This Procedure Provides Instructions Concerning the Operation of Authorized Emergency Vehicles

Purpose

This procedure provides instructions concerning the operation of authorized emergency vehicles by members of the department.

Scope

This procedure applies to all emergency vehicles operated by the department, including Personally Owned Vehicles (POV).

South Carolina Law [56-5-170] recognizes vehicles belonging to volunteer fire departments, and POV’s transporting volunteer firefighters to an actual emergency as Authorized Emergency Vehicles.

Code 1, Non- Emergency Responses

1.  A Code 1 response is required for those incidents that do not pose a significant risk to life or property.

2.  The Incident Commander, or responding officer may upgrade a Code 1 response to Code 3, if it becomes apparent to the officer that a significant risk to life or property has developed.

3.  Lights and sirens shall not be used during non-emergency responses.

4.  Automotive horns and hazard flashers shall not be used to request the right of way or hurry other motorists during non-emergency responses.

5.  Apparatus and POV’s engaged in a non-emergency response shall obey all applicable traffic safety rules and regulations and shall not exceed the posted speed limit.

6.  Short-cuts shall not be taken through parking lots in order to avoid a traffic signal during non-emergency responses.

Code 2 Responses

1.  A Code 2 response involves the use of lights only.

2.  No emergency vehicle operated by the department, will be permitted to use a Code 2 response, including POV’s.

3.  The privileges granted to emergency vehicles under SC law do not apply unless lights and siren are in operation.

Code 3, Emergency Responses

1.  A Code 3 response is required for those incidents that pose a significant risk to life or property.

2.  The Incident Commander, or responding officer should downgrade a Code 3 response to Code 1, if the officer determines that a significant risk to life or property no longer exists.

3.  Only those persons approved by the Fire Chief are authorized to respond Code 3.

4.  Only those persons listed on the Approved Driver List are authorized to drive department vehicles.

5.  Lights and sirens conforming to South Carolina Law [56-5-4700 and 4970] must be in continuous use during emergency responses. Automotive horns and hazard flashers are not acceptable substitutes for the required warning equipment.

6.  Apparatus and POV’s engaged in an emergency response shall at all times govern their response by the traffic, weather, and road conditions present at the time of response.

7.  The maximum speed limit shall not be exceeded by more than 15 mph.

8.  During an emergency response, drivers shall bring their vehicles to a complete stop for any of the following:

A.  When directed by a law enforcement officer.

B.  Stop signs and red traffic signals. A rolling-stop is permitted only when the road is clear of any other vehicles.

C.  Negative right-of-way intersections.

D.  Blind intersections.

E.  When the driver cannot account for all lanes of traffic in an intersection.

F.  When other intersection hazards are present.

G.  When encountering a stopped school bus with stop sign displayed, or a school crossing zone when children are present. The driver shall proceed when signaled by the bus driver or school crossing guard.

9.  Drivers shall proceed through an intersection only when the driver can account for all lanes of traffic in the intersection.

10. Drivers shall be prepared to stop at all unguarded railroad crossings and shall not cross the tracks until determining that it is safe to do so.

11. One emergency vehicle should not pass another responding emergency vehicle.

Backing Practices (Apparatus Only)

1.  Backing should be avoided if at all possible.

2.  A spotter shall be used when one is available.

3.  The driver and spotter must establish and maintain eye contact in the left rear view mirror at all times.

4.  The spotter should wear turnout gear, or a reflective vest to increase their visibility to approaching motorists.

5.  If no spotter is available, the driver is required to get out of the vehicle and perform a walk-around inspection of the area around the vehicle.

6.  The driver shall give two short warning blasts of the air horns immediately prior to backing.

7.  If the vehicle is to be backed from, or into a roadway, all warning lights should be used.

Hose Loading Policy

Personnel involved in hose loading operations are permitted to ride on the moving apparatus, as long as the following conditions are met:

1.  There shall be an individual, other than those loading hose, assigned as a safety observer. The safety observer should have an unobstructed view of the hose loading operation and be in visual and voice contact with the apparatus driver.

2.  Non-fire department vehicular traffic should be excluded from the area or should be under the control of authorized traffic control personnel.

3.  The fire apparatus should only be driven in the forward direction, and no more than 5 mph.

4.  No personnel should be allowed to stand on the tailboard, running boards, or any other location on the apparatus while it is in motion.

5.  Personnel may be in the hose bed, but should not be standing while the apparatus is in motion.

Persons Riding in Emergency Vehicles

1.  No driver shall move a vehicle until all persons in it are seated in an approved riding position with seat belts properly secured.

2.  Firefighters should don protective clothing prior to boarding the apparatus.

3.  No one shall be allowed to ride in an apparatus unless they are a member of the department, or have obtained permission from the Fire Chief to ride as an observer. The authority to grant this permission may not be delegated.

4.  The driver, and all passengers responding in POV’s shall wear seat belts.

5.  Firefighters responding in their POV should not respond Code 3 if any of their passengers is not a member of the department.

Responsibilities

1.  Drivers shall be directly responsible for the safe and prudent operation of their vehicles in all situations.

2.  The driver’s first priority shall be for the safe arrival of the emergency vehicle at the emergency scene.

3.  The driver shall be aware of his rate of closure on other vehicles and pedestrians.

4.  A safe following distance is to be established and maintained, allowing 1 second of following distance for every 10 feet of vehicle length for speeds under 40 mph. One additional second should be added for every 10 mph over 40 mph.

5.  When a driver is under the direct supervision of an officer, the officer shall assume responsibility for the actions of the driver and shall be responsible for immediately correcting any unsafe condition. Additionally, the officer shall:

A.  operate the radio and communications equipment during the response.

B.  operate the audible and visual warning devices.

C.  assist the driver in intersections and backing.

SOP-602 / Page 4 of 4 / Rev. 0 09/04/01