Emergency Traffic Accommodation: A Guide for First Responders

This paper presents traffic control guidelines developed for emergency traffic accommodation. The guidelines are based on the principles for temporary traffic control in work zones which have been adapted for emergency situations. It is noted that although there are formal guidelines for work zones (for example: Part 6 Temporary Conditions, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, 2003 Edition), such procedures and guidelines have not been formalized for emergency situations. The guidelines include: driving to the scene, arrival at the scene, securing the scene and scene roles and responsibilities. The Calgary Fire Department’s Emergency Traffic Management guidelines are a unique application of the principles of temporary traffic control to work zone safety and represent one of most recent road safety management initiatives in North America.