Roadway Incidents Flashcards
what types of roadways include at least one unit traveling in each direction?
limited-access highways
- 50/60/70 series fireboxes
- includes: 66/495/395/95/route 28/fc pkwy between popes head and route 50/dulles toll road 267/dulles access road
when units respond together in the same direction, how should they position?
single-file
when driving on the shoulder, operators must use extreme caution and be aware of…
- debris
- road signs
- guard rails
- oversized or stopped vehicles
- standing water
when can operators use designated median strip crossovers marked “AUTHORIZED VEHICLES ONLY”?
- when they can complete the turn without obstructing flow of traffic in either direction
- when all traffic movement has stopped
when can an operator enter a highway access/egress ramp in the opposite travel direction?
- unit officer confirms oncoming traffic is stopped AND no civilian vehicles will be encountered on the ramp
when can u-turn access points between jersey barriers be used?
only when necessary for life-saving measures
who takes responsibility for apparatus positioning?
driver and officer have joint responsibility for placement
when arriving on scene of an accident, OIC provides to incoming units/dspc
- accurate location (N/S/E/W)
- where incident is prior to/after a landmark (like an exit)
- clearly identify incident’s roadway location (inside/left lane, middle/middle lane, outside/right lane)
Example: on scene of accident; 66-west bound, prior to route 50. vehicles in the outside/right lane and shoulder.
what is the fend-off position?
front wheels rotated away from the incident and the pump panel facing toward the work area to protect the pump operator
how should units position for an accident at an intersection?
- all exposed sides should be blocked, with the most critical to least critical if not enough to block all sides
- channel traffic to one side of the incident only
How should EMS units position on traffic incidents?
- past the incident
- within the shielded work area
- allowing for rescue company functions, patient loading, and rapid egress
if units arrive prior to the first due engine company, how do they position?
- take the position usually taken by the first-arriving engine company
- shield for members/patients/witnesses
- first due engine will take the blocking position behind the first-arriving unit when it arrives on scene
position for EMS incidents on residential roadways
- EMS unit takes priority position in front of incident address with access to the driveway
- without a suppression unit, position in the driveway OR place cones to facilitate flow around the unit
When should an IC request VDOT traffic control for incidents on highways and interstates?
early in an incident
How should personnel place cones or flares?
- facing oncoming traffic
- ICs should account for them in short intervals
How should personnel place cones/flares if channeling traffic around a curve/hill/ramp?
- place the first cone/flare prior to the hill or curve
- rest of the cones placed diagonally across the lanes around the work zone
Positioning of Other ER Vehicles (not needed in the operation / not used as physical barriers)
- park together in a designated place
How do you position multiple EMS transport units on a roadway?
- diagonally in the protected area (to facilitate easy egress from the scene to the hospital)
Safety Considerations on Roadway Incidents
- high-visibility safety apparel (ANSI 107-2010)
- fire/heat/hazmat - turnout gear (NFPA 2112)
When exiting apparatus, personnel should (4 tasks)
- don appropriate protective clothing/vests
- ensure adjacent traffic has stopped/slowed
- exit on the work-area side of the apparatus, if possible
- ensure their travel path is clear of debris or other hazardous obstacles
what does LCES stand for, in regards to safety on roadway incidents?
Lookouts
Communications
Escape Routes
Safety Zones
what are visibility considerations for roadway incidents?
- glare recovery time (light to dark = 6 seconds to recover; dark to light = 3 seconds to recover)
- headlights blinding drivers
- smoke migration/hose stream overspray/steam conversion hindering visibility (esp in parking garages)
what are the best combination of lights to provide max night visibility?
- red warning lights on
- headlights /fog lights off
- pump panel lights on
- rear/front spotlights on and directed onto a traffic cone
- traffic directional boards operating
Clearing Traffic Lanes
- instruct drivers involved in property-damage-only accidents to remove their vehicles from travel lanes while waiting for PD
- EMS units should move from the roadway as soon as practical
