Emergency Vehicle Operations

by Lindsey, Jeffrey T., Ph.D; Patrick, Richard

• ISBN13: 9780131181557
• ISBN10: 0131181556
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-10-04
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

The authors of this text, some of the best known in the industry on this topic, have written this book to provide guidelines, tools, and standards for safe and professional emergency vehicle operations. This valuable information, gathered from years of experience, references the NFPA 1002-98 code and can be put to use throughout the emergency responderrs"s career.

Author Biography

Dr. Jeffrey Lindsey is the Fire Chief for Estero Fire Rescue. Additionally, he serves as the education coordinator for 24-7 EMS, and an adjunct instructor for St Petersburg EMS program. He is an experienced leader, educator, lecturer, author, and consultant in emergency services. Dr. Lindsey earned his doctorate and master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from USF. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Fire and Safety Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, and an associate in paramedic from Harrisburg Area Community College. Dr. Lindsey has over twenty-eight years of diverse experience in the emergency services industry. He serves as an Advisory Council member for the National EMS Advisory Council and the State of Florida EMS, representative to the Fire and Emergency Services Higher Education EMS degree committee, and as a Vice-Chairman for the Florida Fire Chief Association EMS Section.

 

Richard Patrick is the Division Chief of Health, Safety & Training for Estero Fire Rescue in Estero, Florida.  He is the past Director of EMS Programs and Emergency Service Initiatives for VFIS, a division of Glatfelter Insurance Group, York, PA, and remains as a consultant to the education, training and consulting division. Rick is a nationally known leader, educator, lecturer, author, speaker and consultant in emergency services.  He is a former Chief of EMS in the City of Lebanon, PA.  Rick is a certified Paramedic/Firefighter and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering Safety with a concentration in Emergency Services, and a Masters Degree in Public Safety Administration from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He is also a small business entrepreneur, involved in local politics, and an alumnus of the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce-Leadership Lebanon Valley program.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Preface	xv
Acknowledgments	xix
Reviewers	xxi
About the Authors	xxiii
Leadership and Management	1	(9)
Introduction	1	(1)
Leadership	2	(3)
Management Culture	5	(1)
Combined Efforts	5	(1)
Driving and Leadership	5	(1)
Leadership and Management's Major Goals for Driving Topics	6	(1)
Observation and Enforcement	7	(1)
Training and Education	7	(1)
Firefighter Life Safety Initiatives	8	(2)
Choosing the Right People	10	(32)
Introduction	10	(2)
Importance of Driver Selection	12	(1)
Human Aspects	12	(10)
Driving Checks	14	(1)
Attitude	14	(1)
Knowledge	15	(1)
Mental Fitness	15	(1)
Personal Appearance and Hygiene	16	(1)
Judgment	17	(1)
Traffic Psychology	17	(1)
Coordination	17	(1)
Physical Condition	17	(1)
Driver Readiness	18	(4)
Acquired Abilities	22	(2)
Driving Characteristics	22	(1)
Motivation	23	(1)
Defensive Driving Goals	24	(2)
Driving Knowledge and Performance	25	(1)
Operator Qualification	25	(1)
Licensing	25	(1)
Participation in Training	26	(1)
Driver Training Courses	26	(1)
VFIS Comprehensive Driver Education Training Program Recommendations	26	(10)
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection	29	(3)
Sacramento Regional Training Facility	32	(1)
