Operating Emergency Vehicles

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Operating Emergency Vehicles

• Mississippi Fire Academy
• Certification Division

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Collision Statistics and Causes

• Factors for apparatus collisions
• Failure to wear seatbelts
• Poor road conditions
• Poor vehicle condition
• Failure to obey traffic rules

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Basic causes of Collisions

• Improper backing
• Reckless driving by the public
• Excessive speed
• Lack of driving skills/experience
• Poor design of apparatus

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Problems with the public

• Failure to obey regulations
• Failure to yield
• Excessive speed
• Unpredictable behavior
• Inattentiveness

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Excessive Speeds leads to

• Lost control
• Inability to stop

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Other contributing factors

• Over confidence
• Inability to recognize danger
• False sense of security
• Misunderstanding of vehicle capabilities
• Lack of knowledge of operation

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Mississippi Driving Regulations

• Operators must use safety and control
• Regulations pertain to dry. Clear roads
• Emergency vehicles are not exempt from stopping
  for school buses with flashing lights

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Driver/Operators who do not obey laws may be
subject to civil and criminal prosecution!!!!
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Starting the vehicle

• Disconnect all ground shore lines
• Turn on batteries
• Start engine
• Observe gauges
• Adjust seat, mirror, steering wheel etc..

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Driving the Vehicle
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Cruising

• Operate within power curve and prevent lugging

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Stopping the Apparatus

• Consider the weight, condition of brakes, tires,
  and road surface
• Clutch should not be disengaged until just
  before stopping

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Engine Idling

• Long periods may cause damage

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Engine Shutdown

• Place transmission in park
• Set parking brake
• Allow cool down time
• Shut engine off
• Turn batteries to off position
• Reconnect ground lines if applicable

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Safe Driving Techniques

• Attitude
• Develop proper attitude-Remain Calm
• Consequence of accidents
• Efforts delayed
• Second emergency scene created
• Apparatus property damage
• Legal consequences

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Safe Driving Techniques

• Apparatus Rider Safety
• D/O responsible for all riders
• Everyone seated with seatbelts
• No one standing
• Safety bars and gates in position

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Safe Driving Techniques

• Backing the Vehicle
• Avoid if possible
• Use spotters

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Safe Driving Techniques

• Defensive Driving Techniques
• Anticipate actions
• Visual lead time
• Brake and reaction time
• Combat skids
• Evasive tactics
• Knowledge of weight transfer

• Anticipation Control Factors
• Aim high
• Stay back
• Scan
• Have an out
• Use lights, horn, and signal
• Visual lead time
• Braking/Reaction time

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Factors Influencing Stops

• Condition of the road
• Speed
• Weight of vehicle
• Type and condition of brakes

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Weight Transfer

• Objects in motion
• Excessive weight transfer
• Steering

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Combating Skids

• Common causes of skids
• Driving too fast
• Weight shifts
• Obstacles
• Improper use of auxiliary brakes
• Improper maintenance of tire pressure and
  adequate tread depth

• In case of Skid
• Release brake
• Turn into the skid
• Do not disengage clutch
• Apply power when under control

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Evasive Tactics

• Pass on left
• Use arms to steer
• Using brakes may cause skid
• Maintain speed, accelerate, or decelerate

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Auxiliary Braking Systems
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Passing Other Vehicles

• Always travel in innermost lane
• Avoid passing on the right
• Insure opposing lane is clear
• Avoid passing other emergency vehicles
• Flash high beams when passing

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Adverse weather

• Adjustment factors
• Crown of the road
• Sharpness of curves
• Conditions of road surface

• Driver should
• Decrease speed
• Keep off shoulders
• Avoid sudden turns
• Recognize freezing
• Test brakes
• Maintain good wipers
• Follow safe distances

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Warning Devices

• Air, horns, bells, sirens
• Use different tones
• Be aware of effective range
• At 60 mph, projects only 12 ft max.
• Keep 300-500 feet distance in multiple response
• Use dim lights

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Traffic Control Devices

• Sensors

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Driving Exercises Evaluation Methods

• Written test
• Practical Driving Exercises
• Road test

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Summary

• Speed is not important
• Slow down at intersections
• Drive defensively
• Motorist may not hear you

• Beware of road conditions
• Adverse conditions increase braking time
• Dont grind gears
• Clutch is not a foot rest

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Summary

• Dont exceed 10 mph
• Dont race engine
• Use low gear when starting
• Keep control
• Take nothing for granted