Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Handbook
P-025 Response to accidents involving hrfes vehicles
Date of Issue: 2009/07/07
PURPOSE:
To establish a protocol for response to accidents involving Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) vehicles.
OBJECTIVE:
To ensure the correct response by career and volunteer members at accidents involving HRFE vehicles.
SCOPE:
This policy applies to career and volunteer members.
POLICY:
If the involved unit was responding to an emergency at the time of the accident, Dispatch shall;
(1) On multiple unit responses, notify the remaining units responding of the accident and confirm if they wish a replacement unit dispatched; upgrade response as necessary.
(2) On single unit responses, dispatch a replacement unit to the initial call.
In either situation, they shall also dispatch a unit to the MVA, and shall relieve the officer of the unit involved in the accident of “Command” upon arrival. The Officer of the vehicle involved in the accident may provide additional information to the responding unit(s), but may not cancel the response. Response may be “Code 1" or “Code 3" based on the judgement of the officer on the responding unit, based on information received.
In the event that a vehicle registered to Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency is involved in an accident, Dispatch is to be notified of a vehicular accident, with the location of the accident, as well as any injuries.
Dispatch will handle this call as they would any other vehicle accident, and will respond the appropriate agencies (Police, Fire, and/or Ambulance, dependent upon the severity of the accident).
Fire Service members involved in the accident shall render assistance to injured persons to the extent possible, prior to the arrival of other responders.
Officers who assume command of emergency incidents involving members of the Fire Service are to treat the members involved in the accident as accident victims. It is important to ensure that they receive appropriate medical attention, based on the extent of injury, and watch for signs of shock.
Members involved in an accident should be relieved from the scene as soon as is reasonably possible after the arrival of the responding unit. The Incident Commander, District Chief /Fire Chief (or designate) shall notify the CIS Team of any serious injury or fatality accident.
RELATED POLICIES/ OPERATING GUIDELINES:
• P-012 Accident Reporting (for procedures in reporting the accident and completing the appropriate form(s).)
• P-007 Use of Regional Vehicles
• P-304 Assessment of Vehicle Operation
POLICY REVIEW:
This policy shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendment made to the response to accidents involving HRFE vehicles.