PN 210 Crew Safety on Appliances

Question 1

Who has overall responsibility on Brigade Appliances?

Answer 1

Overall responsibility for crew safety on appliances rests with the vehicle driver and/or appliance commander.

Question 2

List the considerations when maneovering under low structures.

Answer 2

6.1 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.

Question 3

What are the considerations when manoeuvring on soft or uneven ground?

Answer 3

5. 1 In normal circumstances Brigade appliances or vehicles should not leave the carriageway of a road or other hard standing.
6. 2 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.
7. 3 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 (see also footnote at 3.9).
8. 4 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.
9. 5 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.

Question 4

What are the considerations when manoeuvring under low structures ?

Answer 4

6.1 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.