OFFICER SAFETY AT ACCIDENT SCENES

POLICE

Car 81 Jan. 13, 2008 Forbes Ave.

Vehicle Positioning

• Should be facing oncoming traffic See what’s coming at you Ability to move vehicle if needed

• Best occupant protection Front impact – not T-bone

Activates airbag & seatbelt

• Vehicle’s ability to absorb impact

Vehicle Positioning• Overheads are most visible from the front

– not the side Fewer strobes = better Turn off headlights, takedowns, etc.

Don’t blind oncoming traffic

• If vehicle is the barricade … You become the barricade

• Safest place to be is outside vehicle Allows you to control traffic

PD

Unobstructed view

Best occupant protection

Safest location

Barricades

Create a buffer zone between traffic and officers

PD

•Accident investigators have small # of barricades & cones•Wood barricades available at 1 Union

Buffer zone = reaction time

Personal Safety

• Wear your vest

• Required by OSHA and dept. policy Any time you are in the road

• Identifies you as police officer

POLICE

Maximum visibility

Personal Safety• Use flashlight w/ wand

White gloves

Create maximum visibility

NHPD Light Tower

Use of Light Tower

• Supervisor can request if needed to illuminate the scene

• NHPD: Ofc. Esposito Cell Pager

• NHFD has same unit