Post on 24-Dec-2015
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Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter Who Was
Responding to Alarm - Ohio
Death in theline of duty…
A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation May 18, 2000
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
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Junior Fire Fighter Killed While Responding to Fire Alarm in
His POV - Pennsylvania
Death in theline of duty…
A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation June 29, 2001
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
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Motor-Vehicle Incident Claims Life of Volunteer Fire Fighter - Ohio
Death in theline of duty…
A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation June 10, 2002
Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program
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Defensive Driving to Die ForPrivately Owned Vehicle
Response Related Deaths
Defensive Driving to Die ForPrivately Owned Vehicle
Response Related Deaths
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Report Findings Related to POV Response Related Deaths
Report Findings Related to POV Response Related Deaths
“Only knowledge of the problem and positive steps
taken in advance of the response can stem this
alarming tide of firefighter fatalities”
Fire Chief StaffOnline Exclusive October 9, 2003
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Motor Vehicle CollisionsMotor Vehicle Collisions
• Since 1984, MVC accounted for 20-25% of FF deaths– 27% fatalities were ejections– 21% fatalities were wearing
seatbelts
U.S. Fire AdministrationFire Data
FF Fatality Retrospective Study 1990-2000
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Firefighters as VictimsFirefighters as Victims
0
2
4
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Asphyx Burns Drowning MVR Non-MVR
VolunteerCareer
NIOSH – FF Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program Annual Report 2001
# of FF
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“We Don’t Think It WillHappen to Us”
“We Don’t Think It WillHappen to Us”
• Responding to an incident in POV: hit and killed motorist in another vehicle
• Delhi Township, Holt, MI - Lt. brought to trial and received 1 year in jail, responsible restitution for funeral fees to family and received 5 years probation
Firehouse January 1997
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Response in
Privately Owned Vehicles
Response in
Privately Owned Vehicles
• Speed limits• Going through traffic control
devices• Passing in an unsafe manner• Use of lights and sirens
lcfireservice.org
POV ARE NOT EMERGENCY
VEHICLES
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“Safer Response in POV”“Safer Response in POV”
• Carelessness or poor judgment can reflect poorly on the fire department
• Response to structural fires in a call/volunteer fire department community
• Strategic plan for response procedures
• Many questions need to be asked to develop criteria
Fire Chief October 1995
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Legal IssuesLegal Issues
• Personal insurance
• Local government insurance
• “Big L” - Liability – Criminal and Civil
VFIS News September 1994 and FDSOA Health and Safety April 1995
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True EmergencyTrue Emergency
“A situation in which there is a high probability of death or serious injury to
an individual or significant property loss, and action by an emergency vehicle operator may reduce the
seriousness of the situation.”
Department of Transportation
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Answer the following…Answer the following…
• How would you drive to the following:– Structure fire?– Structure fire with persons trapped?– Person choking?– Child choking?– Child in a swimming pool?– Dog through the ice?
Drive according to road
conditions, not incident
conditions!
Drive according to road
conditions, not incident
conditions!
Adopted by the IAFC’s board of directors on Aug. 14 and unveiled at
Fire-Rescue International in Dallas in August 2003, the alcohol use policy
bans alcohol drinking "by any members of any fire or emergency
services agency/ organization at any time when they may be called upon
to act or respond as a member of those departments."
Basically, if someone has consumed alcohol within the previous eight (8) hours, or is still noticeably impaired
by alcohol consumed previous to the eight (8) hours, they must voluntarily
remove themselves from the activities and functions of the fire or
emergency services agency/organization, including all
emergency operations and training.
No member of a fire & emergency services agency/organization shall
participate in any aspect of the organization and operation of the fire
or emergency agency/organization under the influence of alcohol,
including but not limited to any fire and emergency operations, fire-
police, training, etc
All fire & emergency service agencies/organizations should develop written policies and have procedures in place to support and enforce this policy
recommendation. Included in such a policy should be provisions for blood
alcohol testing of any individuals involved with any accident that causes
measurable damage to apparatus or property or injury/death of
agency/organization personnel or civilians.
