CA-MMU- Engine rollover - Minor injuries one operator

Update: 5-2-08 - Green sheet attached Engine rollover on Bear Valley road.
Update: 4-26-08 - Blue sheet attached Engine rollover on Bear Valley road.

On April 22, 2008, E-4262, a CAL FIRE Model 34 staffed with one operator, was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident while traveling eastbound on Bear Valley Road approximately 4.6 miles east of the Hornitos Fire Station.

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CALFIRE
BLUE SHEET
PRELIMINARY SUMMARY
REPORT

Vehicle Accident
April 22, 2008

E-4262
CA-MMU-004822
CA-CSR-000031
(Accident Review Incident Number)

This Preliminary Summary Report is intended as an aid in accident prevention, and to provide factual information from the first 24 hours of the accident review. To that end it is published and distributed within a short time frame. Information contained within may be subject to revision as further investigation is conducted, and other reports and documents are received.

Synopsis

On April 22, 2008, E-4262, a CAL FIRE Model 34 staffed with one operator, was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident while traveling eastbound on Bear Valley Road approximately 4.6 miles east of the Hornitos Fire Station.

Narrative

At approximately 1040 hrs, E-4262 staffed with one operator, was enroute from Hornitos Fire Station to Mariposa Headquarters traveling east bound on Bear Valley Road. As the engine entered a left hand sweeping curve, the passenger side tires dropped off the pavement onto the dirt shoulder into a slight depression. The engine then sharply cut to the left and traveled across both lanes of Bear Valley Road, climbed an approximate 8’ cut bank on the north side of Bear Valley road traveling approximately 55’ on top of the cut bank, then returned to the roadway coming to rest on the passenger side. The operator self extricated thru the driver’s side window and reported the incident to the Mariposa ECC utilizing his portable radio. The engine sustained major damage. The operator was wearing a seatbelt, sustained minor injuries, and was taken to a local area hospital for treatment and released.

Immediate Observations

• Seatbelts work.
• Conduct Tailgate Safety sessions on the California Commercial Drivers Handbook, Section 2 (driving safely, controlling speed, matching speed to the road surface, and selection of a safe speed). Apply “Situational Awareness” to driving conditions.

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CALFIRE - GREEN SHEET

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Informational Summary Report of Serious CDF Injuries, Illnesses, Accidents and Near-Miss Incidents
Vehicle Accident
Engine 4262
Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit
April 22, 2008
CA-MMU-004822
CA-CSR-000031
California Southern Region
A Board of Review has not approved this Summary Report. It is intended as a safety and training tool, an aid to preventing future occurrences, and to inform interested parties. Because it is published on a short time frame, the information contained herein is subject to revision as further investigation is conducted and additional information is developed.

Incident Review Report

SUMMARY
The following information is a preliminary summary of a vehicle accident which occurred in the Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit in which a CAL FIRE Model 34 fire engine was heavily damaged. The fire captain who was the sole occupant / operator of the fire engine sustained only minor injuries. At approximately 1030 hrs, E-4262 staffed with one operator, was en-route from Hornitos Fire Station to Mariposa Headquarters traveling east bound on Bear Valley Road. As the engine entered a left hand sweeping curve, the passenger side tires dropped off the pavement onto the dirt shoulder into a slight depression. The engine then sharply cut to the left and traveled across both lanes of Bear Valley Road, climbed an approximate 8’ cut bank on the north side of Bear Valley road traveling approximately 55’ on top of the cut bank, then returned to the roadway coming to rest on the passenger side. The operator self extricated thru the driver’s side window and reported the incident to the Mariposa ECC utilizing his portable radio. The engine sustained major damage. The operator was wearing a seatbelt, sustained minor injuries, and was taken to a local area hospital for treatment and released.

