emergency scene traffic control
instructor manual
www.bccsa.ca
endorsed and supported By:
© Bc construction safety alliance 2010
emergency scene traffic control
instructor manual
www.bccsa.ca
endorsed and supported By:
© Bc construction safety alliance 2010
Provide each participant with a copy of the Emergency Scene Management‟s Participants Guide.
Make sure you have enough copies of handouts for each student. You may want to supply them
with pencils and highlighters as well.
You will need:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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Operational Guidelines:
Emergency scene diagrams:
 For use during Unit Three of the course, have student work in groups each with a
different scenario, review each exercise as a group.
Roster
 To be filled out and copied (faxed or mailed) within 5 working days of course completion
to the BC Construction Safety Alliance for certificates to be issued.
Practical Evaluations
 To be completed and retained by instructor/department.
Course Evaluations
 To be filled out and copied (faxed or mailed) within 5 working days of course completion
to the BC Construction Safety Alliance in order for trainer to retain Instructor Status.
Have the projector set up with title slide displayed as participants arrive. Keep visual aids such
as vests, paddles, wands, paddles, etc on hand for presentation along with any required
handouts. See Resource tab in Instructor‟s Guide for information on administrative procedures.
Set up flip charts and/or white-board for use during presentation.
1
Here are some suggestions for beginning the course:
-Introduce yourself
-Welcome the students
-Introduce the subject
-Encourage discussion and questions
If the students do not know each other or if you do not know them, ask them to
briefly introduce themselves.
2
Discuss basic housekeeping:
-Point out washrooms, emergency exits, muster points, etc.
-Send class roster around having each officer sign in CLEARLY and explain this is
necessary for certificates to be issued
3
Discuss in general the contents of the course. Explain what you expect the
participants to know about controlling traffic by the end of the session, using slide
points as reference.
-Include Departmental Operational Guideline or sample (see resources section) for
directing traffic, outlining policy and procedures to be followed.
-What kind of safety equipment is needed for traffic control.
-How to set up the scene of an emergency quickly and in a manner that best
protects emergency responders and the public.
-How to direct traffic safely.
4
Explain the procedures and requirements for evaluations:
-Written exam, 20 questions including true, false, multiple choice, short answer
format. 45 minute open book, and 75% successful completion.
-Practical skills checklist filled out by instructor, 100% successful completion.
-Course evaluations are completed by participants and allow the program to be
evaluated and improved based on actual user input.
5
Give a brief description, points of interest and how these will help participants direct
traffic safely:
1. Operational Guidelines for directing traffic must be practiced by all Department
Personnel.
2. The equipment used at the scene provides visibility, warning and guidance to
motorist.
3. It is important to set up the scene to protect department personnel, the scene and
public.
4. There are procedures to follow for controlling and directing traffic to promote
safety of department personnel and public at the scene.
5. The review gives the opportunity to ask questions and clarify points before the
exam.
-The practical portion is required to prove competency of participants.
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7
Pass out Operational Guidelines and discuss the objectives of this unit:
After this unit participants will understand:
•The Motor Vehicle Act and how it applies to them.
•The Operational Guidelines specific to their department including the
purpose, scope, policy and procedure.
•The procedure and criteria that applies to clearing the scene of an
emergency.
8
Explain the Motor Vehicles Act and how it includes and applies to Department
Personnel while directing traffic:
•Instructors must find out who has given Fire Services the authorization in
their jurisdiction.
•It may be a local police force, RCMP or city mayor depending on locations.
•Department Personnel must be formally authorized by peace officers in
order for traffic to be required to obey them.
•This must be done in writing for legal reasons.
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The Operational Guideline provided is highly recommended for all jurisdictions. See
Resources section in the Instructor‟s Manual.
•Guidelines may vary somewhat but should have similar principles and focus
on safety in all aspects.
•Edit these slides to included specifics in your Operational Guidelines, if your
Department does not adopt these policies.
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Policy should state that all Department Personnel should:
•Use appropriate traffic control measures at all emergency scenes that directly
affect traffic on public roads.