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US Department of JusticePublic Safety Officers
Death Benefit Statute
US Department of JusticePublic Safety Officers
Death Benefit Statute
No benefits shall be paid if the public safety officer
was voluntarily intoxicated at the time of his death or
catastrophic injury
Intoxication means a disturbance of mental or physical faculties resulting from the introduction of alcohol into the body as evidenced by:
– A post-mortem blood alcohol level of .20 per centum or greater; or
– A post-mortem blood alcohol level or at least .10 per centum but less than .20 unless the bureau receives convincing evidence that the public safety officer was not acting in an intoxicated manner immediately prior to his death
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NFPA 1710 and 1720NFPA 1710 and 1720
• Upon assembling of resources, safe initial operations shall commence within two minutes
• Initial attack shall be organized with at least four members assembled before starting interior operations
• Two FF shall work as a team• Two In-Two Out
“Nothing regarding speed or time toward getting on scene”
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NFPA 1710 and 1720NFPA 1710 and 1720
• Health and Safety is paramount
• Imminent life safety/NFPA 1500
• Support activities to operations– i.e. Rehab, Air Supply, Water Shuttle,
EMS, etc.
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ConcernsConcerns
• Safety
• Liability
• Public Opinion
• Civil and Criminal Action
Fire Chief October 1995
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RemediesRemedies
• Understand and review Policies and Procedures
• Attend driver training seminars
• Encourage the review of prior accidents and establish policy review and update
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AccountabilityAccountability
For the person responding in their
privately owned vehicle
For once you are on scene
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“Tactical Sequence” “Tactical Sequence”
• Receipt of alarm• Responding directly to scene in POV• Mental checklist• Approaching the scene• Size up including potential situation and
environmental hazards• Staging area for POV • Properly dressed in PPE and equipped
Fire Chief October 1995
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Ensure A Safer ResponseEnsure A Safer Response
• Drive with due care• Slower means safer• Listen and watch at
RR crossings• Awareness of others• Open window • Park safely
• Park wisely• Wear seatbelts• Never operate vehicle
while fatigued • Never operate vehicle
while intoxicated or on medication
• Stop at all intersections
Firehouse June 1998
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EVR Guidelines vs. POV Guidelines
EVR Guidelines vs. POV Guidelines
• Circle of Safety• Warning Devices
and True Emergencies
• Vehicle Control and Right-of-Way
• Response Speeds• Intersection
Practices
• Non-emergency Response
• Ordinary Travel Procedures
• Riding Policy• Backing• Response in Private
Owned Vehicles
lcfireservice.org
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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy
“Develop, implement, and enforce standard operating procedures regarding the
safe operation of all vehicles responding to a
fire alarm.”NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty
June 10, 2002
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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy
“Develop standard operating procedures as they relate to responding to or returning from an alarm and monitor their use in POV”NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty
June 10, 2002
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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy
“Provide defensive driver training to all emergency vehicle operators through
insurance carriers from local community”
NIOSH Death in the Line of DutyJune 10, 2002
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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy
“Ensure that all drivers are
trained and certified in emergency
vehicle operations.”
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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy
“Ensure that firefighters observe standard operating procedures
and state motor-vehicle codes for safely driving and operating a privately owned vehicle while responding to a fire alarm.”
NIOSH Death in the Line of DutyJune 10, 2002
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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy
“To encourage, promote and support an emergency
vehicle operations certification with recognized
safety standards and thorough training and
education”NIOSH Death in the Line of Duty
June 10, 2002
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Recommendation for PolicyRecommendation for Policy
“Established written policies and properly trained personnel are
important in enabling members to respond promptly when called, yet
do so safely and legally.”
Fire Chief – November 1997
SOP’s
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Basic RequirementsBasic Requirements
• Time on the department (12 months)
• Complete a certification course in EVO
• Familiar with Policies, Procedures and Fireground Tactics
• Successfully complete a practical training evolution on a driving course
Fire Chief October 1995
These are points for becoming Motor Pump Operators that could be used while driving your POV.
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ConsequencesConsequences
• Driver Training Program
• Certification for all drivers - AHJ
• Preemption system at all intersections
• Drug and Alcohol Education Program
• Critical Incident Stress ManagementEmergencyvehicleresponse.com
August 8, 2003
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Chapter 89 MGLChapter 89 MGL
• 89:7 - Right of way of fire engines, patrol vehicles and ambulances; penalty
• 89:7A - Restrictions on use of ways upon approach of emergency vehicles
• 89:7B - Operation of emergency vehicles
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Chapter 90 MGLChapter 90 MGL
• 90:7E - Display of red or blue lights on vehicles; permits; revocation; violations
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“Just because it looks and sounds like a duck, does not make it a duck”“Just because it looks and sounds
like a duck, does not make it a duck”
• Driving with due regard • Lights and sirens are covered in
what section of your state laws? • Permission from fire chief or AHJ
Fire Chief - November 1997
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Quality and EnforcementQuality and Enforcement
• Department Safety Officer responsibility• Quality Assurance System • Random Assessment of Compliance• All incidents (accidents) reported • Investigation follow through• Reports• Disciplinary actions• Alterations to policies and procedures
Fire Chief October 1995