Roadway Incidents

Question 1

What does LCES stand for?

Answer 1

pg.6

“Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones.”

Question 2

Emergency response to incidents on limited access highways should include at least ______ unit(s) travelings in ______ direction on the highway.

Answer 2

1 unit

each direction

pg.7

“Emergency response to incidents on limited access highways should include at least one unit traveling in each direction on the highway. Many times, callers are excited and may incorrectly report their direction of travel. A unit responding from each direction eliminates any delay that may be caused by this situation.”

Question 3

When responding to incident locations reported to be on restricted access lanes, such as high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes separated by physical barriers, jurisdictions shall use which entry point to determine the appropriate units for response?

Answer 3

nearest traffic entry point

pg.7

“When responding to incident locations reported to be on restricted access lanes, such as high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes separated by physical barriers, jurisdictions shall use the nearest traffic entry point to determine the appropriate units for response.”

Question 4

How should units respond together when responding in the same direction?

Answer 4

Single file.

pg.7

“When units respond together in the same direction, they should remain in single file. This reduces confusion to the motorists on the highway as to how to appropriately yield the right-of- way to emergency apparatus.”

Question 5

Designated median strip crossovers marked “Authorized Vehicles Only” shall only be used when?

Answer 5

apparatus can complete the turn without obstructing the flow of traffic in either travel direction, or when all traffic movement has stopped.

pg.7

“Designated median strip crossovers marked “Authorized Vehicles Only” shall only be used when apparatus can complete the turn without obstructing the flow of traffic in either travel direction, or when all traffic movement has stopped.”

Question 6

Response to access/egress ramps should be in what direction of travel?

Answer 6

Normal direction.

pg.7

“Response to access/egress ramps should be in the normal direction of travel unless the officer can confirm that the oncoming traffic has been stopped and that no civilian vehicles will be encountered on the ramp.”

Question 7

The use of U-turn access points shall only be used when?

Answer 7

situation is necessary for immediate lifesaving measures.

pg.7

“The use of U-turn access points in “Jersey” barriers is extremely hazardous and shall be used only when the situation is necessary for immediate lifesaving measures.”

Question 8

Proper spotting and placement of apparatus is the responsibility of whom?

Answer 8

Driver and officer.

pg.9

“The proper spotting and placement of apparatus is the joint responsibility of the driver and officer. The proper positioning of apparatus at the scene of an incident assures other responding resources of easy access, the establishment of a safe working area, and helps to contribute to an effective overall operation.”

Question 9

How are lanes identified on a roadway?

Answer 9

Inside travel lane

Middle travel lanes

Outside travel lane

pg.9

Additionally, to assist with identifying the location of incidents on the roadway in a clear manner, lanes shall be identified as Inside Travel Lane, Middle Travel Lane(s), and Outside Travel Lane. Figure 2 depicts these three designations as described below:

 Inside Travel Lane – Lane 1
 Middle Travel Lanes – Lane 2

 Outside Travel Lane – Lane 3

Question 10

On a roadway incident where does the first arriving engine position?

Answer 10

prior to the incident

pg.9

“The first-arriving engine should position prior to the incident (can also be thought of as behind the incident based on the flow of traffic); the engine must be close enough to the involved vehicles to provide a hose line for protection but far enough away to allow room for other units to operate. This engine shall provide a shielding effect for members operating on the incident scene.”

Question 11

What is the fend-off position?

Answer 11

angled to the lanes w/pump panel toward the work area

pg.9

“The engine company shall be placed at an angle to the lanes, with the pump panel toward the work area to protect the pump operator and front wheels rotated away from the incident. This is known as a “fend-off” position. In the event that a motorist strikes the engine, the engine will act as a barrier and in the unlikely event the engine is moved upon impact, it will travel away from the work area.

At intersections or where the incident may be near the middle of the street, two or more sides of the incident may need to be protected. Block all exposed sides. Where apparatus is in limited numbers, prioritize the blocking from the most critical to the least critical.”