•Persons directing traffic shall be trained in the safe performance of their duties.
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Emphasize the importance of safety and describe the procedure clearing the scene
according to your Operational Guidelines:
Where an incident scene is completely finished with all hazards removed:
Step One:
Move fire department apparatus off the traveled portion of the roadway and clear the traffic lane,
where applicable, to allow traffic to resume normal traffic patterns.
Step Two:
Completely stop or slow traffic while an assistant picks up the channeling devices depending on
location, amount of traffic, etc. If necessary, use a fire department vehicle to protect emergency
workers while performing this task.
Step Three:
Using a fire department vehicle to protect the emergency worker, pick up the „emergency scene‟
sign last.
Where traffic control is to be taken over by another agency:
Step One:
Have the relieving agency set up their warning devices and equipment.
Step Two:
Once the relieving agency is set up and ready to take over, use the new TCP‟s protection and
have fire department personnel pick up the fire department equipment and leave the scene. If
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necessary, use a fire department vehicle to protect fire department personnel while picking up the
„emergency scene‟ signs.
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Discuss the objectives and what you expect the participants to know by the end of
this unit. Scene safety is directly related to the various types of equipment
mentioned within this unit including:
•PPE Personal protective equipment such as safety vests , hard hats, & turn out
gear.
•Personal traffic control equipment such as the traffic control paddle, flashlights with
red/orange (signalling)wand, and staffs for directing traffic.
•Equipment used to set up the scene such as channelizing devices and stands.
Participants will learn when and why each piece of equipment is used. Refer to
visual aids.
21
Emphasize safety at the scene:
1. Safety of the crew comes first, responders must not forget their own well
being.
2. Safety of the public and patients comes second, the condition and needs
of the public at the scene must be secured before traffic control is
implemented (unless manpower allows for a designated Fire Fighter to
handle traffic requirements immediately upon arrival).
3. Safety of the scene comes last, however this does not mean it is not
important. Responders must assess the risk of the location and decide what
means are necessary to protect the crew and public from traffic at the scene.
•Ensure it is safe to enter the scene upon arrival and look for under-lying
hazards such as electrical wires or hazardous materials.
22
Personal Protective Equipment is what the Department Personnel wears to protect
them while directing traffic and includes safety vests, helmets and turnout coats:
Use high visibility vest as visual aid.
•A WorkSafeBC approved high visibility garment must be worn over any
uniform or turnout coat at all times while directing traffic and must:
Be on a fluorescent colored background (lime green/orange).
A vertical band of reflective material on either side of the chest, and
“X” on the back and a horizontal stripe around the waist. This band
must also have a florescent trim of the opposite colour of the vest
(either lime yellow or orange)
Reflective material on turn-out must be kept clean & visible
Reflective banks must be a minimum of 5cm wide and combine for a
total of 200 square inches.
23
Generate discussion with participants. Consider dirty gear, poor visibility, or working
during darkness.
24
Discuss the variations in acceptable high visibility garments.
Common pitfalls of reflective garments:
•Colours are not contrasting. Example - Lime green/yellow & silver
•No side bar
•‟X‟ on back too small
•Missing silver retroreflective stripe on top of contrasting florescent colour
25
Discuss the equipment used to direct traffic safely. Use visual aids to show each
item and give a brief demonstration of how each item should be used. Give
examples of when each item is to be used and why these tools make directing
traffic safer:
Equipment must meet the standards of WorksafeBC which states:
•Traffic control paddles must conform to the Ministry of Transportation‟s
Traffic Control Manual for Work on Roadways which states paddles must be
the standard C-27 Stop/Slow and have encapsulated lens reflective sheeting
(high intensity). This must be used at all times a person is directing traffic.
•Support staffs can be used as required any time the person directing traffic
desires to reduce fatigue and prevent repetitive strain injuries. It must be non
conductive (plastic, wood or metal with a rubber boot).
