A Lesson in Physics

Four of the 23 firefighters killed in vehicle collisions in 2005 were driving or riding in tenders (or tankers as they are known in some departments).¹ This figure is in line with previous years: a) vehicle collisions are the second-leading cause of death for firefighters and b) tenders continue to be the No. 2 vehicle firefighters are driving or riding in when they are killed (personally owned vehicles are No. 1).²

Near-Miss Report No. 06-415 takes us to a winding road where an inexperienced tender operator gets a hard lesson in physics. This report is similar to the four fatality reports on nearly all counts. The major difference between the fatality reports and this near-miss report: The driver in this near-miss report leaves the scene unharmed, not in a medical examiner’s van.

Event Description

“While responding to a mutual-aid grass fire in our tanker, the driver, a younger rookie with no driving experience, was approaching a series of curves a little too fast. He tried taking the 90-degree curve at 55 mph. When he realized the tanker was unstable, he slammed on the brakes in the middle of the curve. Our tanker got on two tires and did a 180 until the water in the tank pushed us back on four tires, then back onto the other two tires. When we came to a rest on four tires, we were blocking two lanes of traffic. The driver walked back to the station.”

Lessons Learned

“Do not drive too fast. Water in a tank does not stop when you slam on the brakes.”

Comments

Near misses such as Report No. 06-415 have been fodder for kitchen table discussions for years, and the consequences of such driving vary from department to department. At some departments, a driver would be subjected to ribbing, while at other departments, their driving status would be immediately revoked. A clear, consistent mandate to uniformly correct unsafe driving simply does not exist. In fact, a “no harm, no foul” attitude seems to pervade the industry, especially because such incidents often only involve the driver.

We cannot overlook the common factors associated with incidents like this one. For one, the driver was driving too fast to negotiate the curve and slammed on the brakes to maintain control-two indicators of inexperience. Second, between 8 and 12 tons of water were propelled around the inside of the tank as the driver entered the curve; even the best of baffled tanks cannot overcome the laws of physics for an 8- to 12-ton body in motion. Third, the driver had no driving experience. NFPA 1002: Standard for Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator clearly states that emergency apparatus drivers must be familiar with the type of apparatus they are certified to drive and demonstrate driving proficiency. Lastly, was the driver wearing a seatbelt? This is not clear in the report. There are two simple actions emergency vehicle operators can take to ensure the safety of the public we serve and ourselves: Buckle up and slow down.

As we do each month, let’s explore several strategies for preventing a near miss like this one from occurring in your department. Although the focus is on a tender, these recommendations apply to all types of apparatus (engines, aerials, heavy rescues, etc.).

1) Preparation-Fire departments should implement NFPA 1002 as the minimum standard for all driver/operators.

• All apparatus drivers should complete an emergency vehicle operator’s course.
• All apparatus drivers should be evaluated annually on their driving skills for each type of apparatus they are certified to drive.
• Fire departments should conduct at least one drill per month on driver safety. The drills should focus on the following topics: state and local motor vehicle laws; department SOPs; and apparatus-operating features (e.g., engine brakes, specifications, handling in different weather and road surfaces, in-station maintenance and inspection requirements).

2) Prevention-Here are seven principles for maximizing safety on the road. Although the list is far from comprehensive, fire departments can use it as a starting point as they build programs that ensure safe apparatus operations.

• All fire department members should complete a comprehensive didactic and practical training program before being allowed to drive any vehicle in the department’s fleet. There should be a specific and detailed program for each type of apparatus.
• Apparatus driver training should include the Department of Transportation’s vehicle inspection procedure. Check out www.VFIS.com for some exceptional downloadable training programs on apparatus driving, vehicle inspection and preventive maintenance.
• All apparatus should be weighed to ensure the gross vehicle weight (GVW) does not exceed the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). If the vehicle exceeds the rating, it should immediately have its weight reduced to ensure the axles, tires and brakes can safely handle the vehicle’s load.
• All apparatus should be part of a comprehensive preventive maintenance program. Dollars spent on preventive maintenance have proven the most effective means of preventing safety problems and extending vehicle life.
• All apparatus should be staffed with a minimum of two personnel when responding to an emergency. While this may be wishful thinking, two heads are better than one; two sets of eyes see more than one; four ears hear more than two … you get the picture.
• All members should be trained in the principles of crew resource management (CRM). Our report this month suggests there was a second person in the cab. Studies have demonstrated that this second person probably sensed something was wrong but was afraid to speak up because of culture or bias. CRM teaches principles that improve chances of survival and minimize the effects of error.
• Consider cold response for tenders. Many accident reports cite “excessive” speed that could be more appropriately translated to “excited” speed. Traditionally, we have placed an enormous amount of stress on getting to the scene of an emergency fast. But how many of our responses are truly emergencies? What good are we if we are wheels-up in a ditch?

Conclusion

In reviewing this report and others at www.firefighternearmiss.com, human factors continue to lead the list in contributing factors. As such, we must place a greater emphasis on accountability (from fire chief to apparatus operator), ensuring driver competency, maintaining situational awareness and staying focused on the mission. This should help reduce the number of incidents involving fire apparatus.

¹ U.S. Fire Administration, “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States in 2005.” U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Washington, D.C.

² U.S. Fire Administration, “Firefighter Fatality Retrospective Study.” Tri-Data, Arlington.