BY MICHAEL P. DALLESSANDRO
Those of us who work in emergency services or who train and evaluate fire department drivers follow news stories that highlight apparatus accidents that occur when responding to and returning from alarms. One recent accident that caught my attention was when Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Ladder 123 collided with several civilian cars while responding to an incident. Fortunately, the FDNY incident was not as serious as it could have been, but these types of incidents have caused me to check and double-check our department’s accident prevention policies and training procedures.
Although a horrific crash is a real possibility for any emergency service operation, I have also started to take note of a growing frequency of near-miss incidents and of minor scrapes, dents, fender benders, and broken mirrors. Some say that these are the battle scars that come from miles of emergency driving; tight parking spaces; and, in certain parts of the country, reduced lane clearance from ever-growing snow piles. But more cautious people in professional driving circles are quick to say that these minor incidents are an urgent notice that a much larger accident or incident could be just around the corner. Dents, scrapes, and broken mirrors are signs that drivers are in a hurry or are failing to check and double-check the area around their vehicles. If you notice this concern with your apparatus and chauffeurs, here are a few training points to use at your firehouse or training academy.
FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND: DRIVING
One of the areas most driver trainers have concerns about is that chauffeurs are not truly focusing on their driving. There are many potential distractions, especially when responding or backing into the station. In about three-quarters of incidents where there was vehicle damage, drivers were found to be inattentive to the road and traffic within three seconds of the incident. One of the most common statements you hear when speaking with drivers following an incident is “I never saw it.” Ultimately, if you are not looking out for hazards, you will not see one until you run into it. Pay attention to your driving at all times. Do not worry about other information; business; or, even worse, talking to firefighters seated in the rear of the vehicle, drawing your attention to the rear. Drivers often let their guard down as they return to the firehouse because, in their mind, the run has been a success and it is time to relax or go home. Don’t revel in your success until the rig is parked and you have done your post-trip check to make sure the rig is ready for the next response.
PREPARE FOR THE UNEXPECTED
Many emergency vehicle drivers have never had to make an unexpected correction or sudden emergency stop. Chauffeurs will not rise to the occasion simply because they have years of emergency driving experience. If they have not prepared for accident avoidance or emergency stopping, they will simply default to their skill level in this area, which could be poor. Drivers must have a clear understanding of the type of vehicle they are driving and how it handles and stops. Your fire apparatus driver training program must include instruction on the braking systems in your apparatus, either traditional or ABS, and training in system use. Drivers must test brake their vehicle for emergency stops; they should step firmly on the brakes in a safe area or a vacant big box store parking lot at about 20 mph to feel exactly how the rig behaves in an emergency stop. This won’t hurt the rig and could prevent hurting someone with your apparatus.
OPEN YOUR EYES
Getting the big picture remains an issue for drivers of any type of fire apparatus. Drivers do not scan the area left and right and near and far around their rigs often enough. By simply looking around your vehicle, you can reduce your chances of an accident. A good test for apparatus drivers is to look straight out of the windshield of the rig and imagine a line similar to that in a pair of older-style bifocal glasses in the windshield. As drivers operate their vehicles, they should pay close attention to the amount of time they look over the imaginary line on the windshield and the amount of time they look below it. If they are looking below the imaginary line more than they are looking above it, they may not be scanning far enough ahead and often enough. For driver training purposes, you can use a dry erase marker to make a small line on the windshield to point out this observation skill (you can remove it easily when done training). If you have any input into the maintenance of your apparatus, it is also important to make sure heaters and defrosters work properly. Large or older fire apparatus, especially those parked inside heated bays that suddenly exit the garage into colder environments, can fog up suddenly. You cannot expect apparatus drivers to wipe the windshield with a rag while responding; be sure your vehicles have quality wipers and that rain-shedding products are available for regular application to windshields. Along the line of visibility, chauffeurs should be alert to problems from other motorists. Beware of out-of-state plates on cars; these vehicles may have different vehicle and traffic laws when dealing with emergency vehicles. They may also be lost and make unexpected stops and turns that could involve your vehicle in a fender bender.
AVOID THE GADGETS
We all know that drinking then driving is completely unacceptable, especially for drivers of emergency vehicles. We are also aware of how impaired our actions can become even if we have consumed just a few drinks. Why then would we do things while driving that would cause our bodies to mimic behaviors as if we had been drinking? Our emergency vehicles are equipped with many switches, gauges, lights, multiple sirens, air horns with pull cords, technology items, and multiple two-way radios. Whenever you operate switches, alternate siren patterns, or reach for two-way radio microphones to broadcast sometimes unnecessary dialogue, you divert attention from the road. By taking your eyes off the road only partially, your vehicle can sway or drift from side to side, run over something, hit another vehicle, or clip a mirror. Take your attention off the road only for a split second to operate a vital accessory. To simply grab the mic and say “See you back at the house” or “Supper’s on” is a needless, risky communication.
AVOID BACKING
Emergency vehicle drivers spend hours in “drive” and only 60 seconds or so at a time in “reverse,” but the number of accidents we have while backing for the amount of time we practice backing is far out of proportion. Although injuries are few, they are more often tragic, such as backing over a child. Chauffeurs should anticipate their exit from any area and plan placement of their rigs to reduce backing. The driver or spotters should always walk around the vehicle prior to backing and limit the backing distance to the shortest distance possible. If you have the opportunity to build a new station, spec drive-through bays for the apparatus.
An ounce of prevention can help reduce your driver’s exposure to the risks of inattention, backing, and the lack of understanding and preparation for unexpected situations. Spend some time discussing these items at an upcoming safety meeting, or add them to a department memo. Small incidents are indicators of larger incidents to come if you do not remind your drivers to think about their job.
MICHAEL P. DALLESSANDRO is a 24-year volunteer firefighter and chairman of the Grand Island (NY) Fire Company board of directors. He has taught at FDIC and is a trainer for the fire service, the public transportation industry, and certified commercial vehicle drivers.
