This document provides an overview of traffic safety training for firefighters. It discusses Maine laws regarding public safety traffic flaggers, the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, liability exposures, and terminology related to traffic control zones. It also provides benchmarks and best practices for apparatus positioning, incident command responsibilities, crew safety, and use of traffic control devices. The training emphasizes establishing a protected work zone, proper use of signs, cones and other devices, and wearing high-visibility safety clothing when working near traffic.

1. At Scene
TRAFFIC SAFETY

2. Special Thanks
 Freeport Fire Department
 Maine Dept. of Transportation
 Maine Municipal Association
 Presque Isle Fire Department

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5. Overview
 The training also identifies parking
practices for
 Fire Rescue Apparatus
 Emergency Vehicles
 Provide maximum protection and safety
for personnel operating in or near
moving vehicle traffic.
 Practices to keep personnel safe

6. Objectives
 Maine Law
 MUTCD
 Liability
 Duration of Incidents
 Parts of a traffic control zone
 Proper devices
 Firefighter “Do’s and Don'ts

7. “Public Safety Traffic Flagger”
 “A municipal firefighter, a volunteer
firefighter, or a member of an
emergency medical service licensed by
the Dept. of Public Safety, MEMS who is
trained in accordance with subsection 2
and authorized by the chief official of
the fire department or emergency
medical service to control vehicular
traffic”

8. “Subsection 2--- training”
 “all PSTF’s must receive training
approved by the Dept. of Labor, Bureau
of Labor Standards in controlling traffic
on public ways. Training may consist of
video instruction, instruction in a
classroom, distribution of informational
handbooks, or other educational
materials or other training materials.”

9. “Subsection 3--- authority”
 “….. a PSTF shall wear a reflective traffic
vest or protective clothing as defined in
26 MRSA § 2103(3), and has the
authority to control vehicular traffic on a
public way at or to reroute vehicular
traffic around a public safety
emergency, accident, fire……., unless
otherwise directed by a law
enforcement officer.”

10. Subsection 4
“obeying the flagger”
 “….. an operator of a motor vehicle on a
public way shall obey a request or
signal of a person who is reasonable
identifiable as a PSTF. A violation…… is
a traffic violation.”

11. Manual on Uniform Traffic
Control Devices (MUTCD)
 NOT State law….but it is the national
standard for all traffic control
 Federal law 23 CFR 655.603 adopts the
MUTCD as “the national standard for all
traffic control devices installed on any
street, highway, or bicycle trail open to
public travel.”
 The MUTCD “describes the application of
traffic control devices, but shall not be a
legal requirement for their installation.”

12. Intermediate Traffic Incidents
 Expected duration of 30 minutes to
2 hours.
 Diverting traffic past the blockage.
 Using a Detour for a short duration.
 Be aware of your visibility to oncoming
traffic

13. “Minor” Traffic Incidents
 Expected duration under 30 minutes
 Typically disabled vehicles and “fender
benders”
 Diversion of traffic to other lanes is not
needed or only needed briefly.
 If blocking a lane, move it to the
shoulder as quickly as possible

14. Responder Safety Considerations
 Training– all responders directing traffic
shall be trained.
 Worker Clothing – Responders exposed
to the risks of moving traffic shall wear
hi-visibility safety apparel meeting ANSI
107-1999.
 Temp. traffic barriers – depends on
type and length of the emergency, traffic
volume & speed, time of day, type of
road……
 Speed reduction – Emergency
Responders, lane restrictions, etc.

15. Liability Exposures
 In addition to providing protection
and safety for emergency personnel
other considerations are:
 Through our actions, not causing or
contributing to:
 Injury to the public
 Damage to other vehicles
 Damage to property

16. Terminology
 Advance Warning  Shadow
 Block  Taper
 Buffer Zone  Temporary Work
 Downstream Zone
 Flagger  Transition Zone
 Upstream

17. Lateral Buffer Space
ADVANCE WARNING AREA –
tells traffic what to expect ahead
(signs, flaggers, etc.)
TRANSITION AREA – moves
traffic out of its normal path
BUFFER SPACE – provides
protection for traffic & workers
Activity
Area WORK AREA – set aside for
workers, equipment and
materials
TERMINATION AREA – allows
traffic to resume normal driving

18. Advance Warning
 Notification
procedures that
advises approaching
motorist to transition
from normal driving
status to that required
by the temporary
emergency traffic
control measures
ahead.

19. Block
 Positioning Fire
Rescue on an angle to
the lanes of traffic
creating a physical
barrier between
upstream traffic and
the work area.
 Includes
 Block to the Left
 Block to the Right

20. Block
 To the Left

21. Buffer Zone
 The distance or space
between personnel
and vehicles in the
protected work zone
and nearby moving
traffic
 Turn your wheels so
that a vehicle hitting
from behind will not
send your vehicle into
the work area.

