PCV Emergency Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Your PCV is involved in a collision. What is the FIRST action you should take?
- Exchange insurance details with the other driver
- Secure the vehicle by applying the handbrake, switching off the engine, and turning on hazard warning lights (Correct answer)
- Call your depot to report the incident
- Take photographs of the damage
Correct answer: Secure the vehicle by applying the handbrake, switching off the engine, and turning on hazard warning lights
The first priority is to secure the vehicle to prevent further danger. Apply the handbrake, switch off the engine (reducing fire risk), and activate hazard warning lights to warn other road users. Only then should you assess injuries, call emergency services, and deal with passengers.
Question 2: You discover a fire at the rear of your PCV while carrying passengers. What is the correct procedure?
- Drive to the nearest fire station
- Stop immediately in a safe place, evacuate all passengers through the front exit away from the fire, call 999, and attempt to fight the fire only if safe to do so (Correct answer)
- Continue driving to ventilate the smoke
- Stop and use the fire extinguisher before evacuating passengers
Correct answer: Stop immediately in a safe place, evacuate all passengers through the front exit away from the fire, call 999, and attempt to fight the fire only if safe to do so
Stop immediately in a safe location. Evacuate all passengers through exits furthest from the fire (front exit if fire is at the rear). Call 999. Only attempt to fight the fire if it is small, you have the right equipment, and it is safe to do so. Passenger evacuation is always the priority.
Question 3: What is the correct procedure if your PCV breaks down on a motorway?
- Stay on the carriageway with hazard lights on and wait for help
- Pull onto the hard shoulder (or emergency refuge area), switch on hazard lights, evacuate passengers to behind the barrier on the verge side, and call for assistance (Correct answer)
- Attempt to repair the vehicle in the left-hand lane
- Walk to the nearest junction to get help
Correct answer: Pull onto the hard shoulder (or emergency refuge area), switch on hazard lights, evacuate passengers to behind the barrier on the verge side, and call for assistance
Move to the hard shoulder or emergency refuge area if possible. Switch on hazard lights. Evacuate passengers from the nearside (left) door and direct them to stand behind the barrier away from the carriageway. Use the emergency telephone or mobile to contact Highways England and your depot.
Question 4: During an emergency evacuation, you have a passenger in a wheelchair who cannot use the emergency exit. What should you do?
- Leave them on the bus and evacuate everyone else first
- Enlist the help of other passengers to carry the wheelchair user to safety if the main exit or ramp is usable, or use the nearest accessible exit (Correct answer)
- Wait for the emergency services to arrive before evacuating anyone
- Ask the wheelchair user to try to walk to the exit
Correct answer: Enlist the help of other passengers to carry the wheelchair user to safety if the main exit or ramp is usable, or use the nearest accessible exit
Wheelchair users should not be abandoned during an evacuation. If the ramp or main exit is usable, use it. If not, enlist the help of able-bodied passengers to assist. The wheelchair user's safety is equal to all other passengers. Having a plan for such situations is part of professional PCV driving.
Question 5: What information must you provide when calling 999 following a serious incident involving your PCV?
- Your name and the name of your employer only
- The location, number of casualties, nature of injuries, whether anyone is trapped, vehicle type, and any hazards such as fuel spillage (Correct answer)
- Only the vehicle registration number
- The name of the bus route and scheduled times
Correct answer: The location, number of casualties, nature of injuries, whether anyone is trapped, vehicle type, and any hazards such as fuel spillage
When calling 999, provide: your exact location (road name, direction, landmarks), the number of vehicles involved, the number of casualties and nature of injuries, whether anyone is trapped, the type of vehicle (PCV with passengers), and any hazards such as fuel spillage or fire risk.
Question 6: What should you do if a passenger has a suspected spinal injury following an incident on your PCV?
- Move them to a comfortable position immediately
- Keep them still, do not move them unless there is immediate danger to life (such as fire), support their head and neck in the position found, and wait for paramedics (Correct answer)
- Sit them up and give them water
- Place them in the recovery position
Correct answer: Keep them still, do not move them unless there is immediate danger to life (such as fire), support their head and neck in the position found, and wait for paramedics
A suspected spinal injury requires the casualty to remain completely still. Any movement could worsen the injury and potentially cause permanent paralysis. Only move them if there is immediate danger to life. Support the head and neck in the position found and wait for trained paramedics.
PCV Emergency Procedures 1
Your PCV is involved in a collision.
What is the FIRST action you should take?