Accident Investigation

Question 1

The new proposal will provide a basic guide on how to conduct a traffic accident investigation and also outlines the necessary reports that have to be completed with consideration to the _____

Answer 1

AB 220, Firefighter Bill of Rights

Question 2

What do the major changes include?

Answer 2

• extending the time F-150 Accident report is due from 7 days to 14 days to allow members adequate time to secure representation if desired
• law enforcement investigating agency determines cause instead of Chief Officer

Question 3

At Scene Investigation: What is the primary objectives of the investigating officer at an investigation scene?

Answer 3

Determine circumstances surrounding event, and to report them accurately

Question 4

At Scene Investigation: These objectives are attained through an ___ and ___ method of investigation

Answer 4

organized and systematic method

Question 5

Arrival At Scene:

If upon arrival, you encounter a serious accident involving Fire Department apparatus, who is notified?

Answer 5

• Administrative Division Chief

- Request LA City Attorney response through MFC

Question 6

What is the Criteria for Specialized Collision Investigation Detail (SCID) response?

Answer 6

• Any traffic collision involving city-owned or city mileage vehicle that results in fatality or severe injury
• Any traffic collision resulting in a fatality or severe injury, which may result in a criminal felony prosecution and which is beyond the scope of the investigating officer’s expertise
• Any major unusual traffic occurrence, when requested by the concerned traffic division watch commander

Question 7

A severe injury is defined as what?

Answer 7

Any serious, incapacitating injury, which normally requires hospitalization other than for observation, and prevents victim from walking or driving

Question 8

Los Angeles City Attorney Response Criteria: LA City Attorney generally uses the same response criteria as who?

Answer 8

LAPD SCID team, however will respond any time they are requested

Question 9

Investigation: Interviews will normally be conducted between what hours?

Answer 9

8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, unless investigation is time sensitive

Question 10

Investigation: What are examples of time-sensitive issues?

Answer 10

• significant traffic accidents
• in-custody deaths
• wrongful deaths
• firefighter fatalities/serious injuries
• high potential for litigation

Question 11

Investigation:
If a member chooses to exercise his/her right to representation, and the investigation is not time-sensitive, you may need to schedule an interview ____-

Answer 11

at a later date

Question 12

Investigation:
If management determines that the matter is time-sensitive, and the member is unable to obtain representation within ___ minutes, management reserves the right to detail an available representative of the member’s choice to provide representation to the member.

Answer 12

90 minutes

Question 13

Investigation:

Investigations that are serious in nature shall be ____

Answer 13

recorded

Question 14

Investigation:
Investigations that are serious in nature are defined as: Per the Penalty Guidelines, whenever a first offense violation has the potential for a penalty of “__” or greater.

Answer 14

“B” or greater

Question 15

Investigation: What is a “B” penalty?

Answer 15

6-10 day suspension

Question 16

Investigation: What is the very heart of any investigation?

Answer 16

the interview of any person (driver/witness)

Question 17

An F-150 shall be completed by who, and submitted when?

Answer 17

By LAFD Investigating Chief Officer and forwarded within 14 calendar days

Question 18

Who completes the FG-88?

Answer 18

Automobile Accident Report (FG 88) completed by driver and tiller person

Question 19

The Preliminary Investigation Packet shall be forwarded to who, within how many days?

Answer 19

Through Channels to Emergency Services Bureau within 14 calendar days

Question 20

When is an F-80 required?

Answer 20

On all accidents including where theres no damage to department apparatus/vehicle

Question 21

Hearing: What accidents will fall into the hearing category?

Answer 21

• Clear violation of Department policy
• obvious neglect
• at fault accidents causing extensive damage, injury, or liability to City
• Members with multiple accidents (2 or more)

Question 22

Hearing: Who normally conducts the Traffic Hearing?

Answer 22

• Administrative Assistant Chief

Question 23

Hearing: Who is in attendance to a traffic hearing?

Answer 23

• Administrative Battalion Chief
• Battalion Driving Coordinator
• Member’s immediate supervisor
• member involved and his/her representative if one is chosen

Question 24

Hearing:
Traffic Accident Hearings are normally recorded. Member will be advised about the ______, and if the accident involves or has the potential to involve ___

Answer 24

• Rules and Regulations Section 11(a)

- if involves criminal misconduct

Question 25

Hearing:

The member shall be administered the ___ Admonition

Answer 25

Lybarger Admonition

Question 26

Hearing:

What does the Lybarger Admonition order the member?

Answer 26

Orders the member to answer the questions asked of him/her under the threat of discipline if they fail to comply and that the information he/she provides cannot be used against them in a subsequent criminal proceeding.

Question 27

Hearing:
After the Hearing is complete the Hearing Officer will take the matter under submission and make a formal finding and forward the report to the respective ____

Answer 27

Bureau Commander

Question 28

Hearing:

What will the findings as result of a hearing include recommendations for?

Answer 28

No further action or a request for review by PSD if accident is determined to be Category II, III, or IV accident

Question 29

Hearing: Who will be assigned the responsibility for conducting the CTS investigation by PSD?

Answer 29

Respective Bureau

Question 30

Hearing:
The Traffic Accident Hearing Report is formatted for a consistent approach and categorizes the accident into how many categories?

Answer 30

one of four categories

Question 31

Hearing:
Which category is an accident in which Fire Department personnel exercised reasonable judgment and precautions, exhibited good apparatus/vehicle operator’s and officer’s skills and observed all state, local and Fire Department statutes, ordinances and rules?

Answer 31

Category I

Question 32

Hearing:
Which category is an accident which occurred because of inattention to vehicle operator’s and/or officer’s responsibilities or because of misjudgment of clearance in operating apparatus near stationary objects?

Answer 32

Category II

Question 33

Hearing:
Which category is an accident which occurred because of apparatus/vehicle operator’s misjudgment of clearance from other vehicles, deficiency in defensive driving techniques, or failure to anticipate other vehicle’s movements?

Answer 33

Category III

Question 34

Hearing:
Which category is an accident in which Fire Department personnel failed to follow established Department Rules and Regulations, Policies and Procedures?

Answer 34

Category IV

Question 35

Using the FG 88 to document the accident from the member will accomplish the same documentation as an ___

Answer 35

F-225

- F-225 no longer needed

Question 36

Who would handle accountability to disciplinary guidelines for any member that is found to be at fault and rises to the level of discipline and is recommended for such by the Traffic Accident Hearing Officer?

Answer 36

PSD

Question 37

Where can PSD’s disciplinary guidelines currently addressing driving violations be found?

Answer 37

CTS site in the Help/References section

Question 38

Claims for Damages:

Where can the claim forms be obtained from?

Answer 38

• Online or,

- Office of the City Clerk (200 N. Spring St, Room 395, City Hall)

Question 39

Where can completed forms be received in-person at?

Answer 39

City Clerk’s Public Counter or by mail

- no faxes