COLLIER COUNTY EMS / FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING GUIDELINES

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1 Purpose When responding to any emergency call, the Collier County EMS/Fire Department places a great deal of responsibility on the drivers of our emergency vehicles. Not only must emergency vehicle drivers provide prompt conveyance of the apparatus, equipment, and personnel to provide service to those in need, but they must also accomplish this task in the safest and most prudent manner possible. Emergency vehicle drivers have in their care, custody and control most of the major assets possessed by this Department (the personnel, vehicle, and portable equipment). Emergency vehicle drivers also have a higher standard of care to provide to the general motoring public and must make every attempt possible to provide due regard for the safety of others. Drivers must constantly monitor and reduce the amount of risk and exposure to potential losses during each and every response and travel. Safe arrival at the emergency scene shall be, and must always remain, the first priority of all emergency vehicle drivers. In order to accomplish this task, all emergency vehicle drivers shall become familiar with, and constantly abide by, the following policies and procedures. Procedures 1. Circle of safety Prior to starting and moving the vehicle, the emergency vehicle operator shall be assured that the vehicle is secured and safe for travel. This would include a visual inspection of all six sides of the vehicle (4 sides, top and bottom) checking for unsecured equipment and/or compartment doors, securing shoreline in appropriate location and that all obstructions impeding vehicle movement have been removed. This may be accomplished with assistance from other members of the crew, however the ultimate responsibility to assure that it is safe to start and move the vehicle rests with the driver. Vehicle operators are to adopt a good neighbor policy and not test the audible warning devices as part of their daily apparatus check. 2. Warning devices and emergencies When responding to an emergency, all visual warning devices will be operated at all times regardless of the time of day and/or traffic conditions. Secondary visual devices will remain in operation while the unit is parked on-scene of an emergency unless ordered otherwise by Incident Command. Audible devices are to be utilized only when reasonably necessary. Use of audible warning devices during late night/early morning hours is discouraged on empty roads or within neighborhood communities. Examples of conditions that may warrant the use of audible warning devices include: Pedestrians or animals on or approaching within 30 of the intended right-of-way; Moving vehicles on or approaching within 300 of the intended right-of-way; To activate traffic flow devices and; As safety/warning notification to on-scene personnel. Usually activated by Incident Command. All emergency vehicle drivers must understand that warning devices are not always effective in making other vehicle operators aware of their presence. Warning devices only request the right-of-way, they do not insure the right-of-way. The use of air horns is typically limited to last second accident avoidance after all other Page 1 of 7

2 warning devices appear to be ineffective. The use of emergency-vehicle lighting devices is essential at traffic incidents, particularly in the early stages, for the safety of responders, persons involved in the incident, and highway users approaching the incident scene. Emergency-vehicle lighting, however, provides warning only and does not provide traffic control. Multiple flashing emergency lights are often confusing to highway users, especially at night. Motorists approaching a traffic incident from the opposite direction on a divided roadway are often distracted by emergency-vehicle lighting and slow down, sometimes abruptly, to look at the traffic incident as they pass, posing a hazard to themselves and other travelers. The lingering effect of this distraction contributes to increased congestion and secondary accidents. On divided highways, or locations when traffic coming from the opposite directions does not pose a threat to responders, emergency vehicle drivers will give special consideration to reducing or extinguishing all forward-facing flashing or wig-wag emergency lights. 3. Vehicle control and right-of-way All emergency vehicle drivers shall attempt to maintain control of the vehicle that they are operating in such a manner as to provide the maximum level of safety for both their passengers and the general public. Emergency vehicle drivers should be aware that the civilian vehicle operators might not react in the manner in which is expected or thought to be desirable. An attempt should be made to have options available when passing or overtaking vehicles. If another vehicle operator fails to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle driver cannot force the right-of-way, nor can he or she assume the right-ofway. Therefore, emergency vehicle drivers do not have the right-of-way until the other vehicle yields to them. Indiscriminate use of audible warning devices is not a method to assure emergency vehicle right-ofway. The emergency vehicle driver shall be aware of his/her rate of closure on other vehicles and pedestrians at all times to make sure that a safe following distance is established and maintained. All drivers shall follow the rule for safe following distance and allow one [1] second of following distance for each ten [10] feet of vehicle length for speeds under forty [40] mph and add one [1] additional second for each ten [10] mph for speeds over forty [40] mph. 4. Response speeds When responding to an emergency only, emergency vehicle drivers shall operate the vehicle they are driving at as close as possible to the posted speed limit, but shall not exceed ten [10] miles per hour over the posted speed limit, conditions permitting. Examples of conditions requiring slower response speeds include but are not limited to: Between dusk and dawn Slippery road conditions Page 2 of 7