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•
There are different types of lighting devices. Some are an attachment for
a flashlight while others are LED (light emitting diode) wands that blink in
different patterns. Red/orange wand must be used while directing traffic
at night or during times of poor visibility (used to direct traffic and give
arm signals). Wands may be used any time for additional visibility as an
extension of the arm.
•
Two-way radios are necessary when poor visibility or the design of the
scene makes it necessary for persons directing traffic to use radios to
communicate with each other or the crew.
27
Discuss the signs and channeling devices used at the emergency scene and briefly
explain where/when each item would be used:
•Signs recommended especially at higher speeds (70km and up), should be
placed where they are conspicuous but will not obstruct traffic (such as the
shoulder of the road).
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Motor Vehicle Act approved signage, excerpts from the MOT Traffic Control Manual
for Work on Roadways.
29
Discuss the importance of channeling devices as visual barriers at the emergency
scene:
•Type B or Type C cones are used to delineate work areas and specific
hazards.
•Tubular markers are mandatory when the speed limit is 70 km/h or higher.
•Flexible drums are used at higher speeds.
•Each must be reflective for night use for maximum visibility.
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Discuss the objectives in this unit and what you expect the participants to know by
the end:
•The five parts of the emergency scene and the purpose for each part.
•Spacing and distance requirements necessary for scene safety.
•How to set up an emergency scene that promotes safety and facilitates the
flow of traffic.
32
Explain in detail the parts and purpose of each area including the Advanced
Warning Area, Transition Area, Buffer Space, Emergency Scene and Termination
Area:
•Use a flip chart/white board to illustrate each part consecutively.
•Elaborate and discuss the importance of each area (as mentioned in the
slides).
•Explain how channelizing devices should be placed to create a smooth taper
and clearly identify the emergency scene.
33
Use this slide or Draw the parts of the scene on the board to illustrate and explain
each as you go.
1. Advanced Warning Area:
The Advanced Warning Area serves a purpose to warn motorist of a potential
hazard ahead. Accident/Emergency Scene ahead signs may be used for this
purpose. When placing signs be sure they are in a conspicuous place but will not
obstruct traffic.
2.The Transition Area:
Contains a taper of no less than four cones or tubular markers, which
direct traffic away from the accident scene and into the clear or open lane.
3.The Buffer Space:
Is the area prior to the scene that is free from obstruction, where a
motorist may regain control of their vehicle or stop if they fail to respond to the
directional devices in the transition taper.
4.The Emergency Scene: (work area)
Should be clearly identified, include the debris fields and be closed off
to the public using channelizing devices.
5.The Termination Area:
Contains a taper to direct traffic back into its normal traffic path.
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Explain the spacing requirements using the illustrations on the flip chart/white
board:
•Explain why the distance between cones is a maximum.
-So that vehicles cannot fit between them.
•Why tapers are longer where no person directs traffic.
-To increase their effectiveness.
•Explain how distances should be increased with speed and driving
conditions and that these are minimum standards.
-To allow for the increase reaction time motorists require.
•Be sure each student understands how to read the chart through
questioning and group discussion.
-For example “how far away from the beginning of the transition taper
should the sign be at 60km?”.
36
Use this slide as a visual aid to assist students in understanding the Spacing and
Distance Table.
•Distance between cones is maximum 10m at all speeds, they may be positioned
closer together.
•Taper length at 70km:
-Without Personnel directing traffic is 75m.
-With Personnel directing traffic is 10m.
Note: Without personnel directing traffic the transition taper must be longer.
37
Discuss accessing each scene for variations that may affect traffic and set up of the
emergency scene. Discuss how each specific variation may adversely affect traffic
at the scene:
•No two locations are the same therefore there is no specific set up or
guideline that must be followed at every site.
•Each location will require an assessment to determine what is necessary to
protect the crew and public while on a traveled roadway.
•Use following slides or flip chart/whiteboard to illustrate variations and ways
to set them up to best protect the crew and public.
38
Once participants have a basic understanding of setting up the scene take a
working break:
•Split participants into groups and assign a scene set up. Use diagrams
found in the Resource section of the Instructor‟s Guide, or invite participants
to use there own examples or ask questions about locations they‟ve attended
that included bends, curves, hills weather conditions, time of day/week.