22. Downstream
 The direction that
traffic is moving as
it travels away
from the incident
scene.

23. Flagger
 A Fire Rescue
member assigned
to monitor
approaching traffic
and activate an
emergency signal
if the actions of a
motorist do not
conform to traffic
control measures

24. Shadow
 Protected area at a
vehicle related
roadway incident
that is shielded by
the block from
apparatus

25. Taper
 Action of merging
several lanes of
moving traffic to
fewer lanes of
moving traffic

26. Temporary Work Zone
 The area of
roadway within
which emergency
perform their Fire/
EMS tasks at a
vehicle related
incident.

27. Transition Zone
 Lanes of a
roadway within
which approaching
motorist change
their speed and
position to comply
with traffic control
measures at an
incident scene

28. Upstream
 The direction that
traffic is traveling
from as the
vehicles approach
the incident scene.

29. Apparatus & Emergency Vehicle
Benchmarks
 Always position first arriving apparatus to
protect scene, patients and emergency
personnel.
 Positioning of fire apparatus must create
a safe parking area for EMS units.

30. Apparatus & Emergency Vehicle
Benchmarks
 When blocking with apparatus to protect
the scene, establish a sufficient size work
zone that includes (Shadow)
 Damaged vehicles
 Roadway debris
 Patient triage and treatment area
 Operating personnel, equipment and
patients

31. Apparatus & Emergency Vehicle
Benchmarks
 Ambulances should be positioned within
the protected work area with their rear
patient loading door area angled away
from the nearest lanes of moving traffic
 Command shall stage unneeded
emergency vehicles off the roadway or in
a staging area

32. Apparatus & Emergency Vehicle
Benchmarks
 At all intersections or where the incident
may be near the middle of the roadway,
two or more sides of the incident may
need to be protected.

33. Apparatus & Emergency Vehicle
Benchmarks
 Where a charged hoseline may be
needed, block so the the pump
panel is “downstream” to protect
the pump operator

34. Apparatus & Emergency Vehicle
Benchmarks
 Traffic cones shall be deployed from the
rear of the blocking apparatus toward
approaching traffic
 Personnel shall place and retrieve cones while
facing oncoming traffic
 Cones shall be deployed at 15-foot intervals
upstream of the blocking apparatus

35. Apparatus & Emergency Vehicle
Benchmarks
 Emergency Scene Ahead signs shall
be deployed at all roadway
incidents, prior to the furthest cone.

36. Incident Command Benchmarks
 The initial-arriving officer or
member, and or Incident
Commander must complete critical
benchmarks to assure that a safe
and protected work environment for
emergency scene personnel is
established.

37. Incident Command Benchmarks
 Assure that the first arriving apparatus
establishes an initial block
 Assign parking location for all
ambulances.
 Lanes shall be identified numerically as
Breakdown, Lane 1, Lane 2.
 Typically, vehicles travel a lower speed
in the lower number lanes

38. Incident Command Benchmarks
 Assign parking location for all
ambulances.
 Directions “Right & Left” shall be as
identified as from the approaching
motorist point of view
 Instruct ambulance to block to the left
or right to protect rear patient loading
area.

39. Incident Command Benchmarks
 Assure that all ambulances on scene are
placed within the protected work area.
(Shadow)
 Assure that all patient loading into
ambulances is done from within the
protected work zone
 Operate as or assign a Scene Safety
Officer
 Assure all traffic emitter devices are
turned off.

40. Emergency Crew Personnel Benchmarks
 Always maintain an acute awareness of
the high risk of working in or near moving
traffic
 Never trust moving traffic
 Always look before you move(look both
ways)
 NEVER turn your back to moving traffic.
 Exit & enter crew cabs from the protected
side (shadow), away from traffic

41. Emergency Crew Personnel Benchmarks
 Protective clothing and Helmet must be
donned prior to exiting the emergency
vehicle
 Class II Vest or bunker coat with a Helmet as a
minimum. (Full PPE when performing FF work)

42. Emergency Crew Personnel Benchmarks
 Always look before opening doors and
stepping out of apparatus or emergency
vehicles.
 Be alert when walking around apparatus.
 Stop at corner of the unit, check for traffic
 Stay on protected side when possible
 Maintain reduced profile when moving through
any area where a minimum buffer zone exist.

43. Interstate Highway Operations
 State Police and DOT have a desire to
keep the traffic moving on these
roadways.
 When in the judgment of the IC it
becomes essential for the safety of
operating personnel and patients, any or
all lanes can be shut down
 This should rarely occur and should be for
a short period of time as practical

44. Interstate Highway Operations
 First arriving engine company shall
establish an initial block of Lane 1 or Lane
2.
 Traffic cones shall be placed farther apart with
the last cone approximately 150 feet upstream
 Personnel shall place and retrieve cones while
facing traffic
 “Emergency Scene Ahead” signs shall also be
deployed at all highway incidents, prior to the
furthest traffic cone.

