I previously talked about the importance of getting to the scene in one piece by driving safely — and sanely — and by making sure everyone uses seat belts. If you’re doing that, then you’re ahead of the curve. But that’s only the start. Once you are on the scene, you need to stay safe while operating on a highway or roadway, whether it be a six-lane interstate or a suburban street.
Regardless of the location of the call, you will at some point be operating on some type of roadway. This places you and your crew in harm’s way just by being there. Your vehicle is a distraction, even and especially with your emergency lights activated, to other motorists and a hindrance to traffic flow. Your body is exposed directly to a serious hazard in the form of other motorists.
You must operate defensively — you need to make sure that your vehicle is parked in a way so that it is noticeable and that you yourself are able to be seen. The only way to do the latter is to wear an appropriate and proper traffic safety vest every time you operate in or on the roadway. Bear in mind that not just any vest will do. It needs to be an ANSI Standard 107 Class III High Visibility Highway Traffic Safety Vest.
A FireRescue1 article last month looked at the science behind turnout trim. And for more resources on the subject and downloadable training presentations, check out ResponderSafety.com.
As part of operating defensively while operating on or in the roadway, we can also apply a very smart concept from our brothers and sisters in the wildland firefighting world: LCES.
LCES is a concept that frankly just makes good sense. The acronym stands for Lookouts, Communications, Escape Routes and Safety Zones. Each letter represents a core idea that, when applied as a group, will make operating on any scene safer for all involved. In the wildland firefighter arena, they teach this to everyone regardless of rank or position and they apply it on every response.
In essence, post lookouts to watch for all hazards. Make sure that all scene personnel, regardless of what service or agency they may be from, practice good on-scene communications, and this is especially true for those in the lookout role. Be sure to plan your own escape routes for the scene and constantly be thinking “how will I get out of here if this scene turns bad?” Lastly, know where safety zones are for that scene and again constantly update your mind as the scene dynamics change.
Getting to the scene is only a part of the battle. Surviving the scene is another portion. Avoiding the hazards presented at any given event and then getting home in one piece are all parts of navigating yourself successfully though responses.