SOP Manual - Cleveland Fire Department

Cleveland Fire Department
Operations Manual
Intersections
Intersections are the most dangerous areas to approach during an emergency response. The following
special precautions shall be observed by all responding vehicles.
A. When an emergency vehicle must use center or oncoming traffic lanes to approach controlled
intersections, (traffic light or stop sign) they will come to a complete stop before proceeding
through the intersection.
B. When approaching a controlled intersection (stop sign or traffic light) with a negative right-of-way
(red light or stop sign), the maximum permissible speed will be five (5) MPH and be prepared to
stop and only proceed after the driver can account for all oncoming traffic in all lanes yielding the
right-of-way.
C. The maximum allowable speed through any intersection shall be the posted legal speed limit.
D. Although many intersections are now equipped with preemption devices which will change the
signal to give the apparatus the only green light, it does not give the responding apparatus absolute
right of way.
Passing Vehicles
A. Emergency Vehicles
During an emergency response, fire apparatus should avoid other emergency vehicles. If passing is
necessary, permission will be obtained through radio communications and passing only when safe
to do so.
B. Other Vehicles
Operators of emergency vehicles are allowed to pass other vehicles in a no passing zone (this
includes highway markings such as a double yellow line, etc.) only after they have pulled to the
side of the road and yielded to the emergency vehicle and the operator has a clear view of the road
ahead.
Driver Attention
A. The Driver/Operator shall focus his/her full attention on the safe operation of the vehicle. The sole
responsibility of the Driver/Operator during an emergency response is to drive in safe manner. The
Driver/Operator shall not operate the radio, lights, sirens, or any other equipment unless they are
the sole occupant of the vehicle. Operation of these devices shall be the responsibility of the
Company Officer or the firefighter acting in that capacity.
Drivers of Command vehicles and/or tankers are exempt from this requirement if there is only one
person in the front seat of the vehicle. Drivers of these vehicles shall exercise extreme caution
when it is necessary to operate equipment.
B. The unique hazards of driving on or adjacent to the fire ground or incident scene requires the
driver to use extreme caution to be alert and prepared to react to the unexpected. Drivers must
consider the dangers their moving poses to fire ground personnel and spectators who may be
preoccupied with the emergency, and may inadvertently step in front of or behind a moving
vehicle.
Effective: June 1, 1997 Revised: 5/14/2009 Page | 265
Approved by: Chief Chuck Atchley