Connecticut Fire Academy

1. Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role In Driver Safety Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

2. Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

5. Course Objectives To provide guidance to fire department comp-any and staff officers for developing & maint-aining support for the safe operation of all fire and emergency vehicles and / or any other vehicles operated by the fire department and / or its members while in the performance of their duties Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

6. Including: • Fire apparatus • Rescue vehicles • Ambulances • Command vehicles • Support vehicles • Any other vehicles owned by the dept. • POV’s Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

7. Topics • Basic Driving Policies: • Driver qualifications and training • Skills maintenance • Duties and responsibilities • Risk Management • General traffic laws • Reporting safety problems & violations Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

8. Topics • Emergency Response Policies: • Authorized emergency response • Special driver qualifications • Applicable traffic laws • Fire Department driving policies • Use of warning devices • Member behavior while riding apparatus Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

9. Topics • Liability Issues: • Negligent hiring • Negligent retention • Lack of training • Improper training Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

10. Topics • Vehicle Accident Reporting & Investigation: • Accident scene procedures • Accident Investigation • Report preparation & publication Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

11. Abstract Collision incidents involving the operation of all types of fire apparatus continue to rise each year. Such incidents continue to be a leading cause of firefighter deaths and injuries throughout the country.

12. The second leading cause of death and injury for Fire personnel is blunt force trauma due to vehicle crashes

13. The leading cause of death and injury for EMS personnel is blunt force trauma due to vehicle crashes

14. Myths v. Facts Myth #1: emergency vehicle accidents occur in bad weather with poor visibility Fact #1: The majority of emergency vehicle accidents occur on clear days with good visibility

15. Myths v. Facts Myth #2: Most emergency vehicle accidents occur on dark roads or at dusk when the driver has diffi-culty seeing other vehicles. Fact #2: The majority of emergency vehicle acci-dents occur in daylight.

16. Myths v. Facts Myth #3: Most emergency vehicle accidents occur when trying to pass a vehicle that refuses to yield to the right of the road. Fact #3: The majority of emergency vehicle accidents occur when making turns or when broadsided at an intersection.

17. Myths v. Facts Myth #4: Most emergency vehicle accidents occur on wet or snowy roads. Fact #4: The majority of emergency vehicle accidents occur on dry roads.

18. Myths v. Facts Myth #5: Most emergency vehicle accidents occur while backing the vehicle into a tight spot. Fact #5: As in Fact #3, the majority of emergency vehicle accidents occur on the roadway in an intersection.

19. Myths v. Facts Myth #6: Because emergency vehicles have lights and sirens, the traffic signal device does not present the emergency vehicle driver with a major hazard. Fact #6: Locations where traffic signaling devices exist present the greatest risk for an emergency vehicle accident to occur.

20. Where is the problem? So if the weather, time of day, the other drivers, location of crashes and all the things we mentioned are myths, then where is the problem? Keep this question in mind as we go forward in this presentation

21. Abstract In 2007 115 firefighters were killed in the Line of Duty. There were 26 vehicle collisions and 3 “struck by” incidents that took the lives of 29 firefighters.

22. USFA Releases Provisional 2007 Firefighter Fatality Statistics Speed and a lack of seat belts contributed to many deaths as well. More than 2 of every 10 firefighter fatalities in 2007 occurred when responding to or returning from an incident. While seat belts and speed were not necessarily factors in all of these fatalities, they were contributing factors for most of them.

23. Abstract All told, 22.6% of the firefighters killed in the line of duty last year were killed in vehicle crashes or traffic related incidents Apparatus crashes or other traffic related incidents continue to be the second leading cause of death for firefighters

24. Abstract • Of the 29 firefighters were killed in traffic related incidents: • 24 Were killed while responding • 2 were killed while returning • 3 Were killed in other traffic related incidents such as “struck by” a vehicle

25. Abstract 2008 is no better than last year In fact, it is worse: To the end of January 2008 30% of the firefighters deaths in this country are from vehicle or traffic related incidents. Whereas only 10% of the deaths so far have been during active fireground activities

26. Abstract Our first firefighter fatality of 2008 occurred on New Year’s Day when a volunteer Firefighter from North Carolina was killed in a crash while responding to a fire

27. Abstract

28. Abstract

29. Abstract He was heading north on Old Concord Road when he took a curve too fast about 3 miles south of China Grove, said N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper C.F. Rogers. He lost control of his pickup, overturned and was thrown from the truck. He wasn't wearing a seatbelt. Rogers estimated that Arthur was going at least 75 miles per hour. The speed limit is 55, and a sign recommends 40 for the curve. Cold Water Fire Chief James Preddy Jr. said police give volunteer firefighters leeway when they turn their emergency lights on, but they're not allowed to speed. This young man died in his own fatal car crash while responding to a car crash!

30. Abstract We continue to kill our selves in vehicle crashes!

31. Abstract The fire service community needs to take a more active roll in understanding the causes of such incidents. Such as:

32. It wasn’t the driver that was killed in this crash The officer was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected and thrown into a bridge abutment

34. Chief Officers are not exempt from disaster either

35. This is a single vehicle EMS crash caused by loss of control due to excessive speed The driver survived but his partner and the patient were both killed

36. In this case from Arkansas the patient in the emergency vehicle was the victim of a gunshot wound to the chest. The patient died due to the delay in getting him to the hospital because of this crash.

37. Connecticut Fire Academy Basic EVOC

38. How do you get run over by your own fire truck? Connecticut Fire Academy Basic EVOC

39. Long Island Firefighter Crushed to Death How do you crushed to death by your own fire truck?

40. Fire Captain Crushed Between Apparatus How do you crushed by your own fire truck in your own firehouse?

41. The score in this crash: Freight Train: 1 Fire Department: 0

42. Take A Good Look At This Picture You can’t make this stuff up. We do it to ourselves all the time!!!!

43. Hurry up, we can beat the other company to the box! Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

44. Hurry up, we can beat the other company to the box! Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

45. Hurry up, we can beat the other company to the box! Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

46. Hurry up, we can beat the other company to the box! Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

47. Failed to stop at a controlled intersection Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

48. And killed a bus driver Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

49. Who’s fault is this disaster? Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety

50. Waterbury, May 2007 And what about this one? Connecticut Fire Academy Officer’s Role in Driver Safety