2. Learning Objective 1
Describe the five basic causes of fire
apparatus collisions.
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
3. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What percentage of all firefighter
injuries and deaths in the U.S. are
caused by vehicle collisions while
responding to or returning from
emergency calls?
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
7. • Accounts for significant portion of
overall damage costs
• Can occur in a variety of locations
Improper Backing
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8. • Failure to obey posted traffic
regulations or directions
• Failure to yield to emergency vehicles
• Excessive speed
• Panic reaction to an approaching
emergency vehicle
• Inattentiveness
Reckless Driving —
Common Problems
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
9. • Lead to occurrence of one of two types
of collisions
– Control lost on curve or adverse road
surface
– Unable to stop apparatus in time to avoid
collision with another vehicle or object
Excessive Speed
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
10. • Fire apparatus
– Do not handle same or stop as fast as
privately owned vehicles
– Greater distance to stop
– Lag before air brakes activate
– Subject to brake fade
Excessive Speed
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
11. • Overconfidence in one’s driving ability
• Inability to recognize a dangerous
situation
• False sense of security
Lack of Driving Skills
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
12. • Misunderstanding of apparatus
capabilities
• Lack of knowledge about how to
operate controls during emergency
• Excitement
Lack of Driving Skills
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
13. • Not as serious with vehicles built by a
fire apparatus manufacturer
• Significant problem with “homebuilt”
vehicles constructed by members of the
department
Poor Vehicle Design
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
15. • Must be prepared to report to duty
without any compromise of physical or
mental ability
Driver Readiness
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
16. • Substance abuse
• Personal issues
• Death in the family
• Illness
• Impending hardship
• Depression due to any of the above
Signs of Incompetence
or Impairment
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
17. • Collisions involving fire apparatus occur
daily
• Driver/operator does not “own” the road
during emergency driving
• Cannot be found liable, responsible, or
at fault if he or she simply drives “right”
• Driving “right” is obeying the traffic laws
Before Shift Information
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
19. • Must always ensure
safety of all personnel
riding on apparatus
Apparatus Rider Safety
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
Photo by Ted Boothroyd
20. • Riders must be seated within cab or
body and wearing seat belts before
apparatus is put into motion
– Exception — Loading fire hose while
driving apparatus
Apparatus Rider Safety
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
21. Loading Fire Hose
• Procedures must be contained in
Department SOPs
• Must have a safety observer
• Area must be closed to other traffic
• Apparatus driven forward and slow
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
22. • No standing on apparatus while in
motion
• Members in hose bed must sit or kneel
Loading Fire Hose
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
24. • Can be problematic; does not include
room for instructor in tiller enclosure
• NFPA®
1500 allows for detachable seat
• Instructor and tiller operator must be
wearing helmet and eye protection if not
inside enclosure
Tiller Training
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25. • Found on older apparatus
• Not totally enclosed
• May include safety bars and gates; not
substitutes for safety procedures
Jump Seats
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26. Describe requirements for safely
backing a fire apparatus.
Learning Objective 4
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27. • Account for one quarter of all collisions
• Account for approximately 500 civilian
deaths and 1,500 injuries annually
Backing of Vehicles
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29. • Do not position apparatus into a space
where backing up will be necessary.
• Walk all the way around apparatus to
clear obstructions and observe hazards
before backing.
• Use one or more spotters whenever
necessary.
General Safety Rules
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
30. • Activate emergency lights during any
backing procedure.
• Pre-position white backup lights to light
area where spotter will stand (8 to 10
feet [2.5 m to 3 m] in back of
apparatus).
General Safety Rules
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
31. • Use common hand signals that all
firefighters understand.
General Safety Rules
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
Photo by Pat McAuliff
Photo by Pat McAuliff
32. • Use portable radios when possible.
• Use backup cameras if available.
• Sound a short blast on air horn
immediately before moving apparatus.
General Safety Rules
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33. • Exist on some fire apparatus
• Fixed on central location behind
apparatus
• May provide driver/operator view of
area behind apparatus
Backup Cameras
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
35. • Effective way to communicate with
driver/operator from rear of apparatus
• Spotters
– Must be significant number
– Positioned in vision of driver/operator
– Responsible for guiding and directing
apparatus
• Six main signals
Hand Signals
(Continued)
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42. Back apparatus using mirrors.
Objective 5 is measured in Skill Sheet 2-1.
Learning Objective 5
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43. Summary
• Driver/operators must understand all
the rules and regulations regarding
vehicle safety in their jurisdictions.
• In addition, they should have an
excellent understanding of their
apparatus’ capabilities and systems.
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
44. • Driver/operators should arrive at work
with a positive attitude with no physical
or mental problems that could
compromise their skills.
Summary
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
45. Review Questions
1. What are some examples of
gross negligence?
2. What are the five general
causes of fire apparatus collisions?
3. How does poor vehicle design
contribute to the likelihood of fire
apparatus collisions?
(Continued)
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
46. Review Questions
4. What are some signs of
driver/operator incompetence or
impairment?
5. What are the exceptions
regarding the seated and belted
requirements?
(Continued)
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