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BAY AREA FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL OPERATORS MANUAL

BAY AREA FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL

OPERATORS MANUAL








(Revised 6/08)



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FOREWORD



The purpose of this Freeway Service Patrol Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) Manual is to
consolidate the Drivers Manual and all subsequent updates to provide a comprehensive manual. It is
intended to provide Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) operators in the Bay Area a better understanding of
the rules, policies and regulations of the FSP program. Not all situations arising in the FSP program will
be covered in this manual; therefore, good judgment should always prevail.

The California Highway Patrols primary role in the FSP program is to oversee training and operations.
CHP officers assigned to the FSP unit are directly responsible for the field supervision of FSP operators.
The officers duties include: conducting background checks of prospective FSP drivers, providing initial
and refresher training, carrying out random and planned tow inspections, conducting ride-along,
evaluating the drivers and investigating complaints. Additionally, the CHP is responsible for dispatching
FSP trucks from the CHP Golden Gate Communications Center (GGCC).

This document is referred to in the contract signed by tow contractors to provide FSP service. As
such, it is a part of the contract, and it is the contractors (and their FSP operators) responsibility to
see that these procedures are followed.

This document makes reference to drivers, FSP drivers, operators, and FSP operators. For the
purpose of enforcement of FSP policies, these terms are synonymous. They refer to any employee
who is on FSP duty and providing services from an FSP service vehicle.

This document also makes reference to supervisors and FSP supervisors. For the purpose of
enforcement of FSP policies, these terms are synonymous and shall mean an officer or sergeant with
the California Highway Patrol who is assigned to the FSP program.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS


CHAPTER 1 - OVERVIEW OF FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL PROGRAM

1. WHY A FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL PROGRAM? ................................. 1-1
2. SCOPE OF PROGRAM............................................................................... 1-1


CHAPTER 2 - PROFESSIONALISM


1. DEMEANOR/COURTESY ........................................................................... 2-1
2. ABILITY TO READ AND COMMUNICATE CLEARLY................................. 2-2
3. UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................... 2-2
4. GROOMING AND PERSONAL APPEARANCE STANDARDS .................. 2-4
5. DRIVER OF THE QUARTER AWARD ........................................................ 2-5


CHAPTER 3 - FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL DRIVER RESPONSIBILITIES

1. LIABILITY .................................................................................................... 3-1
2. PEACE OFFICER ORDERS........................................................................ 3-1
3. NO PEACE OFFICER POWERS................................................................. 3-1
4. ALCOHOL AND/OR DRUGS ...................................................................... 3-2
5. IMPLEMENTATION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE POLICY ............................. 3-3
6. SMOKING........... 3-4
7. SLEEPING WHILE IN OR AROUND FSP SERVICE VEHICLE .................. 3-4
8. HONESTY AND TRUTHFULNESS ............................................................. 3-5
9. PATROL RESPONSIBILITY ........................................................................ 3-5
10. CONTACTS OUTSIDE OF ASSIGNED BEAT............................................. 3-6
11. MOTORIST CONTACTS ............................................................................ 3-7
12. WORK HOURS AND ASSOCIATED REQUIREMENTS.......................3-8
13. DISPLAY OF FSP PLACARDS.. 3-10
14. SECONDARY TOWS....................................................................... ...3-10
15. WEAPONS.... ......................................................................................3-10
16. CRIMINAL HISTORY DISQUALIFICATIONS...3-11
17. REINSTATEMENT TO THE FSP PROGRAM .. ..3-13
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CHAPTER 4 - VEHICLE OPERATIONS

1. DISABLED VEHICLES ................................................................................ 4-1
2. ABANDONED VEHICLES............................................................................ 4-2
3. VEHICLE COLLISIONS WHERE FSP IS NOT INVOLVED......................... 4-2
4. DEBRIS IN THE ROADWAY ....................................................................... 4-4
5. LOST AND FOUND ITEMS ......................................................................... 4-4
6. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ......................................................................... 4-5
7. DROP LOCATIONS..................................................................................... 4-5
8. PEDESTRIANS............................................................................................ 4-6
9. TOW PROCEDURES .................................................................................. 4-6
10. ON-DUTY FSP TRAFFIC COLLISION/OPERATIONAL DAMAGE.............. 4-7
11. PUSH POLICY............................................................................................. 4-8
12. MOBILITY IMPAIRED MOTORIST ..4-8
13. TOWING THE MOBILITY IMPAIRED MOTORISTS VEHICLE..4-9


CHAPTER 5 - RADIO/RANGER COMMUNICATIONS

1. GENERAL RADIO PROCEDURE................................................................ 5-1
2. AURAL BREVITY CODES........................................................................... 5-3
3. PHONETIC ALPHABET............................................................................... 5-4
4. COMMON RADIO/RANGER MESSAGE ABBREVIATION ......................... 5-5
5. RANGER PROCEDURES ........................................................................... 5-6
6. TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT .................................................... 5-8


CHAPTER 6 - STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES/VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

1. GENERAL STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES ............................... 6-1
2. VIOLATIONS THAT MAY LEAD TO TERMINATION .................................. 6-2
3. CLASSIFICATION OF VIOLATIONS ........................................................... 6-2
4. LIST OF VIOLATIONS......... ........................................................................6-4
5. BACK UP SERVICE................................................... 6-19
6. BACK-UP TRUCK PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS....... 6-22
7. BACK-UP TRUCK ASSIGNMENTS 6-23
8. APPEAL PROCESS .................................................................................. 6-24
9. CONTRACTOR AND DRIVER MANDATORY MEETINGS ....................... 6-25


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CHAPTER 7 - DOCUMENTATION

1. REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................ 7-1
2. TOW TRUCK & EQUIPMENT DAILY/WEEKLY INSPECTION REPORT.7-1
3. DRIVERS DAILY FIELD REPORT (DAILY LOG)........................................ 7-1
4. FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL SURVEY.................................................... 7-3
5. FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL BROCHURE.............................................. 7-3
6. CONTRACTORS RESPONSIBILITIES..7-4
7. REQUIRED FSP RECORDS.7-4
8. DRIVERS TRANSITIONAL PERIOD..7-5

CHAPTER 8 - SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS

1. DEFINITION OF SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS ................................................ 8-1


CHAPTER 9 - POLICY ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT . 9-1


ANNEX A - OPERATOR UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS......A1

ANNEX B - CRIMINAL HISTORY DISQUALIFICATIONS ....B1-B4

ANNEX C - PRIVATELY USED BACK-UP TRUCKS.. ..C1-C2

ANNEX D - REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO A RANDOM DRUG/ALCOHOL TEST .........D1

ANNEX E - AUTOMATIC VEHICLE LOCATING (AVL) SYSTEM.......... E1-E3


FSP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
REVISED 2/07
1-2
CHAPTER 1

OVERVIEW OF FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL PROGRAM



1. WHY A FREEWAY SERVICE PATROL PROGRAM?

A. Studies have shown that over 50 percent of traffic congestion is a result of accidents and
stalls. Quickly clearing such incidents cuts down on traffic jams. Prompt clearing of the
roadway reduces accidents caused by people trying to avoid the original traffic jam and
accidents caused by those slowing to observe the accident scene. The keys to maintaining
maximum capacity is getting closed lanes open and vehicles off the freeway as quickly as
possible.


B. The purpose of the Freeway Service Patrol is to provide congestion relief, improve safety
and air quality, and reduce fuel consumption by rapidly clearing incidents.

2. SCOPE OF PROGRAM

A. The Freeway Service Patrol (FSP) is a joint project of the Metropolitan Transportation
Co