Linear Positioning - Traffic Incident Management

MUTCD requiresLE, F/R, EMS &T&R establish aMUTCD-compliant“Traffic IncidentManagement Area”

Linear/Block Tactical PositioningLinear Positioning: This means that incidentresponder vehicles are positioned in a straight lineat the incident scene.Block Positioning: This means that incidentresponder vehicles are positioned at angles thatcreate a protected work area for responders andvehicle occupants.

If you decide to “work it,” then it’s either‘Linear’ or ‘Block’ Traffic Incident Management

A ‘Linear’ tow truckservice call

A ‘Linear’ EMS callin a residentialneighborhood

A very dangerous‘Linear’ EMS incident3-9

3-9

Incident Considerations• Since it is not possible to remove the vehicle occupantvia the driver’s door, this will have to be accomplishedthrough the passenger side, meaning that EMSresponders will be directly exposed to moving trafficsince no lanes have been closed.• Think about how they would have had to remove thelong board and bring it to the patient.

Lane +1 BlockingTo increasesafety, use the“Lane + 1”Blocking Protocolinitially tocreate anadequate“buffer”for responders

By the very nature of ourwork, F/R & EMS need…“Lane + 1” Blocking

Progressively Re-open LanesTake only as many lanes as youneed, for only as long as you needthem. As the incident is cleared, lanescan progressively be re-opened.

Vehiclefirefightingalso requires“Lane + 1”BlockingFire ApparatusSafe Positioning

Safe Positioning begins with a ‘Block’

“Blocking ” is theaction ofpositioninga vehicleat an angle tohalt the flowof moving trafficin one or morelanes.

Large, heavy fire apparatus providethe best ‘Blocks’

Blocking creates aprotected Work Area

Lane + 1 BlockingRemember, the shouldercounts as a lane.

Critical Wheel AngleCritical Wheel Angle

If this is how youposition apparatus andallow your personnel tooperate while workingin or near movingtraffic….. You will benext on the LODD list!