Fire Service Vehicle Safety, Scene Lighting, and Personnel Accountability Study Guide | Quizlet

Situational awareness

Recognizing hazards, remaining mindful of changing conditions, evaluating changes against the safety of your actions, and communicating what you see.

Primary role of a firefighter while operating

To safely and efficiently perform the tasks assigned by the supervisor, crew leader, company officer, or Incident Commander.

Who should receive information about changing conditions?

The immediate supervisor, crew leader, company officer, or Incident Commander.

Why is situational awareness important?

New information about changing conditions may cause supervisors or Command to change orders or strategies.

Conditions to observe at every incident

Fire location and proximity, changes in fire behavior/spread/growth, structural integrity, wind direction and strength, and hazards not identified during size-up.

Response safety begins when

Firefighters are notified of an emergency.

Before an apparatus can respond

Firefighters must safely reach the apparatus, put on appropriate PPE, mount the apparatus, and fasten their seat belt.

Safe apparatus mounting

Use the available handholds and steps designed for mounting and maintain three points of contact.

Three points of contact

Two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand, should remain in contact with the apparatus while mounting or dismounting.

Position when mounting apparatus

Face the apparatus and grip the handholds firmly with both hands before stepping up.

Safe apparatus dismounting

Back out of the cab using the handholds and steps.

Why should you not exit an apparatus face first?

Exiting face first presents a trip or fall hazard.

Safest side for mounting and dismounting

When possible, use the side of the vehicle that is not exposed to traffic.

Dismounting on the traffic-exposed side

Watch for oncoming vehicles before opening the door and wait for a break in traffic before exiting.

Hazards to firefighters riding in apparatus

Excessive noise, loose equipment, falls if not seated and belted, and injuries during vehicle accidents.

Moving apparatus rule

Never stand on or in a moving apparatus.

NFPA 1500 helmet rule

Firefighting helmets are prohibited inside the cab of fire apparatus.

Safe riding position

Always remain seated and securely belted before the apparatus moves.

Hearing protection while riding apparatus

Always wear hearing protection or radio headsets.

Loose equipment while riding apparatus

Secure all loose tools and equipment so they cannot strike firefighters.

Cab doors

Keep cab doors securely closed while the apparatus is moving.

Enclosed apparatus safety

Follow all department SOPs and NFPA 1500 requirements when riding in enclosed apparatus.

Unenclosed apparatus safety

Close safety gates or bars securely before the apparatus moves.

When is emergency scene lighting required?

At night, in low-light conditions, and inside structures where normal lighting is not available.

Portable lights

Lights used in building interiors or remote areas of an emergency scene.

Telescoping light stands

Allow portable lights to be raised and directed more effectively.

Fixed lights

Lights mounted on a vehicle and wired directly to a vehicle-mounted generator or the apparatus electrical system.

Purpose of fixed lights

Provide overall lighting of the emergency scene.

Fixed light mounting

Fixed lights are usually mounted on telescoping poles that can be raised, lowered, or rotated; some are mounted on hydraulic booms.

What limits the number of fixed lights on an apparatus?

The amount of power the vehicle-mounted generator or apparatus electrical system can produce.

Common power sources for emergency lighting

Portable electric generators, apparatus-mounted generators, and the apparatus electrical system.

Portable electric generator

A small gasoline- or diesel-powered generator commonly providing 110- and/or 220-volt outlets.

Portable generator capacity

Most portable generators provide 110- and/or 220-volt outlets.

Portable generator handling

Most portable generators are light enough to be carried by two people.

When are portable generators useful?

When vehicle-mounted power systems are not available.

Vehicle-mounted generator

A generator mounted on apparatus that produces more power than portable units.

Vehicle-mounted generator power sources

May use gasoline, diesel, propane gas engines, or hydraulic power take-off (PTO) systems.

Apparatus electrical system

Can provide power for lights and tools when only a small amount of electrical power is needed.

Inverter

A device that converts a vehicle's 12- or 24-volt direct current (DC) into 110- or 220-volt alternating current (AC).

Advantages of an inverter

Fuel efficiency and minimal noise.

Disadvantages of an inverter

Constant apparatus exhaust, limited power supply, and limited mobility.

Auxiliary electrical equipment

Includes electrical cables, extension cords, receptacles, connectors, junction boxes, GFCI devices, and adapters.

Requirements for auxiliary electrical equipment

Equipment should be waterproof, intrinsically safe, and designed for the amount of electrical current it is intended to carry.

Electrical cables and extension cords

Carry a limited amount of electricity and should have adequate insulation with no exposed wires.

Twist-lock receptacles and connectors

Provide secure, safe connections when grounding wires are used and the connections are not immersed in water.

Junction boxes

Provide multiple outlets or connections supplied through one inlet from the power source.

GFCI

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter; outlets should be equipped with GFCI devices.

NFPA 70E

Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace.