3 Inclement weather Poor visibility Heavy or congested traffic conditions Sharp curves At no time is an emergency vehicle driver to operate the vehicle above the posted speed limit in a school zone during the posted school hours. 5. Intersection Practices Extreme care should be taken when approaching any intersection because intersections are the locations responsible for a large percentage of major accidents involving emergency vehicles. Drivers are required to practice the Department s intersection operating guidelines during all emergency responses. Uncontrolled intersections At an intersection that does not offer a control device (stop sign, yield or traffic signal) in the direction of travel of the emergency vehicle, or where a traffic control signal is green upon the approach of the emergency vehicle, all emergency vehicle drivers should do the following: Scan the intersection for possible hazards (right turns on red, pedestrians, vehicles traveling fastest); Observe traffic in all 4 directions (left, right, front, rear); If reasonably necessary, activate or change the siren cadence; Slow down if any potential hazards are detected and cover the brake pedal with the driver s foot; and Avoid using the opposing lane of traffic if at all possible. Emergency vehicle drivers should always be prepared to stop. If another vehicle operator fails to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle, the emergency vehicle driver cannot force the right-of-way, nor can he or she assume the right-of-way. Therefore, emergency vehicle drivers do not have the right-of-way until the other vehicle yields to them. Controlled intersections Any intersection controlled by a stop sign, yield sign, yellow traffic light or a red traffic light requires a complete stop by the emergency vehicle driver. In addition to bringing the vehicle to a complete stop, these additional steps must be followed as well: Do not rely on warning devices to clear traffic; Scan the intersection for possible hazards (right turns on red, pedestrians, vehicles traveling fastest) as well as driver options; Begin to slow down well before reaching the intersection and cover the brake pedal with the drivers foot, continue to scan in four directions (left, right, front, back); If reasonably necessary, activate or change the siren cadence; Page 3 of 7

4 Scan intersection for possible passing options (pass on right, left, wait, etc.) and avoid using the opposing lane of traffic if at all possible; Come to a complete stop; Establish eye contact with other vehicle drivers, have partner communicate all is clear and reconfirm all other vehicles are stopped; and Proceed at one lane of traffic at a time treating each lane of traffic as a separate intersection. Airfield runway/taxiway access Any vehicle movement within airport boundaries is very closely monitored by either the Air Traffic Control tower or airport security. Any vehicle activity on the runways or taxiways must be under positive escort of an airport authority vehicle. Secondary visual warning devices are to be in operation while on airport property. Specific vehicle operations are necessary in order to assure safety: Naples Municipal Airport for aircraft emergencies - Alert I, II or III: 1 Entry onto the Naples Municipal Airport (NAA) property is through Gate 10E, located approximately 100 yards to the south of the end of Radio Road. It is marked with a large sign identifying it as Emergency Vehicle Entry Point and when monitored during an emergency, will have a red strobe light activated; If dispatched to an address that requires vehicle operations within airport grounds, an escort unit must be requested through Control. Prior to traveling onto secured airport property, a NAA or City of Naples Fire Rescue unit must escort the medical unit. This gate will be staffed by a NAA staff member during all Alerts initiated by the Air Traffic Control Tower; Escorts will be provided by the Line Technicians or Airport Facilities; Upon entry onto airport property, proceed no further than is necessary to clear the gate and allow entry of other responding vehicles; All vehicles will stage outside the gate until the Staging Officer provides further direction; Make no attempt to traverse any grassy areas, ramp areas, taxi ways, or runways without an escort from airport security, an airport operations official, or a City of Naples Fire Rescue - Crash Fire Rescue unit. If a vehicle operator finds themselves on the ramp operations area without an escort, do not move without an escort. If face to face with an aircraft, always give right-of-way to the aircraft. Other locations - Non aircraft emergencies: If dispatched to an address on airport property, such as City of Naples Fire Station 3 or a private hanger, respond directly to that address and make entry at that point. Some hangars are only 1 Alert 1 = In-flight emergency with no anticipated problems upon landing / Alert II = In-flight emergency with the potential for problems upon landing / Alert III = An aircraft has crashed on the airport grounds Page 4 of 7