Ventura County (California) Fire Department	32	(4)
Vehicle Characteristics	36	(2)
Vehicle Components and Features	37	(1)
Driver Recertification	38	(1)
Personnel Records	38	(4)
Training Records	39	(1)
Suspected Drug and/or Alcohol Abuse	39	(3)
Rules, Regulations, and the Law	42	(17)
Introduction	42	(2)
Changing Legal Climate	44	(1)
Defining the Law	45	(1)
Types of Regulations	45	(1)
Understanding the Regulations	45	(1)
Interpreting the Law	46	(3)
True Emergency Situation	47	(1)
Law of Due Regard	47	(2)
Negligence	49	(1)
Other Legal Liability Issues	49	(1)
Certified Driver's License (CDL)	50	(1)
Specific Motor Vehicle Operator Law	50	(1)
Standards and Position Statements	51	(2)
Key Points of Law	53	(1)
International Perspective and Applicable Guidelines	53	(1)
NIOSH Recommendations/Discussions	53	(6)
Recommendation #1	53	(1)
Recommendation #2	54	(1)
Recommendation #3	54	(1)
Recommendation #4	55	(1)
Recommendation #5	56	(1)
Recommendation #6	56	(3)
Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines	59	(12)
Introduction	59	(2)
Terms	61	(1)
Conducting a Needs Assessment	62	(1)
Formulation Procedure	63	(1)
Periodic Review	64	(1)
Compliance/Enforcement	65	(1)
Adoption of SOP/SOGs	66	(1)
SOP/SOG Subject Areas	66	(3)
Sample SOP/SOG	69	(2)
Emergency Vehicle Characteristics and Driving	71	(28)
Introduction	71	(1)
Emergency Medical, Fire, and Specialty Apparatus	72	(4)
Ambulance Types	72	(1)
Fire Apparatus	72	(4)
Operation	76	(8)
Size	76	(1)
Weight	77	(1)
Weight Restrictions	77	(1)
Visibility	77	(1)
Following Distance	78	(1)
Speed Management	79	(1)
Base Maneuvers	79	(1)
Steering	79	(1)
Braking and Stopping	79	(1)
Backing Up	80	(1)
Lane Changing	81	(1)
Turning	81	(1)
Passing	81	(1)
Negotiating Intersections	82	(1)
Crash Avoidance	83	(1)
Road Construction and Engineering	84	(3)
Road Surfaces	84	(1)
Road Conditions	85	(1)
Roadside Engineering	86	(1)
Driving Skills That Influence the Quality of the Ride	87	(4)
Adverse Effects on Patients When Riding in an Ambulance	87	(1)
Adverse Effects on Passengers When Riding in an Ambulance	87	(1)
How Driving Skills Influence the Quality of the Ride	87	(4)
Precrash Planning	91	(1)
Basic Maneuvers	91	(8)
Braking and Stopping	91	(1)
Making Lane Changes	91	(1)
Passing	92	(1)
Backing Up	92	(1)
Parking	93	(1)
Turning	94	(1)
Urban Driving	94	(1)
Rural Driving	95	(1)
Two-Lane Highway Driving	95	(1)
Highway/Interstate Highway Driving	96	(3)
Operations	99	(33)
Introduction	100	(1)
More Than Just Driving	100	(1)
Route Selection	101	(5)
Procedures	101	(5)
Responses	106	(6)
Emergency Driving	106	(1)
Emergency Signaling Devices	106	(2)
Other Drivers' Responses to Emergency Driving	108	(1)
Response Time	109	(1)
Speed Limits	109	(1)
Controlled Intersection Procedure	110	(2)
Driving Against Traffic	112	(1)
Adverse Conditions	112	(5)
Conditions Affecting Traction	112	(2)
Conditions Affecting Vision	114	(3)
Seat Belts	117	(1)
Restraints	117	(1)
Secure Equipment	117	(1)
Unsafe Behavior	118	(1)
Technology	118	(7)
Preemptive Systems	118	(1)
The Black Box	119	(3)
GIS, AVL, GPS, and Other Technology	122	(3)
Crash Avoidance Techniques	125	(7)
Justification	125	(1)
Techniques	125	(1)
Plan Ahead to Avoid a Crash	125	(1)
Multiple Responding Units/Multiple Agencies	126	(1)
Vehicle Recovery Techniques	127	(5)
Communications	132	(14)
Introduction	132	(1)
Communications Responsibilities	133	(3)
Prior to the Start of the Call	134	(1)
Dispatched on a Response	134	(1)
Incident Arrival	135	(1)
At-Patient on Medical Calls or Other Key Trigger Points	135	(1)
Incident Choreography	135	(1)
Fire Is Under Control or Patient Has Been Extricated	136	(1)
When En Route to Destination	136	(1)
Arrival at Destination	136	(1)
When Available	136	(1)
Personnel	136	(2)
Crew Chief/Officer	136	(1)
