APPARATUS POINTS TO PONDER
The events depicted in these photographs offer a number of points to ponder. We’ll give you a few, in no particular order of importance. Write to us with your own operational considerations of the scenarios depicted, and we’ll publish them in a future issue.
Photos by Willie Cirone.)
Some of the primary causes of emergency vehicle accidents are
- Excessive speed. In the relatively short distances usually traveled in a response, a few seconds saved in arrival time is not worth the risk of not arriving at all. For a distance of one mile, a 50-mph response gains only 48 seconds over a 30mph response. This factor is especially critical in urban and residential areas.
- Failure to accurately evaluate and compensate for road conditions such as steep grades, curves, and turns.
- Disregard of traffic rules or signals. Approaching inter sections and passing stopped traffic are extremely critical operations during a response.
- Too much reliance on warning signals. Lights, sirens, and horns only request the right-of-way—they don’t ensure it. Modern automobiles are heavily insulated to filter out road noise, and many have sound systems as powerful as a home stereo. Operators of emergency vehicles cannot assume that the traffic is aware of their presence.
- Operator attitude. The driver of an emergency vehicle must possess a calm, rational attitude when responding. Civilians are startled when approached by a massive apparatus with numerous audio and visual warning devices in operation. Often, their reaction is the complete opposite of what is anticipated. By driving defensively, an apparatus operator can compensate for the errors or inaction of other drivers.
- Failure to consider the weather. Adjust your driving habits according to the weather conditions. It is obvious that additional caution is necessary when encountering snow or ice. but many drivers underestimate the danger of even a light rainfall or drizzle. During the first few minutes of rain, the oils in the road rise to the surface, substantially increasing stopping distances and the danger of skidding.
- Improper preventive maintenance. Regularly scheduled inspection of tire condition and inflation, steering components. and warning devices, as well as a proper and balanced brake adjustment, can contribute to a vehicle’s safe operation.
Seat belt use should be mandatory and enforced for all personnel riding on the apparatus. Many firefighters are seriously injured or killed when they are ejected from an apparatus that is involved in a traffic accident.
(Photo by Tim Kiett.)
(Photo by Ron Jeffers.)
(Photo by Ron Jeffers.)
Some considerations relative to apparatus placement are offered below.
- When positioning apparatus at a well-involved fire, consider the type of building and its “collapse zone.” The potential collapse zone is minimally equal to the vertical height of the structure and can be much larger, since debris can be expected to be thrown outward beyond the burial point.
- Aerial apparatus can be in particular danger, since the firefighters on the ladder are closer to the building than the apparatus is. Also, it is more time-consuming to remove these members and the apparatus from danger if a collapse is imminent.
- The apparatus operator should be aware of the signs of impending collapse. Cracks, leaning, or bulges in walls; smoke seeping from brick walls; noises or obvious movement of floors, walls, or roofs—all indicate impending collapse and the need to move the apparatus.
- Immediately notify the incident commander as well as the crews staffing the hoselines prior to apparatus shutdown and removal.
- If it is impossible to move the apparatus,, the operator should rapidly move to a safe area if a building collapse is imminent.
- Gas leaks are another situation in which apparatus placement could be critical from both an ignition and explosion/collapse perspective. When encountering a building that is highly charged with natural gas, the apparatus should be withdrawn to a safe area and prepared to flow large quantities of water if ignition occurs.
- Radiant heat from a major fire can cause injury to the operator and do considerable damage to the apparatus. Cooling by use of a small handline can be helpful; however, before conditions become untenable, consider moving the apparatus, if possible. Once again, before a shutdown is considered, the incident commander and hoseline crews must be notified so they, too, are not placed in jeopardy.
If you would like to submit photos for Apparatus, Rescue, or EMS Points to Ponder, send them with a short description of the incident to: Points to Ponder, Fire Engineering, Park 80 West, Plaza 2, 7th Floor, Saddle Brook, NJ 07662.
