301401

ORANGE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE GENERAL ORDER Effective Date: August 10, 2012  Amends - GO 6.1.5 (May 7, 2010) Number: 6.1.5 Distribution: All Personnel Review Month: October Reviewing Authority: SOD / Traffic Subject: Traffic Direction And Control This order consists of the following: 1. Purpose 2. Policy 3. Procedures 1. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to provide for the safe and efficient flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic where emergency or hazardous situations exist. 2. Policy It is the policy of this agency to direct traffic at special events and emergency events. 3. Procedures A. Traffic Direction Traffic direction will be performed by all personnel as follows: 1. In the interest of public safety or efficiency. 2. To preserve a crime scene. 3. To facilitate the safe passage of the public at special events involving a large flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic. 4. Non-sworn personnel may assist with traffic direction under the supervision or at the direction of sworn m embers. 5. Dignitary Motorcade Operations. B. Fire Scene Traffic Control 1. A traffic control perimeter will be established near the fire scene to control access to the scene but a t sufficient distance from the actual fire to prevent injury to personnel and damage to property. 2. Fire/rescue personnel, including volunteers, may direct traffic at fires, crash scenes or other emergency situations. 3. An unobstructed traffic lane should be maintained for use by emergency vehicles entering or leaving the s cene. 6.1.5, Page 2 of 4 4. A location should be designated for pedestrians, spectators and news media. C. Special Events 1. The designated event commander in charge of personnel assigned to a special event shall be responsible for the deployment and management of traffic control personnel and equipment. 2. Consideration will be given to all factors affecting the safe and efficient movement of traffic including, but not limited to, the following: a. The use of major arterial roadways to allow vehicular and pedestrian traffic ingress and egress to the event. b. Easily accessible and clearly designated parking. c. The use of public transportation to alleviate vehicular traffic. d. Emergency vehicle access to the area. e. Alternate routes for vehicular traffic. f. Temporary t raffic control devices. g. Provisions for news media access. h. The assignment of deputies, including Reserves, Task Force members, Explorers, and Parking Enforc ement Unit . i. Provisions for relief of personnel assigned to traffic posts. 3. Prior to speci al events the designated event commander may contact the Orange County Traffic Engineering Department for available surveys of intended traffic routes, locations requiring point traffic control, proper signage, temporary traffic control devices and alterna te routes . D. Manual Control of Traffic 1. Deputies shall exercise discretion and carefully weigh factors including, but not limited to, the following: a. Existing roadway congestion. b. Adverse weather conditions. c. Traffic volume and speed. d. Estimate d duration of the congestion period. e. Personnel availability and safety. 2. If manual control is performed at an intersection, existing automated signals may be set to flash mode when needed . 3. The issued reflective traffic vest will be worn while dir ecting traffic. The reflective traffic vest will be worn over rain gear in foul weather conditions. 4. Deputies shall not use any language, gestures or other actions that are disrespectful, unprofessional or rude. 5. When more than one deputy is involved in manual traffic direction or control at the same scene, the first deputy on the scene shall assume the responsibility of coordinating the traffic control until relieved by a supervisor. 6.1.5, Page 3 of 4 6. Whistle signals may be coordinated with hand signals as follow s: a. STOP: One long whistle blast. b. PROCEED: Two short whistle blasts. c. ATTENTION: A series of short whistle blasts. 7. The following procedure will be used when utilizing hand and arm traffic control signals: a. STOP: The arm is extended at shoul der level with the palm facing forward and the fingers pointing upward. b. PROCEED: A waving motion across the chest indicating the direction of travel. c. TURNS: The arm and hand is pointed at the lead car in the line of traffic to be turned, and then a pointing motion in the direction that the traffic is to proceed. E. Manual Operation of Traffic Signals 1. The decision to initiate manual control of traffic signal devices will be based on traffic conditions and the limitations of the signal device. 2. Point control of traffic at an intersection normally controlled by a traffic signal will be accomplished by: a. Setting the signal to flash or manual, depending on the need . b. Proceeding with manual traffic control as described , if the light cannot be op erated using the manual mode . 3. After returning the intersection to automated control, verify that the signal lights are functioning properly before departing. 4. When signal lights operating in the flash mode are controlling traffic satisfactorily it i s not necessary for agency personnel to manually direct traffic. F. Temporary Traffic Control Devices 1. Temporary traffic control devices may be employed for a variety of traffic conditions including but not limited to: a. Emergency conditions such as cr ashes, fires, hostage situations, civil disturbances and dignitary motorcades. b.