
Road traffic collision
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Applying National Operational Guidance to incident types. Identify the knowledge, control measures and actions needed to combat the hazards you face.
Make a safe approach at an appropriate speed and consider wreckage, casualties, fuel spills, animals etc.
Establish the type of road and the status of the affected carriageway (live or closed)
Consider using affected motorway carriageway as a two-way road, following service procedures
Identify the number of passengers, contents, cargo and any hazardous materials information
Identify fuel type (hydrocarbon, LPG, electric, hybrid, hydrogen), fuel spillages and potential ignition sources
Identify vehicle construction materials, pressurised air systems, hydraulics and refrigerants
Survey the vehicle internally and externally for signs of un-deployed vehicle safety systems
Gather information from available sources to gain accurate situational awareness and understanding
Question the responsible person, other responders and witnesses to understand incident factors and history
Ensure that a scene survey is carried out at the earliest opportunity
Access any operational or site specific risk information (SSRI) and confirm accuracy
Debrief personnel that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence and safety-related information
Maintain situational awareness and identify changes during the incident through active monitoring and regular briefings
Consider time of day and effect on transport systems and working environment
Identify the impact of tunnels, bridges, viaducts and flyovers on access, resources and incident plan
Investigate the scene looking for indicators of occupancy considering seating and standing capacities
Consider vehicles with sleeping compartments and the potential for stowaways
Contact commercial vehicle operators to obtain passenger numbers and cargo information
Identify any hazardous materials signage and other indicators as part of scene survey
Use local knowledge to aid navigation to an incident
Ensure that tracks and pathways are suitable for fire service vehicles
Consider the least damaging routes to incidents and where possible, stay on marked paths and tracks
Consider Step 1-2-3 Plus: Safety Triggers for Emergency Personnel
Access past, present and future weather information from sources such as the Met Office
Establish the availability of pre-arranged evacuation strategies and policies
Consider pollution prevention information contained within site specific risk plans
Seek advice from landowners and other bodies on susceptible areas of the environment
Review situational awareness following an emergency evacuation or tactical withdrawal
Consider requesting external specialist resources appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Request medical support at rescue incidents as soon as a need is identified
Confirm that required agencies have been requested or notified (e.g. Police, Ambulance, environmental agencies)
Request sufficient and appropriate additional resources
Consider requesting appropriate specialist advice
Consider requesting specialist resources from own or neighbouring fire and rescue services, or partner agencies
Inform and/or seek advice from environment agencies and/or sewage undertakers where necessary
Consider whether operational resources can be released from the incident
Regularly update the fire control room on the availability status of operational resources
Ensure that all appropriate environmental agencies are informed of the incident when required
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Consider requesting appropriate facilities for the welfare of personnel
Consider the availability of pollution control equipment and/or pollution containment facilities on site
Make use of specialist fire and rescue service or on-site environmental protection equipment
Consider the appointment of a HMA (or equivalent) to oversee environmental protection activities
Position appliances to fend-off vehicles and use warning signs, lights and cones
Ensure fire and rescue service vehicles display warning devices appropriate to their position on the roadway
Liaise with the police and other relevant agencies to close roads or establish traffic management systems
Seek assistance from the police or other relevant responder agency to secure a safe working area
Consider implementing reverse access procedures to SMART or ALR motorways
Appoint suitably competent personnel at safety officers
Establish, identify and communicate safe traffic routes, establish clear zones and equipment points
Identify isolation points for alternative fuel vehicles (AFV)
Consider marking alternative fuel vehicles to make responders aware of the associated hazards
Ensure vehicle power or fuel source is isolated by removing keys or operate emergency shut-offs when safe to do so
Disconnect vehicle battery considering the operation of any powered systems (e.g. windows, seats)
Consider vehicle fuel lines and high voltage cables when planning stabilisation and extrication
Avoid any contact with live electrical power systems or wear appropriate PPE (e.g. electrical gloves)
Provide extinguishing media and control ignition sources where fuel is not contained
Identify materials and systems used within a vehicle and communicate to all emergency responders
Identify and communicate hazards relating to pressurised systems to all responders
Restrict entry to the passenger cell until hazards have been assessed and controlled
Provide sharps protection to responders and casualties around deformed metal and broken glass
Establish the contents of the vehicle and the potential effect on fire service operations
Identify the likely direction of travel for any loads that may move
Consider removing or stabilising vehicle contents if they are likely to hamper response
Consider extrication methods which do not require the use of tools or equipment
Ensure that personnel have access to the appropriate PPE
Identify bodies of water, unstable ground and risks of falling from height in working environment
Consider the effect of weather conditions and time of day on the working environment
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Implement measures to maintain access and egress during the incident
Establish, identify and communicate safe traffic routes, establish clear zones and equipment points
Provide lighting to illuminate hazards to personnel in poorly lit environments
Ensure that personnel have access to the appropriate PPE
Consider task rotation when personnel are carrying out manual handling tasks
Manage their working environment and workload to mitigate the effects of stress and fatigue, and to optimise their personal resilience
Consider using machinery or other equipment to assist with manual handling
Request additional or specialist resources to assist with manual handling tasks
Consider the task, individual capabilities, load and environment (TILE) when carrying out risk assessments for manual handling
Ensure personnel adopt the provided safe system of manual handling