•Have participants use white board/flip chart to show what they did for each
location, use these illustrations for group discussion.
•The following diagrams must be covered as they contain critical information,
any variation from this material is in addition and may be included at the
discretion of the instructor and their time frame.
39
Use the white board to illustrate spacing requirements, emphasize that these are
minimum standards that can be exceeded to achieve scene safety.
•TCP = Traffic Control Person
•Consider spacing requirements with/without Department Personnel directing
traffic.
•Taper is critical especially at high speeds (70 km/h +).
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DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL MUST FOLLOW TRAFFIC SIGNAL PATTERNS
WHEN WORKING IN OR NEAR INTERSECTIONS. ONLY ONE PERSON MUST
BE IN CHARGE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL
Intersections require special consideration:
•Use signs on the busiest streets if supply is limited.
•Use cones as markers on centerline to draw motorist attention.
•Set up will vary depending on the variations of the location.
•Institute right turns only if necessary.
•Always work with the lights never against them.
•You may stop vehicles on green lights but not send through a red
light unless absolutely necessary.
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Configurations refer to the way the road is engineered:
•Number of lanes, speed, intersections, driveways, shoulders, curbs, and any
other consideration for set up.
•Road configurations can help or hinder (use shoulders, turn bays, suicide
lanes to facilitate the flow of traffic, where ever possible keep two lanes
moving in both directions).
•Consider lane widths and shoulder stability.
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Another configuration is the presence of suicide lanes. Here‟s an example of how
that could be set up. A suicide lane is left turn lane used by both directions of
oncoming traffic.
•When set up correctly they may be used to move traffic through an
emergency scene.
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Other conditions affect the reaction time motorists need to respond safely and,
requirements for direction at the emergency scene.
•Utilize signs
•Lengthen tapers
•Keep transition taper smooth with no sudden movements
•Department personnel must direct traffic anytime traffic backs up or conflicts the
presence of a railway crossing, and prevent vehicles from stopping on tracks. This
may mean positioning personnel at the railway tracks to enforce stopping prior to
the tracks.
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Discuss the objectives in this unit and what you expect the participants to know by
the end:
•How to safely position themselves to reduce the risk of being injured while
directing traffic on a roadway.
•The signals that must be used when more than one person is directing traffic
at a time, this avoids confusion.
•The safe ways to direct traffic that will reduce the chance of being injured or
causing confusion and possibly accidents.
•Road rage is common so it is important to know how to prevent violence.
•The important considerations for recording and reporting violations or
dangerous drivers at the scene.
46
Stress the importance of good visibility and a safe escape route:
•Explain the importance of visibility -motorist must be able to see and
understand the directions of the person directing traffic. The person directing
traffic must be able to see the crew and any other person directing traffic if
radios are not used).
•Describe an example of an escape route and what it may be used for.
(consider barriers such as ditches, medians, bridges, tunnels)
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Each of these points is important for safe positioning while directing traffic. Give
reasons for each and where possible, use the white board or actual bodies for a
visual aid in the class room.
•Keep distance from the first vehicle in line and the person directing traffic so that
they will not be hit should the vehicle get rear ended and roll forward
•Stand outside the lane carrying traffic (reduces the risk of getting hit, stops cars
from swerving into oncoming lanes).
•Toes to the center line and heels to the ditch (will keep the person from turning
their back to traffic).
•Have an escape route (where can the person go to escape an out of control
vehicle).
•Relay (a third person may be used in the middle to relay messages when radios
are not available).
•Explain that standing in front of headlights creates a blackout.
48
Use this slide to illustrate positioning as discussed on previous slides. Consider
escape routes, creepers, possible hazards, etc.
49
Discuss the current signals being used and the importance of using the regulatory
signals. Explain when they are to be used and why it is important only one person
signals and controls the flow of traffic:
•Standard signals are know by all traffic control people.
•Must be used when persons are directing traffic as a team (two or more).
