Use of spotters (ground guides)

[VFD08]

Having a discussion within our department on rules/regs in regards to backing up an apparatus, the use of spotters (ground guides) and whether to place them on the driver's side or passsenger side. Anyone have a thought on this?

[ADSNWFLD]

Drivers side is more direct line of sight.
Depending on the hazards you may need to be on the officer's side.
The most important thing as a driver is if you can't see the spotter STOP!!

[MFD14C13]

Definitely post the spotter on the driver's side. As stated previously, better line of sight. They should be the primary.If the need for a spotter on the officer's side arises, use a second person to relay information to the primary spotter. It would be a good idea to use standard hand signals that all personnel understand too.

[TheWeave]

There is a similar topic being discussed in the "Trucks in Reverse" area. I will give you our departments ideas. If the person spotting is on the ground, the best place is for that person to be in the direct line of sight of the driver - "Drivers Side". If the person is riding on the tailboard, the best place is on the "Officers Side." As our experience has shown, it is best to have buzzer indicators installed on your apparauts and develope signals, " 1 = stop, 2= forward, 3=reverse", or headset plug-in for verbal communications. We like to have our personnel riding the tailboard because it is less likely that we will run over them or other traffic will hit them. Mind you, that they do not ride the tailboard while traveling forward for long distances (aka responses), they will only ride the tailboard while making tight quarters maneuvers. We have found that having the back-up person on the tailboard and on the officers side assists the apparatus operator to watch the "off side" of the vehicle. They are only to signal for a back up once they are completely on the tail board, that way we do not crush or run over them. If they are on an apparatus with limited tailboard room, then they will stand on the street, off to the side and rear on the operators side. The safety point here is, "Do not walk backwards...Tripping hazards." We have had a couple of instances where a back-up person was walking on the street and tripped while walking backwards and either got hit, or almost got hit by our vehicle. Also, never step off of a moving vehicle. Another point of caution is when stepping off the vehicle and moving to the rear, watch out for traffice....the ones we call "gutter snipers". They don't care and are not expecting some one to be walking around the apparatus, even with the red lights on.

Remember that all the safety rules we develope in the fire service are because someone either got hurt or killed doing the exact thing the rule was made for.

TheWeav.
LACoFD.

[ltdanfireman]

i prefer having the spotter on the driver side if one is available we have two spotters when backing the truck. we use not to do this but after two backing accidents a week apart they are alway there are no excuses for backing accidents. on my department if you back into something with out a spotter you go home for a while with no pay

[latigo]

From my training driving semi over the road, the best spot for a spotter is the Officer side in front of the truck. In this position, you can se to the rear on the blind side, and the driver can clearly see you. This will also block you from most traffic, and if you stand somewhat to the side, you can see pretty well behind. If the driver is looking in the mirror, trying to find you, he isn't looking where he is going. Also, remember G.O.A.L. Get Out And Look. It never hurts, as even a spotter, no matter where they are, can, and do, miss things.

[VMAN911]

IN MY DEPARTMENT, DC FIRE, ALL AVAILABLE PERSONNEL ARE USED AS SPOTTERS WHEN BACKING APPARATUS. IT IS BEST TO HAVE A LEAD SPOTTER ON THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR AND A SECONDARY SPOTTER ON THE OFFICERS SIDE WATCHING FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND OTHER OBSTACLES ON THAT SIDE. THE SAME HOLDS TRUE FOR BACKING APPARATUS INTO QUARTERS. THE TWO BACK STEP PERSONNEL STOPS TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, THE OFFICER ENSURES PEDSTRIAN TRAFFIC IS STOPPED, AND THEN STATIONS THEMSELF TO THE REAR OF THE APPARATUS AND ASSIST THE UNIT IN BACKING INTO QUARTERS.

AT NIGHT MEMBERS USE FLASHLIGHTS AND MUST HAVE HELMETS AND RUNNING GEAR ON SO THAT THE REFLECTIVE MARKERS ON THE GEAR IS ILLUMINATED. AT NO TIME ARE MEMBERS ALLOWED TO RIDE ON THE BACK STEP. SPEED OF THE APPARATUS IS ALSO A CONSIDERATION WHEN BACKING. WE GO SLOW ENOUGH THAT MEMBERS CAN KEEP UP AND MAINTAIN A DISTANCE OF AT LEAST 10-15 FEET.

- BE SAFE -

[littlemissemt]

At the company that I work for you are required to have a spotter at all times when you are backing up, the only exception being if your medic is doing CPR or something major and cannot spot you and there is no one else available. It is a Zero Tolerance to not have one.

[adbmlb]

We use spotters on left rear (drivers side). And we install a communications intercom port at the rear for direct communications with the driver. Sight and sound, as it were. Spotter used for backing and forward movement also in tight spots. Day or night. End result must be that no one gets injured and the rig comes in contact with nothing stationary. You do not want face the accident review board with a preventable accident.

Respectfully submitted,
Tony

[Joz_13]

We are required to have a spotter when backing up. Usually, it falls to the officer of the truck to perform that duty. Our spotters are also supposed to take a portable radio for direct communications with the driver. The spotter will stand on the driver side, only moving to the passenger side to double check the clearance. When the spotter moves behind the truck (at a distance) the driver is supposed to stop until they are able to view the spotter again on either side.