Lesson 5

NATIONAL TRAFFIC INCIDENT MANAGEMENT (TIM)

RESPONDER TRAINING PROGRAMLAW ENFORCEMENT | FIRE | EMS | TRANSPORTATION

TOWING & RECOVERY | COMMUNICATIONS

Lesson 5

Lesson 5:Scene Safety

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Lesson 5 Lesson Objectives

At the conclusion of this lesson, participants will be able to:

1. Describe how emergency vehicle markings can improve scene safety

2. Describe recommendations for emergency-vehicle lighting as set forth in the MUTCD

3. Describe high-visibility safety apparel requirements for incident responders

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Lesson 5 Emergency Vehicle Markings

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Lesson 5National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA) Standards

NFPA1901 – Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2009)

NFPA 1917 – Standard for Automotive Ambulances (2013)

• At least 50% of the rear vertical surfaces of the apparatus shall be equipped with 6 inch (minimum) retroreflective striping, alternating yellow and red, in a chevron pattern sloping downward and away from the centerline of the vehicle at an angle of 45°

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Lesson 5National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA) Standards

NFPA1901 – Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus (2009)

NFPA 1917 – Standard for Automotive Ambulances (2013)

• Any door of the apparatus have at least 96 in2 (60 in2 for vertically hinged doors on ambulances)of retroreflective material affixed to the inside of the door

• A 4 inch retroreflective stripe be affixed to at least 50% of the cab and body length on each side and at least 25% of the width of the front of the apparatus

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Lesson 5 Fire Apparatus Vehicle Markings

Photos Courtesy of the City of Oak Creek Fire Department (WI) 5-7

Lesson 5Law Enforcement Vehicle

Markings

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Lesson 5Law Enforcement Vehicle Markings – New Vs. Old

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Lesson 5Safety Service Patrol

Vehicle Markings

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Lesson 5 Emergency-Vehicle Lighting

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Lesson 5MUTCD Section 6I.05 – Use of

Emergency-Vehicle Lighting

• Though essential for safety, use of too many lights at an incident scene can be distracting and can create confusion for approaching road users

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Lesson 5MUTCD Section 6I.05 – Use of

Emergency-Vehicle Lighting

• Too much lighting also makes it difficult to see other responders operating around vehicles

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Lesson 5MUTCD Section 6I.05 – Use of

Emergency-Vehicle Lighting

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Lesson 5MUTCD Section 6I.05 – Use of

Emergency-Vehicle Lighting

• Once good traffic control is established, the MUTCD recommends reducing the amount of emergency-vehicle lighting

– Public safety agencies should examine their policies on the use of emergency-vehicle lighting with the intent of reducing the use of this lighting as much as possible while not endangering those at the scene

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Lesson 5 Student Activity

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Lesson 5 Student Activity

• What impact did forward-facing lights have?

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Lesson 5 Responder Visibility

MUTCD Section 6D.03 states:

All workers, including emergency responders, within the right-of-way of a roadway who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to work vehicles and construction equipment SHALL wear high-visibility safety apparel…

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Lesson 5Driver Reaction and Stopping Distances

At 60 mph:

• Vehicle travels 88 feet/second

• Reaction distance is 132 feet

• Total stopping distance is 359 feet

• Low beam headlights only illuminate160 feet ahead of the vehicle

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Lesson 5 Typical U.S. Crash Scene

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Lesson 5Emergency Responder

High-Visibility Safety Apparel

• Must meet, and be labeled as meeting one of two standards:

– ANSI/ISEA 107, Standard Performance for:• Class II

• Class III

– ANSI/ISEA 207, Public Safety Vests

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Lesson 5 ANSI 107 Class II Safety Vest

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Lesson 5ANSI 107 Class III Safety Vest

– Has Sleeves

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Lesson 5

ANSI 107 Class II Vest ANSI 207 Public Safety Vest

ANSI 107 vs. ANSI 207

Note shorter length to allow access to items on

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Lesson 5 Shortcoming of Wearing No Vest!

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Lesson 5 MUTCD Section 6D.03 Exceptions

• Firefighters or other responders engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials

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Lesson 5 MUTCD Section 6D.03 Exceptions

• Law enforcement when actively engaged in potentially confrontational law enforcement activities (i.e., tactical operations)

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Lesson 5 Need a Vest Policy?

“If your feet are on the street, your vest is on your chest!”

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Lesson 5 End of Service Life

• According to FHWA and the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), high-visibility safety apparel should be replaced when it becomes:

– Not visible at 1,000 feet day or night

– Faded – Soiled

– Torn – Worn

– Dirty – Defaced

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Lesson 5 TIM Timeline

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Lesson 5 Lesson Objectives Review

1. Describe how emergency vehicle markings can improve scene safety

2. Describe recommendations for emergency-vehicle lighting as set forth in the MUTCD

3. Describe high-visibility safety apparel requirements for incident responders

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