•One designated person controls the flow of traffic, using the required
signals. This avoids confusion and mistakes that could lead to incidents or
injury. This person controls the obstructed lane or operates from the position
of clearest visibility.
50
Demonstrate each signal and use the following upcoming slides as visuals.
•Stress the importance of clear signals to avoid confusion.
•Clear starting point to catch partners attention, a whistle may be used as
well.
•Have each participant practice the signals.
•Discuss and demonstrate having the receiver confirm the message.
•Use radios when visibility requires.
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Explain the use of the emergency signals.
The “emergency stop/hold” signal can be used to inform personnel directing traffic
to hold all vehicles for emergencies or to facilitate the movement of apparatus within
the emergency scene.
The “emergency vehicle approaching” signal is used to warn of emergency
response vehicles with lights/sirens activated such as fire, police and ambulance. It
may also be used to warn that an out of control vehicle is approaching.
54
Explain the responsibility of the person directing traffic:
•Discuss why it is important to be courteous, assertive, confident and clear in
their direction:
-To gain respect of the motoring public while directing traffic safely and
smoothly through the zone.
•Give examples of behavior that is unacceptable:
-Yelling, swearing, hitting cars, etc.
-Being rude, aggressive or cocky will lead to frustration & confusion for
motorist.
55
Discuss basic safety while directing traffic; explain why each point is important for
safety:
•Remain alert at all times, pay attention to traffic, pedestrians and the crew
•Make eye contact with traffic to establish control
•Traffic control paddle must remain static or traffic may ignore it, never leave
a paddle unattended it could fall into the wrong hands
•Never abandon traffic if you must walk away or are finished directing them;
ensure they either stay put or continue in the appropriate lane by directing
them
•If the public tries to use you as an information booth simply tell them you are
unable to help them at this time and ask them to move their vehicle on
56
Explain and demonstrate the proper procedures for stopping traffic.
•Use a paddle to show the correct procedure and ergonomic techniques:
-Slow traffic before stopping, do not suddenly change signals
-Do not twist the traffic control paddle or wave it around unnecessarily, use it
in a static manner
-Hold paddle directly facing traffic
-Hold paddle upright
-Never hit car with a paddle
57
Discuss never walking in front of a vehicle with slow sign displayed and not directing
traffic in the lane until it has been cleared.
•To slow traffic, the traffic control paddle is extended from the body, emphasizing
slow while making eye contact with the driver.
58
Demonstrate and discuss the importance of guiding traffic effectively to prevent
confusion:
•Clearly guide and direct motorists in the direction you wish them to travel.
•Keep traffic moving as smoothly as possible.
•Never assume they will know what to do.
59
Inform participant that the Police Authority may, at their discretion, over ride or
relieve the fire fighter of their traffic control duties. Should this occur ,they are to
step down without question.
This does not mean that you abandon traffic as soon as police arrive, communicate
with police to determine the requirements for traffic control and if they need you to
remain at the scene.
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Discuss road rage and violence. How to avoid it, control it and prevent escalation.
•Remain calm.
•Never retaliate.
•Be professional.
•Call for assistance if you feel threatened.
•If confronted notify incident commander.
•Apologize.
•Keep them moving.
61
Discuss the importance of recording and reporting information involving dangerous
drivers or confrontations in the emergency scene:
•According to the Motor Vehicle Act drivers must obey the directions of a
person directing traffic.
•Record plate numbers and vehicle and driver description.
•Report near misses, actual incidents/accidents and repeat offenders.
•It is important department personnel at the scene warn others when an
erratic driver enters the area.
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Use these slides to review the material covered and jog the memory of participants.
Open the room to discussion and final questions.
•Introduce the exam and describe the format to participants once more. Set
a time limit of 45 minutes max for completion. Stay in the room during the
exam and assist participants with locating information or if they are
struggling.
•Have participants exchange exams and mark as a group. Return exams to
participants for questioning. Be sure to collect them after.
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www.bccsa.ca
t: 604.636.3675 / tf: 1.877.860.3675 / f: 604.636.3676 / e: [email protected]