Roadway Incidents Flashcards
What does LCES stand for?
pg.6
“Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes, and Safety Zones.”
Emergency response to incidents on limited access highways should include at least ______ unit(s) travelings in ______ direction on the highway.
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.”
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?
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.”
How should units respond together when responding in the same direction?
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.”
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.
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.”
Response to access/egress ramps should be in what direction of travel?
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.”
The use of U-turn access points shall only be used when?
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.”
Proper spotting and placement of apparatus is the responsibility of whom?
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.”
How are lanes identified on a roadway?
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
On a roadway incident where does the first arriving engine position?
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.”
What is the fend-off position?
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.”
Blocking apparatus shall be placed at least how many feet behind the first operating unit?
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.”
Where should the rescue or extrication company position?
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.”
EMS units shall position where on the incident?
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.”
Where should Command and staff vehicles position on roadway incidents?
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.”
NOTEWORTHY
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.”
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?
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”
the second apparatus, and third if necessary, shall always be placed where?
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.”
NOTEWORTHY
“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.”
EMS units have the priority to position where on EMS incidents?
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.”
If an EMS unit is going to operate on scene without a suppression unit, then they shall position where?
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.”
What do flares and traffic cones assist with on roadway incidents?
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”
How many feet are lane markers in length and how many feet of space is there between lane markers?
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.”
How long should the buffer space be?
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”
NOTEWORTHY
“Roadways facilitating speeds of 55 mph or greater should have longer Taper and Buffer Spaces which assists in establishing a safe work zone.”
If the emergency warning lights are turned off, what must be activated?
emergency flashers
pg.14
“if the emergency warning lights are turned off, the emergency flashers must be activated.”
As the human eye becomes adapted to the dark, what is the 1st color to leave the spectrum?
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.”
What is glare vision and recovery?
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.”
Light to dark vision recovery takes at least how many seconds?
Dark to light, vision recovery takes how many seconds?
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.”
NOTEWORTHY
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.”
The best combination of lights to provide maximum night visibility is as follows:
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,
One minute of stopped traffic causes an additional how many minutes of delay in travel?
4
pg.15
“One minute of stopped traffic causes an additional four-minute delay in travel.”
VDOT Traffic incident levels
Level 1
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.
VDOT Traffic incident levels
Level 2
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.
VDOT Traffic incident levels
Level 3
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.
NOTEWORTHY
Never take a partial lane.
NOTEWORTHY
Never allow traffic to come around both sides of an accident scene.
NOTEWORTHY
Start operations at roadway incidents defensively.