Driver/Operator	137	(1)
Dispatcher	137	(1)
Medical Director	138	(1)
Medical Facility	138	(1)
Radio Communications	138	(3)
Radio Frequencies	138	(1)
Headsets	139	(1)
Mobile versus Portable Radios	139	(1)
Radio Etiquette	139	(1)
How to Use the Radio Equipment	140	(1)
Other Communication Devices	141	(1)
Hand Signals	141	(5)
Maintenance	146	(24)
Introduction	146	(3)
Major Mechanical Systems	149	(6)
Engine/Drive Train	149	(1)
Cooling System	150	(1)
Braking System	150	(4)
Electrical System/Auxiliary Power	154	(1)
Environmental Control Systems	155	(1)
Tires	155	(4)
Tread Wear	155	(1)
Traction	155	(1)
Temperature	155	(1)
Tire Pressure and Loading	155	(3)
Balance and Alignment	158	(1)
Rotation	158	(1)
Repair	158	(1)
Support Equipment	159	(1)
Vehicle Inspection	160	(5)
Systematic Inspections	160	(1)
Inspection Methodology	160	(1)
Importance of Maintaining Records	160	(1)
Inspection Schedule	161	(1)
Inspection Types	161	(4)
Negligence Related to Inspection	165	(1)
Refusing to Drive an Unsafe Vehicle	165	(1)
Operator Responsibility for Vehicle Maintenance	165	(5)
Operator Responsibilities for Maintenance	165	(1)
Maintenance Programs	166	(1)
Preventive Maintenance	166	(1)
Performing Maintenance	167	(3)
Roadway Operations	170	(46)
Introduction	170	(2)
Terms	172	(1)
The Challenge	172	(1)
Safety	173	(3)
Command and Control	176	(1)
Personnel Functions	176	(1)
Limited-Access Highway Operations	177	(1)
Ten Cones of Safety	178	(10)
Officer's Safe Parking ``Cue Card''	188	(1)
The Public Yielding to Emergency Vehicles	189	(3)
Case Study	192	(1)
Apparatus Placement	192	(1)
Scene Lighting and Marking	193	(2)
Reflective Vests	195	(1)
Standard Operating Procedures	195	(2)
Effect on Highway Operations	196	(1)
Limitations	197	(1)
Recommendations for Safe Roadway/Highway Operations	197	(5)
Policies	197	(1)
Fleet Management	198	(1)
Safety Programs	198	(1)
Driver Performance	198	(1)
Vehicle Placement	198	(1)
Personnel Awareness	198	(1)
Vehicle Markings	199	(2)
Remain Vigilant	201	(1)
Sample SOP/SOGs	202	(9)
Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Operating Procedures for Highway Incidents Preface	202	(4)
Phoenix Fire Deparment Safe Parking While Operating in or near Vehicle Traffic	206	(5)
NIOSH Recommendations/Discussions	211	(5)
Recommendation #1	211	(1)
Recommendation #2	212	(1)
Recommendation #3	212	(4)
Special Operations	216	(39)
Introduction	216	(1)
Preparing to Drive	216	(2)
Objectives	216	(1)
Case Study	216	(1)
Topic Review	217	(1)
Case Study Recap	217	(1)
Summary	217	(1)
Review Questions	218	(1)
Off-Road Driving	218	(3)
Objectives	218	(1)
Case Study	218	(1)
Topic Review	218	(1)
NIOSH Recommendation/Discussions	219	(1)
Case Study Recap	220	(1)
Summary	220	(1)
Review Questions	221	(1)
Rollover	221	(5)
Objectives	221	(1)
Case Studies	221	(1)
Topic Review	221	(4)
Case Study Recap	225	(1)
Summary	225	(1)
Review Questions	226	(1)
Private Vehicle Use	226	(4)
Objectives	226	(1)
Case Study	227	(1)
Topic Review	227	(3)
Case Study Recap	230	(1)
Summary	230	(1)
Review Questions	230	(1)
Vehicle Security	230	(3)
Objectives	230	(1)
Case Study	230	(1)
Topic Review	231	(2)
Case Study Recap	233	(1)
Summary	233	(1)
Review Questions	233	(1)
Emergency Dispatch	233	(5)
Objectives	233	(1)
Case Study	234	(1)
Topic Review	234	(3)
Case Study Recap	237	(1)
Summary	237	(1)
Review Questions	238	(1)
Collision and Near-Miss Investigation	238	(6)
Objectives	238	(1)
Case Study	238	(1)
Topic Review	238	(4)
Case Study Recap	242	(1)
Summary	243	(1)
Review Questions	244	(1)
Training Program Safety	244	(11)
Objectives	244	(1)
Case Study	244	(1)
Topic Review	244	(2)
NIOSH Recommendations/Discussions	246	(2)
Case Study Recap	248	(4)
Summary	252	(1)
Review Questions	252	(3)
Appendix Answers to Review Questions	255	(10)
Index	265