Preventing Apparatus Roll-Aways
VFIS is interested in helping emergency service organizations (ESOs) prevent apparatus roll-aways. The tools to avoidance are readily available to ESOs, and
the cost can be minimal.
A number of preventive measures can be taken, from the design of the station to using wheel chocks when the apparatus is either at the station or on the scene. VFIS offers the following suggestions to help prevent apparatus roll-aways:
1. In designing a new station, make sure the floor is angled so apparatus will not be able to roll out the door if the brake or chocks either fail or are not used.
2. When an apparatus is parked, use either wheel chocks, a speed bump, parking brake or a combination of any of these so the vehicle cannot move forward or backward.
3. Whenever a vehicle is left unattended use wheel chocks.
4. At the emergency scene specific types of vehicles can be chocked as described below:
a. engines - chock either the driver’s-side front or rear tires
b. trucks - chock the driver’s-side front tires only
c. aerial trucks - chock both front tires during operations
d. other vehicles - chock the left rear tire
Using the “speed bump”: Back the wheels over the bump and then roll forward until the bump stops the vehicle; then set the brake.
Using the “rack” – a square metal frame that cradles the tire: Roll the tire over the front of the rack until it comes to rest between the front and back lip of the rack.
Preventing roll-away accidents is important. ESOs need to constantly reinforce the need to use the above tools each time, every time.
Original article - VFIS newsletter https://www.vfis.com/Portals/vfis/documents/VFIS-news/VFIS-Spring-2009-News.pdf