Carry Out Emergency Procedures and Incident Response
What this domain tests
Response to brake failure, blowouts, fire, jackknife, trailer breakaway, collision and medical emergency - the actions taken in the first minute and the reports filed afterwards.
Core rules
- Brake failure: stay calm, downshift progressively, use the engine brake, pump the service brake, sound the horn and look for an escape route or runaway ramp. Do not shut the engine off while moving; you lose steering assist and engine braking.
- Blowout: grip the wheel, keep straight, ease off the accelerator, avoid hard braking, let the vehicle slow, then pull off.
- Fire: stop, shut off the engine, evacuate, call for help, attack only a small fire with the extinguisher and do not open the hood fully.
- Breakaway: the emergency (supply) line separates and the trailer spring brakes should apply. Stay clear of the trailer and warn traffic.
- At any incident: stop, secure the scene, place the early warning device, give first aid within your training, do not move an injured person unless there is immediate danger, and report to police, company and insurer.
Worked example
The brake pedal goes to the floor on a long descent. Reasoning: repeated service-brake use has overheated the drums and faded the friction. Solution: select a lower gear immediately, let the engine brake slow the combination, pump the pedal to build whatever pressure remains, use the shoulder or escape ramp, and do not yank the parking brake, which can lock the wheels and cause a jackknife.
Traps
- Jumping out of a moving vehicle.
- Opening a burning engine cover fully and feeding the fire with air.
- Moving an injured driver or passenger without need.
- Forgetting the early warning device and creating a second collision.
- Failing to photograph and record the scene for the report.