Question 12

Blocking apparatus shall be placed at least how many feet behind the first operating unit?

Answer 12

at least 50 feet

pg.10

“Additional engine companies or the rescue company, if not needed for extrication, may be used for blocking. Blocking apparatus shall be placed at least 50 feet behind the first operating unit to create a safe working area.”

Question 13

Where should the rescue or extrication company position?

Answer 13

in front of the first-arriving engine in the most advantageous tactical position

pg.10

“The rescue or extrication company shall position in front of the first-arriving engine in the most advantageous tactical position for extrication functions. It is important that the rescue company position within the area shielded by the first-arriving engine company.”

Question 14

EMS units shall position where on the incident?

Answer 14

past the incident

pg.10

“EMS units shall position past the incident but within the incident space in a manner that allows for rescue company functions, patient loading, and rapid egress from the scene. It is important that EMS units position within the shielded work area.”

Question 15

Where should Command and staff vehicles position on roadway incidents?

Answer 15

past the incident

pg.10

“Command and staff vehicles shall position past the incident, but within the incident space in a manner that facilitates command functions and allows for rescue company functions and patient loading into EMS vehicles. It is important that command and staff vehicles position within the shielded work area.”

Question 16

NOTEWORTHY

Answer 16

PG.10

“The first-arriving unit, regardless of type, will take the position normally taken by the first-arriving engine company to shield the scene for members, patients, and witnesses; the engine will take the blocking position behind that unit when arriving on scene.”

Question 17

If taking the primary blocking position behind the fire will expose the engine to the possibility of fire extension, the engine may be placed where?

Answer 17

beyond the fire

pg.10

“If taking the primary blocking position behind the fire will expose the engine to the possibility of fire extension, the engine may be placed beyond the fire”

Question 18

the second apparatus, and third if necessary, shall always be placed where?

Answer 18

between oncoming traffic and the incident

pg.10

“the second apparatus, and third if necessary, shall always be placed between oncoming traffic and the incident and emergency responders engaged in operations.”

Question 19

NOTEWORTHY

Answer 19

“At times, particularly when fire is small and a period of examination and overhaul is necessary, it may be possible to move an involved vehicle and the fire apparatus off the roadway to a safe location. Even when the operation occurs off the roadway, apparatus shall be in place to provide a safe working area.”

Question 20

EMS units have the priority to position where on EMS incidents?

Answer 20

front of the incident address with access to the driveway

pg.11

“The vulnerability of EMS units on the roadways has led to the need for standardization of positioning on EMS incidents.

EMS units shall have the priority position to the front of the incident address with access to the driveway.”

Question 21

If an EMS unit is going to operate on scene without a suppression unit, then they shall position where?

Answer 21

off the roadway in a driveway (preferred),

or place cones to facilitate the flow of traffic around the emergency vehicle and operating responders

pg.11

“If an EMS unit is going to operate on scene without a suppression unit, then they shall either position off the roadway in a driveway (preferred), or place cones to facilitate the flow of traffic around the emergency vehicle and operating responders, Figure 3.”

Question 22

What do flares and traffic cones assist with on roadway incidents?

Answer 22

Flares and traffic cones assist in channeling traffic away from the incident

pg.12

“As soon as possible, the engine operator should place flares or traffic cones as appropriate. Flares

or traffic cones assist in channeling traffic away from the incident”

Question 23

How many feet are lane markers in length and how many feet of space is there between lane markers?

Answer 23

10 ft in legnth

30 ft between markers

pg.13

“Each lane marker is 10 feet in length and there is 30 feet between markers.”

Question 24

How long should the buffer space be?

