Vehicle Operations

Section 2 - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS

PURPOSE:

The Fire Department shall consider health and safety as primary concerns in the specification, design, construction, acquisition, operation, maintenance, inspection, and repair of all vehicles.

PROCEDURE:

Vehicle Operators must continually weigh Risks vs. Benefits when responding to emergencies. Safe arrival is essential for our members to be effective in emergency and non-emergency operations.

Inspection, Maintenance, and Repair of Vehicles

• All vehicles shall be kept as clean as possible. The driver of any vehicle is responsible for the cleanliness and appearance, both interior and exterior.
• Members assigned the responsibility of operating any department vehicle shall, upon commencing their tour of duty, carefully inspect the condition and serviceability of their vehicle, noting any defect, damage or missing equipment. Failure to inspect a vehicle prior to assuming control and failing to identify any such condition may result in assigning the responsibility for such defect, damage or missing equipment to the member neglecting to adhere to this policy.
• Any Fire Rescue Department vehicle found to be unsafe shall be placed out of service until repaired. Repair work will require a repair order to be signed by the requestor and then forwarded to City Garage. After being repaired, the vehicle shall be inspected prior to being placed back in service by the designated vehicle operator.
• The fuel level of each vehicle must be checked as close to the beginning of each shift as possible and properly serviced as needed. All vehicles will be turned over to the on-coming shift with a minimum of 3/4 tank of fuel. All other fluid levels are to be checked by garage personnel each week.
• Inventory sheets shall be followed during check out and inventory books filled out for EACH vehicle, EACH day. Each inventory sheet shall be signed by the OIC daily.
• One day per week, each vehicle will have a "weekly" checkout at which time ALL equipment will be removed from every compartment, checked and serviced thoroughly according to manufacturer’s recommendations, and the compartment and equipment cleaned.
• In the event any damage is incurred to a department vehicle, or if mechanical trouble becomes apparent during operation, the operator will immediately notify the OIC, then complete all appropriate paperwork. (Repair forms, accident forms.)
• Department vehicles are not to be used for pushing or towing any vehicle except as emergency operations dictate.

Drivers / Operators of Fire Department Vehicles

• Only members who are trained and certified in the proper operation shall operate Fire Department vehicles. (Must have EVOC to operate Rescue and staff vehicles). Must be a designated Relief Driver and EVOC trained to operate other apparatus (Refer to training plan)
• Drivers of Fire Department vehicles shall have a valid driver's license. Any changes in DL status (i.e. citation, suspension, revocation, etc.) shall be reported immediately to the member’s Lieutenant and Battalion Chief.
• Members will only use department vehicles for performing their official duties. Under no circumstances will department vehicles be used for private use, unless otherwise authorized.
• Drivers of Fire Department Vehicles shall be directly responsible for safe and prudent operation under ALL conditions. When the driver is under supervision of an officer (Lieutenant or Engineer), that officer shall also assume responsibility for the actions of the driver.
• Driver shall not move Fire Department vehicles until persons in the vehicle are seated and secured with seatbelts in the approved riding positions. Members must be dressed in turnout gear and belted during response.
• At a minimum, one spotter will be utilized while backing any Fire Department apparatus (Engines, Trailers, Rescue). In situations where there is limited or restricted visibility or maneuverability, two spotters should be used.
• When available the backer should also wear the wireless headsets for visual and verbal communication between the driver and backer

Fleet Safety and Operators Conformity To The Rules of The Road

• Vehicle safety includes the establishment of standards for vehicle testing, inspections, preventive maintenance, and defensive driving. Defensive driving is a matter of personal practice, which involves proper motivation, and the development of a positive mental attitude toward driving. Members are urged to adopt the correct mental attitude and response in order to drive defensively while practicing fleet safety. It is the intent of this department to reinforce safe driving habits through in-service training, driving training courses, close supervision, and discipline. Members of this department government and are constantly under close scrutiny of the public while operating a department vehicle. Because this is true, members have a duty to operate vehicles in a safe, courteous, and legal manner in conformity with Florida Statutes.
• Chapter 316.051 of the Florida Statutes provides that:
  • The rules of the road apply to the operation of vehicles upon all state and county highways, municipal streets and alleys, and wherever vehicles have the right to travel.
  • The operators of all vehicles owned by the United States, this State, or any county, city, town, district, or any other political subdivision, must conform to the provisions of this chapter.

