December/January 2006 Volume 15 Issue 1
Purpose:
To identify issues affecting safe driving practices for firefighters when responding to emergencies in Personally Owned Vehicles (POVs) as well as to make firefighters aware of legislation and insurance issues governing responses in this manner.
Scope:
This guideline applies to all fire department personnel who respond in POVs in the performance of their duties.
Responsibilities:
Operation of a POV while enroute to the fire station or the incident scene is governed by the Highway Traffic Act. A firefighter may travel on a road closed by police in a personally owned vehicle while acting in the performance of his or her duties as a firefighter. There are no other provisions that exempt firefighters from compliance with the Highway Traffic Act, regardless of circumstances.
The fire chief is responsible to ensure appropriate and timely response to all emergency calls. The fire chief is to ensure that a protocol is established with local police services whereby the police service will notify the fire department of impending road closures and impacted areas as well as the re-opening of roads.
Fire department officers are to ensure that every firefighter who may use a POV to respond within the department fully understands and complies with this guideline.
Firefighters are responsible for complying with procedures set forth in this guideline. The supply and maintenance of flashing green lights is the responsibility of firefighters who choose to install such lights.
Firefighters shall have automobile insurance, as required by law, when operating a POV. Personnel responding in a POV are not covered by his/her respective fire departments insurance. It is the responsibility of every firefighter to inform their insurance company if they respond in their POV to emergency calls for the fire department.
Background:
Firefighters may be required to respond in a POV to either a fire station or directly to an emergency scene as a normal response practice or in exceptional circumstances such as a declared state of emergency, extreme weather conditions, power blackouts, CBRN incidents, mass casualty traffic incidents or other natural disasters.
It is imperative that all firefighters arrive safely to insure the emergency is dealt with. Firefighters will not take unnecessary risks when responding to emergencies in a POV. POVs of firefighters are not fire department vehicles.
Subsections 134 (3) and (4) of the Highway Traffic Act, give police the authority to close highways. Effective November 21st, 2005 the Highway Traffic Act was amended to allow firefighters in POVs access to closed highways while the firefighter is acting in the performance of his or her duty.
The purpose of an emergency road closure is to protect motorists from potentially life threatening conditions. Firefighters responding to emergency incidents along a closed road in personally owned vehicle need to be aware that driving conditions may make it very difficult to respond in a timely manner.
Delayed response times should be expected due to emergency road closures coupled with poor driving conditions. Firefighters responding to emergency incidents, either to the scene or the fire station have the authority to travel on roads closed by police. Before exercising this authority, firefighters need to exercise good judgement to ensure their personal safety is not compromised.
The fire chief or designate may call upon firefighters to respond to the station when notified extremely poor road conditions exist. This should allow for an adequate initial emergency response in appropriate fire department vehicle should an emergency call be received. It may be necessary for fire departments to staff fire stations in the event of a road closure as part of an overall contingency plan.
Procedures:
1. When firefighters use a POV in the performance of their duties, they must exercise care. Responding as a firefighter does not relieve the driver from the duty to drive with due regard to the safety of all persons and according to road conditions, nor does it exempt the driver from complying with the provisions of the Highway Traffic Act.
2. The use of a flashing green light is optional. However, if the firefighter elects to use a flashing green light, it shall meet the following guidelines:
3. The fire chief or designate may call upon firefighters to respond to the station when notified a road closure will or has occurred. This should allow for an adequate initial emergency response in appropriate fire department vehicles should an emergency call be received.
4. Staffing of the station will be voluntary. Dependant on the circumstances, staffing may be coordinated by phone or by general page out. If reaction time allows and in situations involving an extended road closure incident, a sign-up sheet will be provided for voluntary sign-up.
5. Staffing of the station should be maintained as long as necessary or as long as the situation warrants. Since staffing is voluntary and may be required for an extended period of time, relief of personnel must be considered. The fire chief and fire department officers will make up relief rosters and ensure there is sufficient food at the station.
6. When parking a POV at an emergency scene, firefighters should park in a manner that will not hamper emergency operations.
7. After arriving on an emergency scene, all personnel shall report to the Incident Commander to receive an assignment, log their arrival time and drop off on-scene accountability tags (or other accountability system)..
References:
Reviewed date:
Introduction:
Some firefighters may use POVs when responding to alarms. Specific driver training is required as approximately 25% of all firefighter fatalities are attributed to motor vehicle collisions while responding. A quarter of these accidents involve firefighters in POVs. Knowledge of legislation and insurance issues associated with response to emergencies in a POV is also necessary. Having the ability to responsibly apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills associated with safe driving practices is an absolute must if firefighters desire to continue to be viewed as professionals.