45. Interstate Highway Operations
 Assign a flagger to monitor approaching
traffic.
 Notify Command via radio of approaching
traffic not responding to speed changes
 Police vehicles also used for advanced
warning techniques
 Staging of additional companies off the
highway may be required

46. Interstate Highway Operations
 Establish liaison with State Police as soon
as possible to jointly coordinate a safe
work zone
 Termination of the incident, removal of
crews, apparatus and equipment must be
done promptly to reduce exposure to
moving traffic and minimize traffic
congestion.

47. Officer’s Safe Parking
“Cue Card”
 Block
 Block at least One Lane
 Block so pump panel is “Down Stream”
 Block most critical or highest traffic
volume direction first
 Consider requesting addition PD units
or Fire/Police

48. Officer’s Safe Parking
“Cue Card”
 Crews wear proper PPE w/Helmet
 Bunker Coat or Class II vests at all
times
 Helmet or hard hat at all times

49. Officer’s Safe Parking
“Cue Card”
 Establish more than adequate
advance warning.
 Traffic cones at 15’ intervals
 Deploy minimum 5 cones upstream
 Deploy “Emergency Scene Ahead” sign
prior to last cone upstream
 Cones only Suggest, they don’t block
 Expand initial safe work zone

50. Officer’s Safe Parking
“Cue Card”
 Direct placement of ambulances
 Assure ambulances park within shadow
of larger apparatus as directed
 Lane 1 is furthest right lane, next is
Lane 2 from approaching motorist’s
point of view
 Direct ambulance to “block to the right
or left” to protect loading doors
 All patient loading is done from within a
protected work zone

51. Officer’s Safe Parking
“Cue Card”
 Night or Reduced Light Conditions
 Turn off Headlights
 Turn off Traffic emitter
 Provide overall scene lighting
 All personnel in PPE w/helmets or vest
 Consider additional company for
additional upstream block if necessary

52. Officer’s Safe Parking
“Cue Card”
 Highway Operations
 Establish initial block of one lane
 Place cones and signs upstream of
apparatus
 Last Cone 150’ upstream
 Deploy “Emergency Scene Ahead” sign
prior to furthest cone
 Monitor approaching traffic
 Terminate incident aggressively

53. Traffic Control devices
 Signs
 Channelization Devices
 Lighting Devices
 Pavement Markers

54. Traffic Control Devices
Should meet 5 basic requirements
2. Fulfill the need
3. Command Attention
4. Convey a clear and simple meaning
5. Command respect from road users, and
6. Give appropriate time for response
(reaction time)

55. Protective Clothing
 The outer garment shall have retro-
reflective material which meets
NFPA or ANSI standards.
 Firefighter helmet or hard hat with
retro-reflective tape on front, sides
and rear of helmet or hard hat.

56. Channelizing Devices
(cones, barricades, etc.)
 Warn and alert road
users of work
conditions in or near
the roadway
 Guide drivers and
pedestrians safely
 Should provide a
smooth, gradual, and
obvious transition
• 28” plus 2
retroreflectorized
white bands--one 6”
band about 2” above
one 4” band

57. Traffic Signs
 Typically diamond shaped with black
lettering on orange or fluorescent pink
retroreflective sheeting
 Should be placed in advance of hazard
 May be rigid or flexible material
 Size –generally 36” by 36”

58. Stop and Slow Signs
18 inches

59. General Safety for Flaggers
 Stand on side of Road facing
traffic
 Always have an escape route
 Don’t stand in shadows
 Beware of where the sun is, it
may blind drivers
 Beware of the contrasting colors
behind you.
 Stand alone

60. Hand Signals
Stop on- Beckoning
coming traffic on-coming
traffic

61. Safety Benchmarks
 Never trust approaching traffic
 NEVER turn your back to approaching
traffic
 Establish an initial “Block” with first
arriving fire apparatus
 Always wear firefighting helmet or hard
hat with retro reflective tape.
 Wear Proper PPE

62. Safety Benchmarks
 Turn off sources of vision impairment to
approaching motorist at nighttime
incidents.
 Use apparatus or police vehicles to
redirect the flow of moving traffic
 Establish advance warning upstream
 Use traffic cones and incident signs to
control traffic direction
 Establish “Flagger” to monitor
approaching traffic

63. Junior emergency
personnel shall
not be allowed to
direct traffic.
Under 18 years of age

64. NOT TOO SMART!!!

67. Summary
 Protect Yourself
 Protect your Scene
 Don’t Assume that all drivers
will follow your directions.

68. Fire Police looking on!

70. Don’t Get Bit

71. Don’t Become A