Apparatus Parking on Freeways

Capt. Dean L. Sylvies SBFD Jan. 2005

Reasons for this change• 1998 - Five firefighters were killed when they were

struck by other motor vehicles. – Two were fire police officers directing traffic

– One was a firefighter crossing a road at a drill

– One firefighter was struck while he worked in the road median

– One firefighter was killed in a chain reaction crash as he worked in the back of an ambulance at an EMS call.

Reasons for this change• 1999 - Four firefighters were killed when they were

struck by other motor vehicles – Two firefighters acting as fire police officers were killed

when they were struck by passing vehicles

– 1 firefighter was struck by a passing vehicle as he filled a fire department tanker

– 1 firefighter was struck by a car that skidded out of control as he worked on the scene of an earlier collision

Reasons for this change• 2000 - Five firefighters were killed when they were

struck by other motor vehicles – 4 firefighters who were struck as they worked at the

scene of vehicle collisions

– 1 firefighter was struck by a non fire department vehicle as he handled a supply line.

Reasons for this change• 2001 - Three firefighters were killed when they

were struck by other motor vehicles – 3 were struck and killed by vehicles as they directed

traffic

Reasons for this change• 2002 - Five firefighters were killed when they were

struck by other motor vehicles – Four firefighters were struck by vehicles at emergency

scenes.

– 1 firefighter was killed as he helped to load hose after a training exercise and was struck by a vehicle that ignored traffic control devices

Reasons for this change• 22 firefighter traffic related deaths in a 5 year span• The roads are not getting any safer• People are not getting any safer (or smarter)• There are more distractions now

– Cell phones

– Video screens

– Sound proofing

– Tinted windows

– 5,000 watt stereo systems

Reasons for this change• We need to look out for each other• We need to create a safe zone for firefighters and

other emergency workers to operate in• We need to learn how to more safely operate in this

hazardous environment

Terminology

• Block – Positioning a fire apparatus on an angle to the lanes of traffic creating a physical barrier between upstream traffic and the work area

• Downstream – The direction that traffic is moving as it travels away from the incident scene

• Shadow – The protected work area that is created by the blocking apparatus

Terminology

• Buffer zone – The distance or space between personnel in the “shadow” and moving traffic

• Taper – The action of merging several lanes of traffic into fewer moving lanes

• Upstream – The direction that traffic is traveling from as the vehicles approach the scene

Policy• Dispatch 2 engines to any automobile fire or traffic

accident on the freeway– Gives capability of covering north and south bound lanes

– Provides additional water source

– Allows 1st engine to pull beyond scene and have 2nd engine block

• 1st or 2nd engine will “Block” with their engine to create a safe working environment

Procedure• Apparatus will “Block” the incident so as to protect

the pump panel• Apparatus will “Block” so as to take the lane or

shoulder where the accident is and one additional adjacent lane

• Crews will work in the “Shadow” of this blocking apparatus

Procedure• Cones or flares will be laid out to adequately warn

“Upstream” traffic.– Cones should be set 15’ apart to 75’ upstream

• Blocking apparatus will use all emergency warning lighting including 4 way flashers

• Consideration may be given to turning off headlights if they are blinding on-coming traffic

Safety• Never trust approaching traffic• Avoid turning your back on traffic• Always wear turn outs including helmet

– This will create the greatest visibility

• Always try to work within “Shadow”

Safety• Personnel arriving in crew cabs should exit and

enter the apparatus from the protected “Shadow” side

• Always look before opening doors and stepping out of apparatus into traffic

• Place flares adjacent to cones to enhance visibility of cones and operational area

Operations• We have 2 different pre-connect deployments

– Crossbeds

– Rear deploy

Operations• Keep this in mind when sizing up and setting up

– Crossbeds

– Rear deploy

Operations• We will look at 8 examples of how to block using

our apparatus. • Remember, when committing crews to extrication, a

minimum 1 ¾” line will be pulled regardless if fire is present or not.

Example 1: Accident or car fire in the #1 (fast lane)

Apparatus with crossbed preconnect blocks right

Engineer and panel are downstream from traffic and protected

#1

#2

#3 Traffic flow

Center divider

Right shoulder

Example 2: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane)

Apparatus with crossbed preconnect blocks right

#2

#3

Center divider

Right shoulder

#1 Traffic flow

Example 3: Accident or car fire in the #1 (fast lane)

Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect blocks right

#1

#2

#3 Traffic flow

Center divider

Right shoulder

Example 4: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane) (option 1)

Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect blocks right

Use extreme caution when pulling hose as crew will be pulling hose off in direction of traffic

#2

#3

Center divider

Right shoulder

#1 Traffic flow

Example 4: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane) (option 2)

Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect blocks right, but this time takes the incident lane and the shoulder. If the shoulder is wide enough, this can be a viable option. It keeps more of the freeway open while still providing, in effect, a 2 lane shadow

#2

#3

Center divider

Right shoulder

#1 Traffic flow

Options• In the event that blocking with the first in apparatus

is not practical due to topography, wind direction, etc:– Pull beyond the incident

– Stabilize scene

– Have 2nd engine continue in and block farther back at a safer distance

#2

#3

Center divider

Right shoulder

#1 Traffic flow

Example 5: Accident or car fire in the #3 (slow lane)

Apparatus with rear deploy preconnect pulls beyond incident

Second in engine responds and blocks Right. This allows 2nd engine to supply water if needed and protect engineer. (diagram not to scale)

Example 6: Accident or car fire in the #1 (fast lane)

Apparatus with crossbed preconnect pulls beyond incident

Second in engine responds and blocks right

#1

#2

#3 Traffic flow

Center divider

Right shoulder

#1

#2 Traffic flow

Center divider

Right shoulder

Example 7: Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 1)

Apparatus will block and park so as to keep a portion of the #1 lane open to allow traffic to pass. Apparatus may take a portion of the additional lane and use center divider (right or left) to allow traffic to pass scene.

When possible, use the shoulder for hose positioning and deployment. This gets crews farther away from traffic flow.

However, care must be taken not to shoot water and/or fire debris into moving traffic lanes.

#1

#2 Traffic flow

Center divider

Right shoulder

Example 7: Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 2)

Same type of blocking done by the apparatus in option 1, but crews are working on the traffic side of the incident.

The safety shadow is not as big in this instance. Crew members must exercise extreme caution when operating in this area!

Example 8 : Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 1)

Apparatus will block and park so as to keep a portion of the #1 lane open to allow traffic to pass. Apparatus may take a portion of the additional lane and use center divider (right or left) to allow traffic to pass scene.

When possible, use the shoulder for hose positioning and deployment. This gets crews farther away from traffic flow.

However, care must be taken not to shoot water and/or fire debris into moving traffic lanes.

#1

#2

Traffic flow

Center divider

Right shoulder

Example 8: Accident on a two lane portion of the highway (option 2)

Same type of blocking done by the apparatus in option 1, but crews are working on the traffic side of the incident.

The safety shadow is not as big in this instance. Crew members must exercise extreme caution when operating in this area!

#1

#2

Traffic flow

Center divider

Right shoulder

Working with other agencies• Care must be exercised to prevent obstructing any

more of the highway than is necessary to protect the incident scene.

• Once active firefighting or extrication operations are concluded and it is SAFE TO DO SO, reposition apparatus to free up adjacent lanes.

• It is important to work with CHP and Caltrans personnel to keep traffic flowing.

Working with other agencies• Establish a liason with CHP as soon as possible to

jointly coordinate a safe work zone and to determine how to most efficiently resolve the incident.

• Caltrans can provide much needed resources on an extended incident.

• Coordinate through CHP for Caltrans assistance

A Santa Barbara City Fire Department Training Program