Comply with service protocols when handling substances that are hazardous to health
Ensure personnel cover open wounds, cuts and grazes with a waterproof dressing prior to operational activity
Comply with hygiene arrangements and do not eat, drink, smoke or vape
Restrict the access of persons to premises or a place if they reasonably believe an emergency to have occurred
Why? | Expectations? | Benefit vs Risk? |
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Maintain the safety of all personnel, other responders and the public
Save life and reduce harm
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Minimise the impact of the incident and fire service actions on any identified environmental risk
Consider the JESIP principles at all incidents involving multi-agency operations
Consider taking action to prevent a serious escalation of the incident
Stabilise life threatening injuries or conditions and maintain casualty care throughout incident
Develop and communicate immediate release, emergency and full extrication plans
Carry out a dynamic risk assessment, identify hazards, evaluate risk and implement safe systems of work
Declare the tactical mode and communicate to personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Carry out and formally record analytical risk assessments at suitable intervals
Establish emergency arrangements appropriate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Apply the firefighter safety maxim and safe person principles at incidents
Identify and communicate the hazard area and establish a safe working area as soon as is practicable
Use situational awareness to anticipate the likely development of the incident and evaluate the potential consequences of a range of actions
Develop and communicate an incident plan to relevant personnel, including the fire control room
Regularly review and update incident plan in response to active monitoring of the situation against expected outcomes
Review the tactical mode following active monitoring and briefings with sector commanders
Periodically review the analytical risk assessment using situational awareness from active monitoring
Apply the joint decision model process to ensure effective joint decision-making at multi-agency incident
Identify the need to evacuate and develop a strategy in liaison with partner agencies
Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Carry out an environmental risk assessment and monitor the impact of tactics on the identified risk
Stabilise the vehicle and create initial access to casualties
Consider the management of any glass that might affect rescue operations
Extricate the casualty considering their injuries and overall threat to life
Gain access to premises causing minimal damage considering the urgency of the situation
Establish and resource a casualty care point
Determine whether people should be advised to evacuate, shelter in place or 'stay put'
When evacuation is necessary, identify the number of people affected and develop a plan
Share situational awareness and establish a joint understanding of risk with other agencies
Debrief personnel that have withdrawn from a working area during an incident to gain operational intelligence and safety-related information
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
Ensure that all personnel are briefed on the current hazards, risks, control measures and tactical mode
Communicate the incident situation to other responders via fire control using the M\ETHANE message protocol
Provide a structured brief when handing over and taking over command
Communicate findings of analytical risk assessment to all personnel and other agencies
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Establish and maintain an incident ground communication plan considering other agencies and remote resources
Ensure communication systems are effective in subsurface and tunnel environments
Identify the safest access route, rendezvous points (RVPs) and marshalling areas, and communicate to all responders and the fire control room
Communicate any change in the tactical mode of a sector of the incident to personnel at the incident ground and in the fire control room
Communicate objectives, priorities and tactics to be adopted in resolving the incident
Deliver clear, concise and timely briefings to crews, command support functions and other agencies
Regularly pass information to fire control regarding incident progress
Establish an appropriate muster point and communicate its location to all personnel, and other responders if present
Ensure that all appropriate environmental agencies are informed of the incident when required
Use the most effective methods for communicating with people who are either directly or indirectly involved in the incident
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Form their command structure in accordance with the priorities and demands of an incident
Ensure that appropriate inner and outer cordons are established and communicated following an assessment of risk to all people present
Control access to the inner cordon using methods proportionate to the type, size and complexity of the incident
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities
Instigate a tactical withdrawal of personnel when the mode changes from offensive to defensive
Appoint competent safety officers to monitor specific hazards or activities
Consider preservation of evidence when planning, communicating and implementing tactics
Ensure that hazards are identified when handing over responsibility for safety to the responsible person
Ensure that effective supervision of operational activity is maintained until the conclusion of the incident
Instigate and co-operate with post incident investigations where necessary
Ensure that hazards, potential hazards and control measures are identified when handing over responsibility for health and safety to the responsible person
Consider taking appropriate steps to secure premises or vehicles after access or entry has been gained by force
Consider the welfare or shelter arrangements for people directly or indirectly affected by the incident
Consider whether operational resources can be released from the incident
Conduct an inventory check and record any defects or deficiencies
Consider decontamination of personnel, PPE and equipment prior to redeployment
Consider the condition and serviceability of PPE when assessing operational readiness for redeployment
Secure the scene to ensure evidence is preserved for internal and external investigations
Gather relevant information for the incident recording system
When appropriate instigate a review of existing guidance following the use of operational discretion
Ensure differences in information are resolved and systems updated following the closure of an incident
Compile and secure all incident command paperwork (e.g. analytical risk assessment and decision logs)
Ensure that waste products created by the fire and rescue service are disposed of legally and responsibly
Follow service protocols for reporting concerns about the mental or physical well-being of themselves or other individuals