Drill of the Week: Roadway Operational Safety
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In recent years, the fire service has experienced an increase in line of duty deaths while operating at the scene of motor vehicle accidents. In 2004 alone, five firefighters were killed when they were struck by passing vehicles at the scene of an emergency. Today, we must not only drive defensively to anticipate the actions of those with whom we share the road during a response, but must also take a defensive posture during emergency operations on roadways, remaining vigilant to ensure our own safety in addition to the safety of patients. Every effort must be taken by the officer and crew to position effectively for operational safety.
Hands-on training for these incidents is difficult since responders cannot just stop traffic to simulate an accident. Departments should, however use their standard operating guidelines (SOGs) to discuss different scenarios. Such scenarios are easy with this week’s drill. Use the diagrams here to generate tabletop exercises, overhead projector exercises, or pass out to individual members to discuss the appropriate positioning for apparatus at specific operational scenes.
As you conduct the drill, keep the following operational considerations in mind:MUL>
For more safety considerations at highway incidents, visit Operating Safety At Highway Incidents.
For a diagram and discussion questions, click here for the complete drill.