5 accessible through specific gates. If dispatched to an address that requires vehicle operations within airport grounds, an escort must be requested through Control prior to traveling onto secured airport property. MedFlight or air ambulance intercept: The delivery/retrieval of patients to MedFlight by way of MedFlight Headquarters is permitted. Vehicles are only able to proceed through the security gates upon the approval of the MedFlight pilot and may not continue past the large white fuel tanks. Delivery/Retrieval of patients from a fixed wing aircraft or helicopters will remain at the General Aviation Terminal (160 Aviation Drive) via Gate 9. These aircraft are typically located in front of the Terminal and an escort is not required. If the location of the aircraft is unknown, proceed thru the gate and stop the vehicle. A Line Technician will direct you to the proper aircraft. Response to other airports: Airports such as Immokalee and Marco Island are considered uncontrolled, meaning there is no control tower to oversee vehicle movement on the ground or in the air. Entry onto these airports is achieved by way of locked gated entry points as identified by Control. Follow the directions of the airport s on-duty personnel. In cases when vehicle operations must be conducted after business hours, proceed cautiously with secondary visual warning devices in operation. 6. Non-emergency response When responding to a call in a non-emergency response mode or normal flow of traffic (stand-by-the-area, or when not responding to an emergency), the vehicle will be operated without any audible or visual warning devices and in compliance with all state motor vehicle laws that apply to civilian traffic. 7. Ordinary travel procedures All drivers shall obey all traffic laws and traffic control devices when driving any Department vehicle under ordinary travel conditions. Any driver observed breaking any traffic laws or driving any vehicle or utilizing warning devices in an aggressive manner will be subject to disciplinary action. 8. Riding/Seat Belt Policy The Department requires all persons to be seated in approved riding positions and to be secured in the vehicle by appropriate safety restraints whenever the vehicle is in motion. The emergency vehicle driver and/or the person riding in the officer position shall verify that all personnel are properly seated and secured before the vehicle is moved. Standard communication signals should be formulated and utilized by all personnel. Persons riding in the front cab or rear passenger seats shall utilize seat belts as appropriate. Page 5 of 7

6 Persons transported on the stretcher shall be secured at a minimum with shoulder harness, leg, and lap belts. Through verification from the attending practitioner, it is the responsibility of the driver to assure that before the vehicle moves, the patient is secured and the practitioner is properly prepared for transport. Children will be secured using the appropriate restraint device based on their size and weight, whether it is a DOT approved car seat or the department issued Pedi-Mate. The Department prohibits riding on tail steps, sidesteps, running boards, or any other exposed position on the emergency vehicle. Personnel who are not performing emergency medical care while the vehicle is in motion should be secured to the vehicle by a seat belt or safety harness designed for occupant restraint. 9. Securing Equipment In an effort to prevent equipment from becoming a projectile, prior to the vehicle moving, all interior doors/cabinets/drawers are to be shut and secured as well as all outside compartment doors. Equipment in the outside compartments shall be secured with any provided restraints/brackets. Equipment stored in the patient compartment will be either secured to the stretcher using the stretcher s straps or otherwise placed in closed cabinets or drawers. 10. Backing The Department recognizes that backing emergency vehicles is made hazardous by the fact that the driver cannot see much of where he/she intends to go. The Department recommends that whenever possible drivers should avoid backing because the safest way to back up a vehicle is not to back up at all. When it is necessary to back-up any Department vehicle, all drivers shall follow one [1] of the following two measures: Before any vehicle is put into reverse and backed up, a spotter must be put in place near the rear of the vehicle. The spotter should be safely positioned so that the emergency vehicle driver can see the spotter at all times. If at any time the emergency vehicle driver loses sight of the spotter, he/she shall stop immediately until the spotter makes him/herself visible again. When conditions exist that make it impossible for the driver to adequately see the spotter(s) (i.e. darkness, excessive rain) radio contact must be established between the driver and spotter(s). If conditions exist that make use of spotters impossible (i.e. lack of on-scene manpower, partner cannot act as a spotter due to providing patient care), before attempting to back up any Department vehicle, all drivers shall make a circle of safety to see that: No person or persons are directly behind the vehicle or in its intended path of travel; There are no indications that vehicles or pedestrians will move into the path of the vehicle; All equipment is secured and that all compartment doors are securely closed; and Any physical obstructions are moved out of the way. The emergency vehicle driver should also note all potential obstructions in the intended path of travel. The driver assumes all accountability when the decision is made to back the vehicle under these conditions. Page 6 of 7

7 REVIEWED BY: APPROVED BY: Tabatha Butcher, Assistant Chief Walter Kopka, Chief Page 7 of 7