This chapter of the Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook discusses apparatus safety. It identifies the five main causes of fire apparatus collisions as reckless driving, excessive speed, lack of driving skills, improper backing, and poor vehicle design. The chapter emphasizes the importance of driver readiness and attitude, as well as ensuring the safety of all apparatus riders. When backing, drivers should follow general safety rules including using spotters and backing lights or cameras. The goal is for drivers to have excellent understanding of apparatus capabilities and safety regulations.

1. Aerial Apparatus
Driver/Operator Handbook
2nd Edition
Chapter 2 — Apparatus Safety

2. Learning Objective 1
Describe the five basic causes of fire
apparatus collisions.
2–2
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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4. 2007 Firefighter Fatality
Causes
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5. • Are avoidable
• Situational
awareness
Collisions
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Courtesy of Mike Mallory, Tulsa (OK) Fire Department

6. Collisions
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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
2–8
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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12. • Misunderstanding of apparatus
capabilities
• Lack of knowledge about how to
operate controls during emergency
• Excitement
Lack of Driving Skills
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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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14. Discuss driver readiness and attitude.
Learning Objective 2
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15. • Must be prepared to report to duty
without any compromise of physical or
mental ability
Driver Readiness
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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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18. Discuss apparatus rider safety.
Learning Objective 3
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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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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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22. • No standing on apparatus while in
motion
• Members in hose bed must sit or kneel
Loading Fire Hose
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23. Loading Fire Hose
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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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28. DISCUSSION QUESTION
What makes backing a fire
apparatus so hazardous?
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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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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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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator

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

34. Backup Cameras
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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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36. Backing Straight
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Photo by Pat McAuliff

37. Backing to the Left
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Photo by Pat McAuliff

38. Backing to the Right
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Photo by Pat McAuliff

39. Slowing Down
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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator
Photo by Pat McAuliff

40. Stop
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Photo by Pat McAuliff

41. Pull Forward
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Photo by Pat McAuliff

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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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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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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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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Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator