P-603 Emergency operation of Vehicles

Issued By: SAFETY (D. Meldrum)     
Approved By: Fire Chief William H. Mosher 
Date of Issue: 1999/02/01
Revision Date: 2010/07/08

PURPOSE: 

This policy defines the required practices for safe operation of Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency (HRFE) emergency vehicles, utility vehicles and support vehicles when responding to emergencies. This policy also defines the required practices for safe operation of privately owned motor vehicles used by members when responding to a fire station or an emergency scene.

OBJECTIVE:

To ensure safe operation of HRFE emergency vehicles as well as privately owned vehicles when responding to emergencies. 

SCOPE:

This policy applies to career and volunteer fire fighters of HRFE.

POLICY: 

All vehicles must be operated safely. During an emergency response, the safe arrival of fire apparatus to the incident scene is the first priority. This policy applies to all members.

DEFINITIONS:

•    “CEVO” stands for Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator and is a safe driving course delivered by the HRFE Training Division.

•    “Code 1" is an emergency response mode where all emergency warning lights and the audible warning (siren) are activated. These lights and sirens are a means to request the public to yield the right of way to the emergency vehicle.


•    “Code 3" is an emergency response mode where the emergency warning lights and the siren are not activated. The public is not requested to yield the right of way, and the emergency vehicle moves along with the regular flow of traffic. 

•    “Opticom” is a traffic pre-emption device mounted on some fire apparatus. When activated, the Opticom emitter on the apparatus broadcasts a visible light and invisible infrared signal to a receiver at an equipped intersection. Receipt of an Opticom signal will cause the traffic lights at the intersection to cycle to green to favour the direction from which the signal is received.

Responsibility

Fire department vehicles shall be operated in compliance with all applicable traffic laws, including special provisions pertaining to emergency vehicles, as well as specific rules, regulations and procedures adopted by HRFE.

Drivers of fire apparatus shall be directly responsible for the safe and prudent operation of the vehicle under all conditions.

When the driver is under the direct supervision of an officer, that officer shall also assume responsibility for the driver’s actions.

Pre-departure Actions When Responding to an Emergency

Upon receipt of an alarm before boarding the apparatus, members must quickly check all sides of the vehicle (360 degree check) to determine there are no visible hazards such as compartment doors left open, battery chargers left connected, etc.

All crew must don the appropriate personal protective equipment for the call before the vehicle moves. Crew members must maintain three points of contact while getting into and off of vehicles.

All personnel must be seated, with seat belts fastened before the vehicle moves. All personnel must keep their seat belts fastened at all times when the vehicle is in motion.

“Code 1" and “Code 3" Response Modes

A dispatch report of a “confirmed structure fire” is cause for all responding apparatus to respond “Code 1".

Other responses, such as fire alarms or grass fires are usually cause for the first due apparatus to respond “Code 1", with following apparatus responding “Code 3" unless otherwise requested.

The first due officer, or initial Incident Commander, may direct other responding apparatus to upgrade or downgrade their response mode. Information gathered en route and on arrival may be used to decide if a change in response mode is warranted. Responding in the “Code 1" mode should be avoided when it is not necessary.

The initial Incident Commander may upgrade, downgrade or cancel the response of responding apparatus. Upon arrival the officer shall establish command, assess the situation and as soon as possible communicate information to dispatch in accordance with operating guidelines.

The responding apparatus will at this time, on the orders of the Incident Commander either:

1.    Continue on to call “Code 3",
2.    Continue on to call “Code 1", or
3.    Cancel their response & return to quarters.

“Code 1" Responses Safe Response

Effective January 1, 2011, any driver who will respond in the “Code 1" mode must have successfully completed CEVO training.

Drivers must turn on all headlights, Opticom emitters, and all emergency warning lights before beginning any “Code 1" response. Drivers must sound the siren at all times when the vehicle is moving during “Code 1" response.

Drivers must not exceed the posted speed limit.

Drivers must bring the apparatus to a complete stop under any of the following circumstances:

1.    When directed by a law enforcement officer;
2.    At red traffic lights;
3.    At stop signs;
4.    At negative right of way intersections;
5.    At blind intersections;
6.    When the driver cannot account for all lanes of traffic in an intersection;
7.    When other intersection hazards are present;
8.    When encountering a school bus with flashing warning lights;
9.    At all railway crossings.

Drivers shall proceed through intersections only when the driver can account for all lanes of traffic in the intersection.
Drivers shall approach Opticom controlled intersections with caution. Drivers must act under the assumption that the traffic pre-emption device may not cycle the light until after the apparatus has reached the intersection, or in some rare cases not at all. Drivers must stop at red lights displayed at Opticom controlled intersections.

Drivers may proceed the wrong way down a one-way street only when directed by a police officer, or if the street access is properly blocked off. Fire Department vehicles shall not pass other moving Fire Department vehicles.

“Code 3" Responses Safe Response

Drivers must proceed along with the regular flow of traffic and follow all the rules of the road. All the requirements of the NS Motor Vehicle Act and the HRFE vehicle policies apply.

On Scene Placement of Apparatus

Upon arrival, drivers must place their apparatus in a safe position as ordered by the Incident Commander. Crews must follow the procedures in the HRFE Code of Practice for “Emergency Traffic Management” if any apparatus or crew will operate on a public roadway.

Responding in Unmarked or Privately Owned Vehicles

Any volunteer firefighter or other member who responds to the fire station or an emergency scene in an unmarked or privately owned vehicle must comply with this policy. Drivers of unmarked or privately owned vehicles must not exceed the posted speed limit and must obey all traffic controls signs and signals. Drivers who arrive at an emergency scene in an unmarked or privately owned vehicle must park in a safe location which is not an obstruction to public traffic or emergency vehicles.

Only the Chief or Deputy Chief of a Volunteer Fire Station may use audible and visual warning devices (red light and siren) on their personal vehicles. The installation of these warning devices must be completed by or approved by HRM Emergency Fleet Services. When a Volunteer Chief or Deputy Chief responds to an emergency with their personal vehicle, and are using emergency equipment, they may respond within their District only. They must comply with the requirements for a “Code 1" response as listed in this policy.

RELATED POLICIES/ OPERATING GUIDELINES:

•    P-007 Use of Regional Vehicles


POLICY REVIEW:

This policy shall be reviewed when/if there are changes/amendments to the use of HRFE and privately owned vehicles when responding to emergencies.