Adapters

Allow different types of plugs and receptacles to be connected and may allow mutual-aid departments to use each other's generators and power sources.

Portable generator safety

Use two personnel to carry portable generators to their setup position.

Generator placement

Position generators downwind so exhaust fumes do not create an ignition or contamination hazard.

Generator hearing protection

Wear hearing protection when operating portable generators if needed.

Generator noise hazard

Generator noise can make communications difficult.

Light positioning

Adjust lights so they illuminate the scene without shining into the eyes of approaching drivers.

Damaged electrical cords

Remove cords with faulty insulation or exposed wires from service.

Water and electrical equipment

Never immerse power cords or connections in water.

Power source capacity

Never connect more lights than the power source can support.

Overtaxing a power source

Can cause poor lighting, damage lights/generators/electrical systems, and restrict other tools using the same power source.

Lighting heat hazard

Some lighting units produce extreme heat that can cause burns or melt paint and plastics on apparatus.

Emergency lighting deployment

When ordered to set up lighting, select appropriate equipment from the apparatus and carry it to the setup location.

Portable generator deployment

Carry the portable generator to a safe location before operating it.

Apparatus-mounted generator deployment

Gather the necessary lights, cords, and adapters and carry them to the setup locations.

Personnel accountability system

A system designed to track personnel entering and leaving an IDLH environment.

Purpose of personnel accountability

To allow Command to know which firefighters and companies are operating and where they are located.

Personnel accountability training

All personnel should be trained in the department's accountability system.

Personnel accountability during training

Accountability procedures should be part of all training exercises.

When can personnel accountability save a firefighter's life?

If SCBA malfunctions, a firefighter becomes lost or trapped, or there is an unexpected change in fire behavior.

Why must the IC know firefighter locations?

If the IC does not know where personnel are, it is impossible to know whether someone is trapped inside.

Consequence of poor accountability

Firefighters have died because they were not known to be missing until it was too late.

Types of personnel accountability systems

Passport systems, SCBA tag systems, and computer-based electronic systems.

What makes an accountability system effective?

It must be properly implemented by the Incident Commander and properly used by personnel.

Passport system

Sometimes called a tag system; company officers have a passport listing every crew member.

Passport procedure

Firefighters give their passports/tags to a supervisor or designated Accountability Officer according to department policy.

Passport control board

Passports may be attached to a control board or personnel identification chart.

Leaving an IDLH with a passport

Firefighters collect their passports after leaving the IDLH environment.

What does the passport system tell Command?

Which companies and personnel are operating and where they are operating.

SCBA tag system

A personnel accountability system using a tag attached to the firefighter's SCBA.

Benefits of an SCBA tag system

It provides greater accountability and greater safety.

SCBA tag procedure

Firefighters give their SCBA tags to the Accountability Officer, who records the required information.

SCBA tag entry information

The Accountability Officer records the firefighter's time of entry.

SCBA tag expected exit time

The expected exit time is based on the air pressure in the lowest-reading SCBA in the team.

Leaving an IDLH with an SCBA tag

Firefighters take their tags back when leaving so the Accountability Officer knows who remains inside.

Extended operations accountability

Relief crews should be sent in before interior crews run low on air.

Electronic accountability system

A computer-based system that uses radio-based tracking or radar-based transmitters attached to PPE.

Electronic accountability benefits

May provide greater safety and can alert Command if a firefighter becomes immobile or calls for assistance.

Electronic MAYDAY capability

Some electronic systems can sound a MAYDAY or evacuation alarm and verify that it was received.

Digital SCBA accountability

Some SCBA manufacturers provide digital accountability features that can register personnel position and air supply with Command software.

Electronic accountability limitation

Electronic systems should never fully replace manual accountability systems; they should be used as a supplemental safety measure.

Highway/roadway incident danger

Firefighters and victims may be in danger of being struck by traffic.

Three basic roadway safety requirements

Be visible, work within a protected area, and exercise situational awareness.

Apparatus and scene lighting at roadway incidents

Lighting can improve visibility but can also make the situation more hazardous if improperly used.

Forward-facing lights at roadway incidents

Some departments require forward-facing lights, including headlights, to be turned off.

Flashing lights at roadway incidents

Some departments minimize flashing lights on the sides and rear of vehicles.

Lights facing approaching traffic

Lights may be turned off to avoid blinding or distracting drivers.

When may headlights be used at a roadway incident?

To illuminate the work area or warn motorists that the vehicle is in an unexpected location.

Roadway situational awareness

Look before moving, keep an eye on moving traffic, walk facing oncoming traffic, and follow departmental SOPs.

Exiting vehicles at roadway incidents

Always use extreme caution when exiting a vehicle.

Importance of roadway scene management

Proper scene management can be critical to preventing firefighter injuries or fatalities.

Highway/roadway incident hazards

Hazards may be related to the vehicles involved and the surrounding area.

Roadway debris

Vehicle crashes can spread debris over a large area and create tripping, falling, and cutting hazards.