This training plan provides support material to aid in the introduction of a sample operational guideline dealing with Firefighter Response in Personally Owned Vehicles.
Learning Outcomes:
The firefighter will:
a) what is considered to be a personally owned vehicle (POV)
b) the main differences between POVs, fire department vehicles and emergency vehicles
c) the legislated authority associated with response in POVs versus fire department vehicles
d) the Highway Traffic Act provisions associated with emergency response
e) the effects of accidents that occur as a result of response to emergencies
f) the importance and benefits of safe driving practices
g) factors that may limit the speed of response
h) why motor vehicle collisions are preventable
i) materials that should be carried in every vehicle
The firefighter will demonstrate:
a) safe driving practices during response to all emergency incidents
b) proper driving behaviors in all types of road conditions
Expectations of the Participant:
a) listen actively and participate in group discussions
b) ask questions for clarification and understanding
c) answer instructor questions
d) practice identified skills and participate in demonstrations of skills
Key Points and Terms |
Student Learning Activity |
References and Resources |
Trainer/Facilitator Activity |
| Reasons for studying Firefighter response in POVs Firefighter safety reduce injuries Getting to the scene Public image Familar with legalities Keeping insurance costs low |
Review NIOSH fatality report, PFSG 04-89-03 and the attached sample operational guideline or appropriate department SOG Participate in group discussion |
Additional information on Firefighter Response in personally owned vehicles can be found by visiting
www.cdc.gov Public Fire Safety Guideline 04-89-03 |
Lead discussion on importance of safe driving Record unsafe driving practices on flip chart Answer questions Involve participants Emphasize importance of exercising proper response habits |
| Legislation and Section 21 Guidance Notes
Highway Traffic Act, 1990 |
Listen Take notes Ask questions |
Additional information on Firefighter Response in personally owned vehicles can be found
in Firefighter Guidance Note #6-7 (22), Highway Traffic Act; Section 134 (3) & (4), Section 61 and 144, and, Section 62 (16). |
Lead lesson Explain the significance of each listed section of the Highway Traffic Act |
| Safe Driving Skills for Emergency Response in POVs Effects of weight and speed on braking and stopping distances Effects of centrifugal force on vehicles when turning Effects of inertia and weight distribution when changing the heading or direction of a vehicle Effects of tire friction in relation to driving traction, braking traction and cornering traction Effects of various weather conditions on braking, steering control and stopping distances Defensive driving strategies to prevent accidents |
Review Ministry of Transportation of Ontario Drivers Handbook Listen Take notes Ask questions |
Additional information on Firefighter Response in personally owned vehicles can be found in the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario Drivers Handbook, IFSTA Pumper Apparatus Driver / Operator Handbook, NFPA 1002, The Department Training Manual and SOPs/SOGs. |
Lead group discussion ask participants to list factors involved in the majority of collisions
Record answers on flip chart |
PRACTICAL EXERCISES
| Practical Driver Training
Serpentine exercise: change of direction |
Participate Observe Ask questions |
Additional information on Firefighter Response in personally owned vehicles can be found in the IFSTA Pumper Apparatus Driver / Operator Handbook, NFPA 1002, The Department Training Manual and SOPs/SOGs. |
Set up driving course Test drivers individually on skills outlined Sign off participant on practical self check #1 |
| Vehicle Safety Checks & Maintenance
Perform a vehicle circle check |
Review Ministry of Transportation of Ontario Drivers Handbook Observe components of a vehicle safety check Demonstrate components of a proper vehicle circle check of a POV |
Additional information on Firefighter Response in personally owned vehicles can be found in the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario Drivers Handbook, IFSTA Pumper Apparatus Driver / Operator Handbook, The Department Training Manual and SOPs/SOGs. |
Provide direction on components of circle check Sign off participant on practical self check #2 |
Summary:
As was mentioned earlier it is imperative that firefighters understand and appreciate the need for safe driving practices while responding in POVs. Only through this understanding can firefighters learn how to protect themselves and the public from the many dangers involved while responding to emergency incidents. At the very least, this operational guideline will allow firefighters to understand the safety, legal and insurance-related aspects to be familiar with when responding in POVs.
It will be incumbent on all firefighters, who may use a POV to respond to emergency incidents, to be familiar with the information and procedures indicated in this operational guideline to ensure a safe and efficient response is achieved at all times.
Evaluation: Note to Trainer
Ensure safety measures are adhered to during demonstration sessions.
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