Practice question

To ensure safety at a highway incident, what should the driver/operator do with the front wheels?

  1. Turn them towards the firefighters
  2. Keep them straight
  3. Turn them fully to the left
  4. Turn them away from the firefighters

Answer: D — Turn them away from the firefighters

Turning the front wheels away from the firefighters is crucial for safety at a highway incident. This positioning reduces the chances of the apparatus rolling towards the scene should the vehicle be struck by another driver. By angling the wheels away, it allows for a natural turning motion in the event of a collision, which directs the vehicle away from the firefighters and other personnel on the scene. This can be critical in protecting those working to manage the incident and ensures that the vehicle acts more predictably in case of impact. Maintaining the wheels straight does not provide any additional safety in terms of minimizing potential hazards from traffic, and turning them towards the firefighters could lead to a situation where the vehicle could inadvertently roll towards them. Turning the wheels fully to the left may also compromise safety by not providing the necessary buffer away from the personnel involved in the operation.

Practice more: Aerial Fire Apparatus Driver/Operator Practice Exam →