260 likes | 385 Views
Fog and Smoke Crash Response Dangers. Motorist Dangers. Obscures: Road Surface (ahead) Lane Markings Traffic Queue (stopped vehicles) Crashed Vehicles Crash Debris Emergency Equipment (can’t see) Incident Responders (can’t see). How would you size up this scene in fog or smoke?.
E N D
Motorist Dangers Obscures: • Road Surface (ahead) • Lane Markings • Traffic Queue (stopped vehicles) • Crashed Vehicles • Crash Debris • Emergency Equipment (can’t see) • Incident Responders (can’t see)
Incident Responder Dangers Equipment arrival on scene: • How do you know you are there? • How do you know the scope? • Personnel may have to walk in, followed by apparatus • Drivers follow reflective PPE • Windows down to hear commands (fog), or • Use hand signals (smoke)
Incident Responder Dangers Equipment arrival on scene: • Should all equipment drive in together and drop off as needed? • Drive single file at maximum visible distance to apparatus ahead, or • Drive abreast across traffic lanes • Move apparatus at walking speed
Incident Responder Dangers If you locate vehicle(s) or injured: • Park apparatus behind vehicles/victims a safe distance • Blocking procedures? • Do not exit on traffic side under fog conditions
Incident Responder Dangers Walking (scouting) personnel: • Do you separate personnel? • Should work in teams of two at a minimum • When you locate, do you: • Assist? • Triage? • Continue Searching?
Incident Responder Dangers Walking (scouting) personnel: • How do you communicate where you are? • Paces you have taken from truck • Whistle • Wave flashlight • Make sounds • Pound on a car roof or fender • Turn up radio
Triage • Determine if vehicle is still occupied • Injured – Communicate to CP • Triage injuries • Extrication • Rescue may/may not be possible based on extent of fire/damage • Dead – Communicate to CP • Mark vehicle
Incident Responder Dangers Traffic: • Other traffic approaching can’t see you • Won’t be able to stop • Won’t have time to react • May not apply brakes • Personnel in the clear, upstream from scene(s), should act as spotters and communicate approaching traffic until highway is closed.
Incident Responder Dangers Fire: • Vehicles could be burning, can’t be seen • Radiant heat as you approach • Explosions – Shrapnel • Fuel tanks, LPG tanks • Shocks (or any other compressed cylinder) • Do not park directly behind a vehicle because of fuel tank dangers • If not beginning stages of fire, fire extinguisher may be ineffective
Smoke • Mixed in with other smoke or fog until you walk into it • Toxins from plastics, vinyl, rubber, other petroleum products • Stay upwind from smoke if out of vehicle • If wind shifts, you can move your position, move your vehicle, or retreat to your vehicle and turn off A/C/close vents.
Smoke Respiratory: • Incident Responders other than Fire Rescue may not have breathing apparatus • Anyone exposed to toxic smoke (inhalation) should be checked at hospital.
Vehicle Fluids or Hazardous Materials Spills Contaminants • May walk into it before it is identified • You will be exposed to it before you are aware of it • Decontamination procedures
Communications • Spatial Orientation • Where are you? • Where are other personnel in relation to you? • Where is Command Post? • Triage? • Decon?
Cargo • Look for placards or ask driver if available • Check emergency response guidebook • Can you see cargo (trailer damaged)? • Liquids leaking out of truck? • Solid cargo on ground? • Communicate