CONDITIONS
Location: Bear Valley Road (Mariposa County J16) approximately .1 mile east of Mt. Gaines Road in Mariposa County.
Traffic: Light traffic volumes on Bear Valley Road, consistent with the time of day and season of the year. Local vehicular traffic was considered normal.
Weather: RAWS Station: Catheys Valley
Observation Time: 1000 Hours
Temperature: 58 Degrees
Relative Humidity: 37%
Winds: 205 Degrees @ 7 Miles per Hour
Visibility: Clear Skies
Road Surface: Paved surface consistent with that of a typical county road. Bear Valley Road is a two lane (one in each direction) road with minimal to no shoulders on either side. An advisory sign that advises 30 MPH due to curves in the road is posted approximately 100 yards before the accident site.

SEQUENCE OF EVENTS
On April 22, 2008 at approximately 1030 hrs, Engine 4262 (E-4262) left the Hornitos fire station occupied by a single Fire Captain operator who was transporting E-4262 to Unit Headquarters at Mariposa for maintenance and outfitting. The engine proceeded northeast along Bear Valley Road (Mariposa County Road J16) in Mariposa County, a remote two lane road. The engine traveled along Bear Valley Road approximately 4.6 miles, just beyond Mt. Gaines road, where it entered a series of curves at the beginning of an up-hill grade.
The engine entered the first slight curve to the right and then traveled toward a sharper left hand turn toward a straighter portion of roadway. As the engine entered the beginning of this second turn, the rear duals began to slide to the right edge of the roadway. As the engine continued into the turn, the right front tire and rear duals went off the paved roadway surface, traveled across a depression, varying from 6 - 8 inches deep and four feet long, along the outside roadway edge.
The operator realized the engine was off the roadway and attempted to correct the travel of the engine back to the roadway. As the rear dual tires traveled through the depression, the engine veered to the left. The operator again attempted to correct by steering into the skid, to the right. The engine continued across the two lanes of roadway, out of control towards a 6 – 8 foot embankment on the north side of the roadway.
The engine continued across the roadway and up the side of the embankment. The engine then traveled along the top of the embankment approximately 55 feet. As the engine came to the end of the elevated embankment, still under speed, it began to roll to its right side. As the engine transitioned off the embankment, it rolled on to the passenger side, coming to rest in the westbound lane.
As the engine came to rest on the roadway, the operator unbelted his safety restraint, retrieved the loose portable radio from the passenger side cab area, and climbed out of the cab via the drivers’ side window. At approximately 1045 hrs, the operator reported to the Mariposa ECC that the engine had been in a single vehicle accident, with major damage to the engine. He confirmed there were no injuries, and requested CHP and the on-duty Battalion Chief respond to the location. Approximately ten minutes later, an off-duty Cal Fire Battalion Chief arrived on scene and rendered assistance.
A CAL FIRE employee took the Fire Captain to a local hospital for observation and treatment for a minor contusion on his left elbow.

INJURIES/DAMAGES
Injuries: Minor; small contusion on left elbow.
Damages: Major damage sustained to the apparatus chassis, frame, and build-up.
Preliminary inspection of apparatus indicates the engine is a total loss.

SAFETY ISSUES FOR REVIEW
• Seat belts work. Continue to reinforce mandatory seat belt use with all operators and passengers.
• Conduct Tailgate Safety sessions on the California Commercial Drivers Handbook, Section 2 (driving safely, controlling speed, matching speed to the road surface, and selection of a safe speed).
• Apply “Situational Awareness” to driving conditions.
• Comply with posted roadway speed advisories.

INCIDENTAL ISSUES FOR REVIEW
• Become familiar with your equipment and power enhancements of newly designed fire apparatus. Available power and acceleration capabilities increase the vehicles’ response to operator inputs.
• Better vehicle manufacturing and technological improvements have significant affect on the operation of any new vehicle. These affects include:
1. Overall interior comfort of the vehicle may affect the operator’s perception of speed on the roadway. Stay focused on the safe operation of the vehicle.
2. Design improvements in suspension and air ride systems may affect an operator’s perception of specific roadway conditions.
3. Always be aware of your indicated speed along the roadway. Check gauges often.

Source: WILDLANDFIRE - GREEN SHEET - .PDF