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Operating Safety At Highway Incidents
Working at the scene of an accident is a highly dangerous place for responders to operate. Before personnel start prying doors, stabilizing vehicles, or opening the airway to a trapped victim, they must arrive on scene safely. The final outcome depends on what the team is able to successfully complete in the safest, yet shortest, time possible. When responding to an accident, or any other call, responding personnel size-up the incident by determining how many vehicles are involved, what time of day it is, weather conditions, and so on.
In addition to the above criteria, response to an interstate requires additional information: is the accident in the inside lane, the outside lane, or maybe from shoulder to shoulder? Are there eighteen wheelers involved, or hazardous chemicals? If extrication is required, will it be heavy extrication requiring specialized crews to assist? When arriving on scene, responders must cover the scene as best they can. If only a couple of lanes are involved, traffic will probably be flowing at well above the posted speed limit. Park the apparatus so it blocks as much traffic as possible. Work with law enforcement and highway emergency units to make the incident flow better.
Upon arrival, determine what needs to be done to make the scene safe. A good clear size up is very important. Call for any additional units immediately. If only a couple of lanes are involved, traffic will probably be flowing at well above the posted speed limit. Park the apparatus so it blocks as much traffic as possible. The first unit on scene should park in a way that provides the greatest coverage of protection to the involved area in which responders will work. Have additional arriving units continue to extend the safety area. For a small cost, place a stack of cones on each emergency unit. These need to be large cones, not small 12-inch obstacle course cones. Traffic cones alone offer no true protection, but they do add to responders' visibility.
Turns, hills, or other obstacles may obscure responders' line of site. Positioning of apparatus is up to each officer. The equipment must be available. A little more distance between the scene and the apparatus may be required to guarantee a safe work zone when spotting trucks. Parking at the crest of the hill or just at the entrance of a curve to allow oncoming vehicles to see you may not be the best place for equipment utilization, but for overall scene safety it may be necessary.
Ensure your personnel are dressed to be as visible as possible. Reflective coats work much better than turnout gear. Responders can wear a vest over the turnout coat for the increased visibility while maintaining the protection regular firefighting gear provides. Helmets are a must regardless of what task you are assigned. One problem that isn't as easy to handle is limited sight distance.
When law enforcement arrives, meet with the officer and let him know your needs. This briefing falls under the command system and allows law enforcement to take any actions necessary to assist fire and EMS units in extending the safety zone. Work with law enforcement and highway emergency units to make the incident flow better.
It is only after we are safe, that we can carry out our jobs to concentrate on the victim, perform quality care, control hazards, and begin extrication. The possibility of losing one of our own due to negligence is unacceptable.
Jess Zerbe is a lieutenant/paramedic with the City of Marietta (GA) Fire Department. From 1985 to 1997, Zerbe was with the Cedar Hammock Fire Department, holding the positions of senior lieutenant, fire officer instructor, fire inspector instructor, and EMT.
