It's so critical to the job that all federal, state, and local agencies, as members of the National Wildfire Coordinating Group, elected to focus special attention on driving last year.

When you consider the long hours, unusual vehicles and incredible terrain, this is truly a remarkable community of drivers. But when an accident does happen after those long hours in heavy vehicles, in unforgiving terrain, it's too high a price.

Look hard at your attitude. The best drivers are confident in their skills, yet always thinking, always looking for new ideas and always getting better.

The operator and passengers need to be cognizant of their surroundings and continually alert and prepared to deal with the following potential “watch out” situations while driving to and from wildland fires. These driving situations can include:

Environmental factors

Weather, roadside hazards, work zones, unusual traffic conditions and other vehicles operated in a hazardous manner.

Driver practices

Physical and mental fatigue, slower reaction times due to aging driver population, anger including road rage, drinking and driving, lack of seat belt use, failure to ensure proper vehicle maintenance, aggressive driving, driving while inattentive/distracted, deliberately disobeying traffic control devices, and taking unnecessary risks.

Most of these factors can be controlled; those that can't are primarily the result of other drivers. Because the driving behaviors of others can't be controlled, we must anticipate what they might do. For example, expect other drivers to make mistakes at intersections and be prepared to act defensively.

Drivers can exercise control over their own distractions. Research has proved that driving has to be the single focus of our attention. Studies prove operators are not capable of fully concentrating on multiple tasks and driving as safely as when solely concentrating on vehicle operations.

In preparation for the upcoming fire season, and to improve agency driving safety records, an emphasis should be placed on preparing vehicle operators to foster best practices while on the road. There are numerous tools available to improve situational awareness before driving.

Clean before each operational period

Wash the windshield and headlights every day. This will improve general visibility. Glare, dust and ashes can build up on the windshield and impair vision, especially at night or in bright sunlight. Make certain to clean all windows as well as all outside and rear-view mirrors. The lower position of headlights, compared to the location of a windshield, causes them to accumulate dirt and dust that reduce their effectiveness. In extremely dusty and smoky conditions windshield and headlight cleaning might be required multiple times during an operational period.

Inspect the vehicle daily

A walk-around and under-the-hood inspection is critical before the operator gets behind the wheel. Check for body damage, tire pressure, lights, fuel and oil levels, and all other fluids. Manually bleed water from air brake — equipped systems if necessary. This is also the ideal time to ensure all support gear is loaded, such as maps, phone and first aid kit. Use a checklist to perform this inspection without overlooking an important item.

Stow and secure all loose items

Remember to secure all loose tools, equipment, or supplies in the rear compartment of utility vehicles. These items need to be stored in a cargo box that is properly anchored or otherwise tied down.

Obtain a briefing

Whenever possible, get a briefing before driving into unfamiliar territory. Inquire about road conditions such as steep mountainous grades or terrain with sharp roadside dropoffs. Even if you have received a detailed briefing, exercise caution and reduce your speed based on your unfamiliarity with the area. Remember another operator may know even less than you do about local road conditions that may be encountered. In strange territory, expect the unexpected.

Adjust side-view mirrors

Many preventable accidents occur due to vehicle-induced blind spots.

Best driving practices begin with adequate pre-hire screening to ensure the hiring of qualified and capable operators. Supervisors and managers should review job applications closely and then inquire and verify the claimed driving skills and vehicle experience of applicants. The verification should be based on the type of vehicles they will be operating. Keep in mind former supervisors and past coworkers may themselves not be qualified or willing to offer an accurate assessment of the applicant's past driving performance.

Following agency guidelines, check the applicant's motor vehicle record for accidents, moving violations, suspensions and other indicators of poor driving habits. Eliminate those that pose a significant potential liability for your agency.

Once hired, supervisors and managers should have procedures that ensure employees are properly trained and adequately experienced in the particular vehicles that they're assigned to operate. Supervisors should become directly involved in ensuring that an employee's driving skills and training are sufficient to allow safe operation under all foreseeable circumstances before giving clearance to operate a vehicle. Although there are specific courses for engine operators, employees driving other types of vehicles need situational awareness training as well.

Before the 2004 wildland fire driving season begins, supervisors and managers should familiarize themselves with the current operator and vehicle guidelines found in Standard for Fire and Aviation Operations. Chapter 4, Safety, outlines the latest Driving Standard. This chapter covers employees operating government fire vehicles, emergency driving, non-emergency driving and emergency fire vehicle operation standards.

Remember that poor screening of potential operators can lead to costly tort claims and even fatal accidents. Ultimately, driving standards are only as good as those practiced when a responsible and skilled operator is entrusted with a vehicle. Take all the time needed during the hiring and training period to ensure you are hiring and training a qualified, competent vehicle operator.

Mike Chiodini, engine captain of the Eldorado National Forest in California, and Tim Rollins, fleet manager for the Coronado National Forest in Arizona, contributed to this article.

FYI

The Learning Curve is a collection of after-incident reports and Scratchline quarterly newsletter articles by the Wildland Fire Lessons Learned Center, an interagency program supported by the Federal Fire and Aviation Leadership Council. Visit the center or subscribe to Scratchline at www.wildfirelessons.net.

OPERATOR TIPS WHILE DRIVING

Drive for conditions

Use the posted speed limit as a guide. During rain, sleet, fog or darkness, drive below the speed limit. Too many accidents involve operators who were speeding or driving too fast for conditions.

Use caution when driving in the shade

Slow down when driving from an area of high sun intensity into shaded areas. This helps to provide the time needed for the eyes to adjust to the reduced light environment.

Check all directions

When backing up, pulling forward, or turning to the left or right, make sure to look in all directions. Have passengers or spotters assist. When backing is required, large vehicles like engines and vans should have a spotter assist by standing outside the vehicle.

Be careful driving in smoke

Turn on lights and drive slowly. Stay as far to the right side of the road as possible. As a guide, be able to stop in half the visible distance. This is a driving “watch out” situation; use extreme caution. Remember that if fog is present, for all practical purposes you are driving blindfolded.

Use emergency lights and sirens

Vehicle operators need to obey all applicable traffic laws while responding to an incident and anticipate that others may not yield to your vehicle. Remember that having lights and a siren on does not provide a license to operate in an unsafe manner. Your situational awareness must be in a state of heightened alert when approaching intersections and traffic signals, as other vehicle operators may not be aware of your approach.

On the Web

The Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher Manual
www.nifc.gov/safety_study/annual-refresh/hot_topics/driving_safety.html.

Research on “Inattention Blindness” in behind-the-wheel cell phone users
www.nsc.org/news/nr012703.htm

Sample expanded vehicle inspection safety checklist
www.wildfirelessons.net/Library/Safety_Health/Vehicle_InspectionChecklist.doc

Methods to eliminate blind spots with mirror positioning
www.wilfirelessons.net/Library/Safety_Health/SafetyAutomobileSideMirrorPosition.pps

Supervisor checklist for monitoring employee driving practice skills
www.wildfirelessons.net/Library/Safety_Health/Observation_Driving_Practices.doc

Standard for Fire and Aviation Operations, Chapter 4, Safety
www.fire.blm.gov/Standards/redbook.htm