westmoreland ny sop for thruway ops

limited access highway ... freeway ... interstate highway ... super
highway ... expressway

westmorelandfire.com/custom.html?id=16718

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WESTMORELAND, NEW YORK 13490

315-853-6884



Standard Operating Guidelines



Thruway Operations

Purpose:

To establish response and operation guidelines for fire and medical
incidents on the New York State Thruway.



Policy:

A. The Westmoreland Fire Department shall follow these
guidelines for the response criteria for both fire and medical
emergencies on the Thruway.



B. The fire department shall follow these operational guidelines
for emergency incidents on the Thruway to insure the proper handling
of the incident and safety of the personnel.



Response:

Fire Control shall dispatch the response for the Thruway according to
the response criteria established by the individual volunteer fire
department covering that portion of the Thruway. No personally owned
vehicles are allowed except chief vehicles.



A. Dispatch for MVA

1. Engine 1

2. Rescue 1

3. Fire Police



B. Dispatch for Vehicle Fires

1. Engine 1

2. Engine 5

3. Tanker 7

4. Fire Police



C. Dispatch for Medical Emergencies

1. Emergencies at Oneida Service Area use Access Road; key for
gate is in apparatus Rescue 2.

2. Medical emergencies on the highway respond with Rescue 1.



Procedure:

A. Upon Arrival:

1. Give standard condition report, which should also include the
exact location of the incident.



2. If other responding apparatus are approaching from an opposite
direction, every effort should be made to inform the other responding
apparatus of the best approach.



3. If possible, place apparatus between the emergency scene and
the oncoming traffic (for protection).



4. Place apparatus out of the flow of spilled chemicals,
flammable liquids and run-off water (normally this would be upgrade
and upwind from the incident).



5. Request the response of the police and coordinate with them
upon their arrival.



B. Safety:

1. During thruway operations, personnel shall wear a minimum of
regular protective clothing and be guided by the fire department
protective clothing policy.



2. If possible, place apparatus between oncoming traffic and the
emergency (to provide protection for personnel operating on the
scene).



3. Personnel should constantly remain cognizant of traffic and
shall exercise caution when operating at the scene.



4. Personnel should be aware of the topography of the section of
the Thruway on which they are operating. This can affect the flow of
flammable and hazardous materials.



5. Personnel must be aware that storm drains on the Thruway and
run-off may lead into sewers or small streams that could spread
contamination.



C. Water Sources:

Fire officers should be cognizant of the lack of water sources on the
Thruway and should consider alternative means of obtaining water:



1. Tank on fire apparatus.



2. Additional engines.



3. Hydrant on surface streets adjacent to the Thruway.



4. Relay pumping.



5. Tankers with portable dump tanks.



6. Responding apparatus will not go on the wrong side of traffic
unless thruway has been shut down in that direction of travel.