USFA, supported by the U.S. Department of Justice National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and in partnership with the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association's (CVVFA) Emergency Responder Safety Institute, has initiated a study of emergency vehicle markings, lighting, and design to recommend best practices for increased visibility to approaching motorists.
The goal of this study is to develop best practices in the application of various chevron patterns, creative use of reflective decal markings, new arrangements of warning lights, and other innovative designs - all with the intent of increasing the visibility of the emergency vehicles to motorists approaching them. This study will focus on emergency vehicles not covered by existing standards on this area.
Read the Emergency Vehicle Visibility Press Release »
A civilian motorist using a driver simulator during a roadway safety outreach session.
This initiative examines the development of advanced technology and systems that will permit nationwide sharing of lessons learned among transportation, public safety, and emergency personnel enabling them to more effectively and safely respond to roadway incidents. It brings together advocacy for effective highway incident management and training of emergency response personnel. This effort will also study the feasibility of applying technologies to improve highway incident management and responder safety.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) is working with the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association's (CVVFA) Emergency Responder Safety Institute to enhance the operational safety of emergency responders on the highways. This on-going effort has resulted in the development of:
USFA received support for this initiative from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and most recently from the US Department of Justice (DOJ) National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP). Having DOJ, DOT, and USFA work together in enhancing roadway operations safety will benefit law enforcement, highway workers, and the fire service community alike.
National Public Service Announcement Urges Motorists to "Slow Down and Move Over"
A national Public Service Announcement (PSA), produced by the Delaware City (DE) Fire Company and Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association (CVVFA), educates the public about dangers associated with passing responders working on the roadways by urging motorists to "slow down and move over." The PSA project was launched at the request of the Delaware City Fire Company following the tragic death of Firefighter/EMT Michelle Smith, who was struck while rendering aid at an accident in December of 2008. The CVVFA produced the PSA under a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Fire Administration, with funding from the Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Move Over laws require motorists, if possible, to move at least a lane away from firefighters, law enforcement, ambulances, tow trucks, and transportation workers. If that is not possible, drivers must slow down and proceed with caution.
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Highway Administration worked in partnership with the International Fire Service Training Association (IFSTA) on a traffic incident management study. The goals of this study were to enhance the safety of firefighters and other emergency responders working on the roadway and increase operational effectiveness at roadway incidents, including compliance with the latest edition of the DOT's Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) (PDF, 26.5 Mb). The MUTCD provides guidance on traffic operations at emergency incidents that occur on Federally funded roadways.
This project examined the latest technologies, training, and operational practices for effective traffic incident management. Findings were used to update the USFA manual, Traffic Incident Management Systems. This manual provides technical and training program information for fire and emergency service providers and includes case studies of roadway incidents that have taken the lives of firefighters, highway scene safety survival basics, incident command for roadway incidents, and examples of effective TIMS programs. Information on the American National Standards Institute/ International Safety Equipment Association (ANSI/ISEA) standard 207, High Visibility Public Safety Vests, is provided.
Implementing an effective TIMS could have an impact on reducing the number of firefighters struck and killed by vehicles while performing emergency operations.
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Traffic Incident Management Systems (PDF, 5 Mb)
Fire Service Traffic Control Personnel Setting up Traffic Cones on Roadway
USFA and the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Firemen's Association's (CVVFA) Emergency Responder Safety Institute collaborated on a study to examine effective recruitment and retention methods and techniques for Fire Service Traffic Control Volunteers, referred to in some areas of the United States as Fire Police. This study examined the recruitment of non-active fire service response support personnel (i.e., former firefighters and other emergency responders, etc.) and citizen volunteers (especially those that would volunteer under the Fire Corps program), as well as effective techniques to retain members currently serving in this role.
The study, supported by Fire Corps, illustrates the important services that these emergency support volunteers can provide.
As part of this study, a review and demonstration project was conducted. Project results are contained in a manual that establishes guidelines for the training and use of volunteers as Traffic Control Volunteers to protect responders and the public at crashes, fires, or at special events in the community. This manual, Developing Traffic Control Assistant Training Programs (PDF, 1.7 Mb), provides information to assist in the establishment and management of these valuable units within a fire or police department. Information developed from this study will be incorporated into products to support recruitment and retention of Fire Service Traffic Control Volunteers and disseminated via the ResponderSafety.com website.
Last Reviewed: August 3, 2012
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