WINTER DRIVING
On icy roads, stopping distance may increase by as much as this multiple compared with normal conditions.
What is nine times?
This is the maximum apparatus speed when operating with either steel-link tire chains or Onspot chains.
What is 35 mph?
Onspot automatic chains are designed primarily for slippery roads with this amount of snow.
What is little or no snow?
During freezing conditions, hose lines that are not actively being used for firefighting should continue doing this.
What is flowing water into a safe area?
Extreme cold increases the viscosity of this fluid, slowing aerial operation and increasing stress on hoses and seals.
What is hydraulic fluid?
During limited nighttime or winter visibility, an Engineer should travel slowly enough to accomplish this within the range of the headlights.
What is stop the apparatus?
An individual chain link that has worn beyond this percentage of its original thickness requires the chain pair to be removed from service.
What is greater than 50% wear?
At approximately this snow depth, the handbook states that Onspots may no longer operate effectively.
What is approximately six inches?
To help prevent wet stacking while recirculating the pump, the handbook recommends approximately this engine-speed range.
What is 1,100–1,200 RPM?
Ice accumulation on an aerial reduces rescue capability, decreases stability, and requires Engineers to closely monitor this system.
What is the Load Monitor?
The first two actions in AFD's skid-control procedure are to remove your foot from this and steer the apparatus in this direction.
What are remove your foot from the throttle or brake and steer in the direction the apparatus should travel?
On a winter incline, AFD directs Engineers to place chocks on this side of the tires before gently loading the chocks and setting the brake.
What is the downslope side?
Rather than waiting until the apparatus reaches an icy hill or slippery intersection, Onspots should be activated at this time.
What is before reaching the slippery area?
At the pump panel, this simple item may be placed over a spraying coupling to reduce ice buildup.
What is a towel?
Carefully and slowly extending and retracting an aerial to reduce ice accumulation is known by this informal term.
What is “shrugging”?
On slick roads, the front tires of this type of apparatus may lose directional steering and cause the vehicle to continue straight instead of turning.
What is a tandem-axle vehicle?
For most conditions, tire chains should be installed on these two axles.
What are the front steering axle and rear drive axle?
Onspots must be engaged while the apparatus is moving within this speed range.
What is 2 to 25 mph?
At the AFD Training Center, outdoor training is cancelled below this temperature.
What is 0°F?
To reduce erosion of the ice beneath aerial stabilizers, the apparatus should be positioned here relative to firefighting operations whenever possible.
What is uphill from firefighting operations?
This handbook term describes the dangerous condition in which an Engineer may greatly overestimate vehicle control while traveling straight downhill on a slick roadway.
What is the “Illusion of Control”?
Oh no! A chain breaks while you're driving. According to the handbook, this is your immediate action.
What is stop immediately in a safe pull-off area and inspect for apparatus damage?
You've already become stuck because you failed to engage the Onspots. The handbook allows this technique to throw the chains beneath the tires.
What is engage the Onspots and spin the wheels up to 5 mph?
This type of antifreeze should be used on discharge and inlet caps, hinges, and roll-up door tracks; ordinary antifreeze/water blends should not be sprayed on plastic ball valves.
What is RV antifreeze?
Cold temperatures can produce molecular-level changes in aerial steel, making it more brittle. This loading condition therefore requires extreme caution.
What is shock loading the aerial?