Answer 24

80 ft

pg.13

“Once a Buffer Space of 80 feet has been established, cones and/or flares shall be deployed. This “Taper” length should begin diagonally across the roadway beginning at the Buffer Space and working downstream toward traffic for at least 40 feet. Each lane marker is 10 feet in length and there is 30 feet between markers”

Question 25

NOTEWORTHY

Answer 25

“Roadways facilitating speeds of 55 mph or greater should have longer Taper and Buffer Spaces which assists in establishing a safe work zone.”

Question 26

If the emergency warning lights are turned off, what must be activated?

Answer 26

emergency flashers

pg.14

“if the emergency warning lights are turned off, the emergency flashers must be activated.”

Question 27

As the human eye becomes adapted to the dark, what is the 1st color to leave the spectrum?

Answer 27

red

pg.14

“The issue of visibility becomes even more significant with nightfall. As the human eye becomes adapted to the dark, the first color to leave the spectrum is red. This is important due to the fact that our warning lights are red. The color red tends to blend in to the nighttime surroundings.”

Question 28

What is glare vision and recovery?

Answer 28

amount of time required to recover from the effects of glare once a light source passes through the eye

pg.14

“Glare vision and recovery is the amount of time required to recover from the effects of glare once a light source passes through the eye.”

Question 29

Light to dark vision recovery takes at least how many seconds?

Dark to light, vision recovery takes how many seconds?

Answer 29

Light to dark = 6 seconds

Dark to light = 3 seconds

pg.14

“From light to dark vision recovery takes at least six seconds. From dark to light, vision recovery takes three seconds. At 50 miles per hour, the distance traveled during a second is approximately 75 feet. In six seconds a vehicle has traveled 450 feet before the driver has fully regained night vision.”

Question 30

NOTEWORTHY

Answer 30

The headlights on the apparatus can temporarily blind vehicles that are approaching

If not needed drivers shall turn off vehicle headlights when parked at incidents.

Studies conducted show that at 2 1⁄2 car lengths away from a vehicle with its headlights on, the opposing driver is completely blinded.

PG.14

“The headlights on the apparatus can temporarily blind vehicles that are approaching fire and rescue apparatus. If not needed to illuminate the scene, drivers shall turn off vehicle headlights when parked at incidents. This is extremely important when operating on roadways at night. Studies conducted show that at 21⁄2 car lengths away from a vehicle with its headlights on, the opposing driver is completely blinded.”

Question 31

The best combination of lights to provide maximum night visibility is as follows:

Answer 31

PG.14

 Red warning lights on,

 Spot lights on rear and front on and directed on to a traffic cone, and

 Traffic directional boards operating.

 Pump panel lights on,

 Headlights off,
 Fog lights off,

Question 32

One minute of stopped traffic causes an additional how many minutes of delay in travel?

Answer 32

4

pg.15

“One minute of stopped traffic causes an additional four-minute delay in travel.”

Question 33

VDOT Traffic incident levels

Level 1

Answer 33

Minor

less than 30 minutes impact

no or little lane blockage

pg.16

Level 1 - Minor

Impact to the traveled roadway is estimated to be less than 30 minutes with no lane blockage or with minor lane blockage.

Question 34

VDOT Traffic incident levels

Level 2

Answer 34

Intermediate

between 30 minutes and 2 hours of impact

lane blockage but not full closure

pg.16

Level 2 - Intermediate

Impact to the traveled roadway is estimated to be between 30 minutes and 2 hours with lane blockages, but not full closure of the roadway.

Question 35

VDOT Traffic incident levels

Level 3

Answer 35

Major

more than 2 hours impact

roadway is closed in any single direction

significant congestion expected

pg.16

Level 3 - Major

Impact to the traveled roadway is estimated to be more than 2 hours, OR the roadway is closed in any single direction; significant area- wide congestion is expected.

Question 36

NOTEWORTHY

Answer 36

Never take a partial lane.

Question 37

NOTEWORTHY

Answer 37

Never allow traffic to come around both sides of an accident scene.

Question 38

NOTEWORTHY

Answer 38

Start operations at roadway incidents defensively.