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Slide 2 VEHICLE SAFETY INSTITUTE BACKING UP Slide 3 General Principles The following guidelines and instructions are endorsed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The fact that these procedures are utilized by safety personnel speaks to their effectiveness and standard practice. Slide 4 General Principles Avoid backing if you can. Never be in a hurry when backing. Try to find someone to act as a spotter. Slide 5 General Principles If there is no spotter available: o Reconsider backing up. Is it really necessary? o Get out and walk around the vehicle. Complete a "circle of safety. Be sure to check overhead clearance. o Give a final warning of two horn blasts just prior to backing. Slide 6 Driver Responsibilities (when using a spotter) Bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Open the window completely. Make visual and verbal contact with the spotter: If you cannot see or hear the spotter, do not backup! Establish and continue eye contact with the spotter in the left rear view mirror at all times. Slide 7 Driver Responsibilities (when using a spotter) Give a two blast warning on the horn just prior to backing. Have a thorough knowledge of spotter hand signals. (Well cover these in part II.) Wait for spotter to signal that it is safe to begin backing. Slide 8 Spotter Responsibilities Check for hazards in a "circle of safety, including the backing area and all sides of the vehicle. Check overhead clearance. Communicate any hazards to the driver. 2000 VFIS Place yourself eight to ten feet to the left rear of the unit. (You may need more room for longer backings or making turns.) Slide 9 Spotter Responsibilities Stand still to avoid tripping and falling. Establish visual and verbal contact with the driver. Continue eye to eye contact at all times. Be familiar with hand signals before allowing backing to begin. STOP the driver if any hazards are observed OR if uncertain of the direction that the driver is moving. Slide 10 BACKING UP PART II USING HAND SIGNALS Slide 11 Hand Signals Back Straight When directing a driver STRAIGHT back, motion backwards with both arms. Click to begin video. Slide 12 Hand Signals Back Left To direct the driver to back LEFT, point with your LEFT arm, and motion to the LEFT with your RIGHT arm. Any turns should have been communicated between the driver and spotter in advance. There should be no surprises here. Click to begin video. Slide 13 Hand Signals Back Right To direct the driver to back RIGHT, point with your RIGHT arm, and motion to the RIGHT with your LEFT arm. Click to begin video. Slide 14 Hand Signals STOP When directing the driver to STOP, cross both wrists directly overhead. Click to begin video. Slide 15 INFORMATION ADAPTED FROM: HTTP://WWW.IAFC.ORG/ASSOCIATIONS/4685/FILES/AL%20- %20SAF%20003%20FIRE%20APPARATUS%20BACKING%20PROCEDURES.DOC HTTP://EVERYONEGOESHOME.COM/RESOURCES/VFIS/RESPONSEGUIDELINES.PDF CREDITS Click your mouse twice to end this program. PRODUCER: JAMES DONAHE OUTREACH SERVICES SPECIALIST VIDEOGRAPHER: FELIX REYES PUBLIC SERVICES SPECIALIST SPECIAL THANKS TO: JAN RICHTER LIBRARY ASSISTANT