Introductions
Purpose and scope
Traffic incidents are the highest risk, highest frequency activity (other than being out of shape)
Generally training and protocols for traffic management are weak in fire/ems
MUTCD: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices
Link: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/
Document itself: https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/kno_2009r1r2.htm
MUTCD is really the requirement for how traffic control is managed
If you don't comply with the methods in the MUTCD, increase in liability and danger to the public
Available for free online (link!), reference Part 6: Temporary Traffic Control. Section 6 I covers incident management
Principles of traffic management
Life safety
Naturally - protect the incident, keep traffic from crashing as you work
Management of the incident
Traffic control needs to actually permit the incident to work
Take lanes as needed, you need adequate space to work the incident
Quick clearance/restoration of traffic flow
Why is this a priority?
Reduces potential for secondary incidents
Allows effective flow of goods and services and people
It makes a genuine difference in the local industries etc.
Planning for traffic incidents
Understand the priority and need to be prepared
Yeah, traffic control gear isn't going to boost your ISO rating or is as cool
Develop effective SOGs and SOPs
Plans need to be comprehensive
Consistent with the MUTCD
Train the membership - members need to be confident and competent for managing traffic
Rehearse methods, techniques and protocols
Practice flagging traffic and communicating
Personal Protective Equipment
Combine visibility, protection and comfort
Keep function and specific PPE in mind
Fire incidents: need appropriate fire PPE
Extrication: need appropriate extrication PPE (bunkers, tecgens, etc)
Visibility
ANSI 207: Covers reflective/high vis PPE
Class 2: torso only, vest-style
Example: http://amzn.to/2zeGGoT
Class 3: shirt or vest+pants
Example: http://amzn.to/2zfrTu5
Certain rules for when each class is OK
Class 3 is recommended, be prepared for any incident
Public Safety Vest: similar to Class 2/3, somewhat more identifiable by type (specific by agency or something, red trim for fire, blue for LE, etc)
Example: http://amzn.to/2zu9tXd, http://amzn.to/2zuamiv, http://amzn.to/2ze0kRD, http://amzn.to/2zrPKHH
Standard ensemble
Vest
Helmet
Eye protection
Sturdy shoes
Bunker gear??
Equipment
Cones
Specifications are in the MUTCD
ORANGE IN COLOR
Generally you want >28"
18" min if you are ONLY working low speed, low volume roads
Bigger is better, more visible and safer for traffic operation
Reflective bands
Why are cones preferred:
Safer
No fire risk
Easy to place
Reusable
Well-recognized by the public
Example: http://amzn.to/2yszVC3
Fusees/Pyrotechnic flares
Good tool for channelizing and marking traffic control
Work great at night, particularly with stormy or foggy weather
MUTCD permits for temporary use or to supplement the use of cones
Supplementing use
Cone - flare - cone
Flare lights the reflective collars on the cones
Considerable risk of fire
Not as straight-forward to use
Smoke, nasty chemicals, etc
Not reusable
Be careful which ones you buy: pick burn times and such logically
We recommend 30 min flares
15 min tends to be too short for fire incident ops, watch out for 5-10 min forest surplus backfiring fusees
45 or 60 min options aren't bad, but lower flexibility
LED Flares / Glow sticks
An OK alternative to fusees
Tend not to be as bright
Can be more expensive
Not very durable
Can confuse road users
Chemlights aren't reusable
Signs
Fluorescent pink signs available as advance warning signs
Great option to help alert traffic without committing an apparatus to be visible without other function
Somewhat inexpensive
Very effective
Arrow Boards / traffic advisor bars
Not a bad options to help direct traffic
Some options now as magnetic onto the back of trucks
Integrated traffic advisors in many light bars
Truck-mounted attenuators
A cool option for your blocking vehicle
Use a dump truck or a tender
Add a crash attenuator cushion
Stops the crashing vehicle, absorbs impact, replaceable wear item
Far more cost effective than using first line apparatus for blocking
TMA: $100,000 tops, can be cheaper if you get used highway department stuff or add an attenuator to a tender
Fire engine: $250,000+
Traffic Incident Management
TIM's for short
Federal program sort of thing, attempting to unify traffic management between LE and Fire and DOT and everyone else involved in the process
Work with your local DOT (state, county, city)
Great resources online to help guide how incidents can be managed and best practices
Federal website link: https://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/eto_tim_pse/about/tim.htm
TIM Training website: http://www.respondersafety.com/default.aspx
Ohio Highway Patrol crash: https://www.facebook.com/OhioStateHighwayPatrol/videos/1555195641240865/
Next episode
Setting up TC
Components
Managing Traffic
Flagging
Take-down
Support and contact!
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