Operating as an Authorized Emergency Vehicle

• Florida State Statute 316.003 (1) provides that the definition of an Emergency Vehicle is: Vehicles of the Fire Department, Police vehicles, and such Ambulances and emergency vehicles of municipal departments, public service corporations operated by private corporations, and the Department of Transportation as are designed or authorized by the department or the Chief of Police of an incorporated city or any sheriff of any of the various counties.
• Every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with a siren, whistle, or bell, capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 500 feet and must be approve by the department, but such a siren shall not be used except when the vehicle is operated in response to an emergency call, in which event the driver of the vehicle shall sound the siren when conditions warrant to warn pedestrians and other drivers of the approach thereof.
• There are only two types of responses recognized by this department: Emergency and Non-emergency. A true emergency is defined as a situation in which there is a high probability of death or serious injury to an individual or significant property loss and action by emergency personnel may reduce the seriousness of the situation. OIC’s and drivers must weigh risks vs. benefits based on information received during dispatch and update information when determining response mode. Additionally, the same consideration must be made for other responding units and the private ambulance company. These units should be notified to slow their response unless emergency response is necessary after FD units arrive on the scene.
• Every authorized emergency vehicle shall be equipped with oscillating, rotating or flashing lights of sufficient intensity, when illuminated, to be visible at 500 feet in normal sunlight, but such lights shall not be used except when in response to or on the scene of an emergency call, in which event the driver shall operate all oscillating, rotating or flashing lights, continuously to warn pedestrians and motorists of the approach thereof.
• F.S. 316.072 (5) states the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, except when otherwise directed by a police officer, may:
  • Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of normal traffic flow.
  • Proceed past red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation.
  • Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property.
  • Disregard regulations governing direction, movement or turning in specified directions, so long as he does not endanger life or property.

The preceding provisions will not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor will such provisions protect the driver from the consequences of his reckless disregard for the safety of others.

• Although Florida Statutes permit the operator of an authorized emergency vehicle proceed past a red signal or stop sign after slowing down as necessary for safe operation, the policy of this department will require the operator of any department vehicle to make a full and complete stop at all official stop signals or signs when responding to an emergency assignment.
• When responding to an actual or suspected emergency, members of this department will proceed at a reasonable speed while assessing existing road and traffic conditions. Extreme caution must be observed in severe weather conditions and when changing lane-to-lane, turning, and changing direction of travel.
• The greater the speed of the vehicle, the greater the chance of an accident. Extreme speeds will not be condoned. Response speed should generally not exceed the posted speed limits by more than 10 - 15 miles per hour. Higher speeds may be justified under certain circumstances and conditions, but members of this department will be held accountable for the results of their actions after a careful review.
• While responding to emergency calls, the oscillating, rotating, and flashing lights will be used continuously; the siren shall be used as conditions warrant. (Warning shall be given when proceeding through intersections even when green light is present.) (This can be limited to blasts from the air-horn or intermittent siren yelps.) When necessary, siren activation will be continual – (i.e. proceeding through red lights, heavy traffic, etc.) Remember, using these devices only gives the right to request the right of way; it does not guarantee receiving it.
• There may be times when the police department will ask us to respond to an emergency situation, but for their own reasons request us not to use lights and siren. Response under these conditions shall be routine at the discretion of the vehicle operator.
• Vehicle operators shall not cross medians with apparatus except in rare and unforeseen situations. If the decision is made to cross a median, the operator must ensure it can be done in a safe manner without causing damage to the apparatus.
• Vehicle operators shall not take on traffic in opposing lanes except in rare and unforeseen circumstances.
• When transporting a patient in a Rescue vehicle, extreme care must be observed during “emergency” transport (as defined in MFRD Practice Parameters), the speed limit should be observed and siren utilized as necessary. The intent of this mode of transport is to avoid delay at stop signs, heavy traffic, and red lights. It allows for procession after complete stop when required. It is not the intent to allow for exceeding the speed limit. This could endanger not only the patient but our members performing as attendants as well.
• During patient transport in any mode (emergency and non-emergency) the engine retarding system in the Rescue unit shall be disabled to provide a smooth transport.
• The “No-Smoke” on units shall be engaged before driving forward into the drive through bays.
• Vehicle wheel chocks will be assigned to each emergency vehicle. The vehicle operator will insure that a chock or set of chocks are placed in such a way as to prevent the forward and backward movement of a parked/unattended emergency response vehicle that is outside of the confines of a fire station. Chocks are to be used in conjunction with either air or mechanical brakes. Chocks are to be used in both emergency and non-emergency situations (excluding staff vehicles).

Access through Gated Entryways

Driver operators shall avoid accessing the gate entryways that are for key pad (visitor) use. These entryways have limited clearance for emergency vehicles. The entry method that is now advised is to use the gate card entryway only. Responding apparatus should utilize the appropriate entry feature which may include opticom, "yelp” siren feature or gate card to gain access. Should either method fail to open the gate, a firefighter shall exit* the apparatus and use the gate code on the key pad. If the gate card entryway is inaccessible, drivers may use another entryway by exercising extreme caution.

• exiting firefighters shall don a traffic safety vest to increase visibility