Vehicle Emergencies

There should be a Fire extinguisher, Blanket, a set of Warning Triangle Reflectors and a Vehicle Emergency Kit (Orange Bag) in every vehicle.  If you transport a client in your personal vehicle, ALWAYS take an Vehicle Emergency kit (Orange bag) with you.

Vehicle Emergency Kits (Orange  Bag) should include the following 

• Jumper Cables

• First Aid Supplies, including gloves

• Flashlight

 There should be an extra "Orange Bag" at the Farm, Dawn Farm Downtown, and Spera.

Additionally, each van should have a binder of emergency procedures and vehicle policies/procedures for transporting clients. Emergency Kits are to be checked monthly during Site Inspections, and any issues should be reported to Project Manager. 

All drivers are required to have a cell phone with them while driving a Dawn Farm vehicle or while transporting clients in a personal vehicle.  However, CELL PHONE USE WHILE DRIVING IS PROHIBITED.  If you have a vehicle emergency and need to make a call, park your vehicle before using your phone.

Vehicle Malfunction

• If something is wrong with the vehicle, pull off to the side of the road, or attempt to drive to the nearest service station

• Call your supervisor to notify them of the situation

• If you can make the necessary repairs, such as changing a flat tire, please do

• Call the Farm (734-485-8725) or Spera (734-669-8265) to make arrangements for staff to pick up you and/or the clients

• Write an incident report.  Request van maintenance, if needed

Severe Weather

• If driving becomes impossible due to rain or other conditions, pull over and wait for the storm to pass

• If you suspect severe weather, use the radio to find a weather update

• If there is a thunderstorm or tornado watch, immediately return to your site (Farm, Downtown, or Spera)

• If there is a thunderstorm warning, immediately look for shelter (e.g. public building, restaurant, or store)

• If there is a tornado warning, immediately look for shelter.  If there is none, pull over to the side of the road and have all passengers lie flat on the ground, preferably in a ditch

• Always leave the radio on so you will know when the warning has been lifted

• Complete an Incident Report and an Emergency Drill Report.  Both links can be found on the Intranet's homepage. 

Accident - Complete these instructions, no matter how minor the accident!

• If on the road, turn on the hazard lights and, if possible, move the vehicle off the road.

• Check for injuries.  If there are any serious injuries, call 911.

• Exchange information with the other party involved in the accident.  Specifically, write down their full name, address, phone number, driver's license number, license plate number, year/make/model of the car, and insurance information.

• Call the police to complete a police report.

• Contact your supervisor.

• Complete an Incident Report detailing as much information about the accident as possible, including street information, direction of travel, speed of vehicles, road conditions, etc.  Link can be found on the Intranet's homepage. 

Fire

• Evacuate passengers to at least 15 feet away from the vehicle, and make sure that everyone is safe and accounted for

• Only attempt to use the fire extinguisher extinguish if you are absolutely sure you will be able to extinguish the fire.  If not, call 911 immediately

• If clothing catches on fire, drop to the ground, cross hands over chest and roll over and over slowly. You can also smother the fire with a wool blanket, coat, or rug, and spray with the extinguisher

• Complete an Incident Report and an Emergency Drill Report.  Both links can be found on the Intranet's homepage.

Medical Emergency

• If a client starts experiencing a medical emergency, pull over and turn on the hazard lights.

• Assess the situation, quickly and accurately identify what symptoms the individual is having.

• Provide first aid as appropriate.

• If it is necessary to call for an ambulance, this must happen immediately. Tell the operator the degree of the situation. Keep in mind that the first responders may be police officers.  Police are trained in first aid and may provide medical attention until EMS arrives. Be sure when calling 911 to give the operator any information they require and to follow any instructions they give you. Stay on the line until the operator tells you to disconnect.

• After calling emergency services and providing appropriate aid, call your supervisor to notify them about the situation and the steps being taken to handle it.

• Complete an Incident Report and an Emergency Drill Report.  Both links can be found on the Intranet's homepage.

CARF Standard: 1.H.12.h