Managing a fleet of vehicles requires preparation. Beyond maintaining the fleet and tracking those assets, fleet managers must also have procedures in place for emergencies while on the road. There are critical best practices you should consider to be prepared for an emergency with fleet vehicles.
Do You Have an Emergency Preparedness Plan for Fleet Vehicles?
No matter what kind of fleet you manage—public or private—your organization should have an emergency preparedness plan for fleet vehicles. Depending on your location and types of vehicles, plans will vary. There are some fundamentals that should be part of the plan. If you don’t have a formal protocol or need to update yours, consider these points.
- Communicate: In an emergency situation, communication is critical. Be sure you have a plan regarding communication procedures for drivers and those at dispatch. For example, if a driver has engine problems, the policy may be to call dispatch to report the issue first. Then the driver contacts a tow truck.
- Stress safety first: Ensure that your plan prioritizes the safety of drivers first and then assets. For instance, if a vehicle becomes stuck in the snow, the driver should focus on getting out of the cold. Recovery of the vehicle can occur when conditions are safe.
- Stock the vehicles: There is a list of items every fleet vehicle should have to help drivers face emergencies on the road. You’ll need a way to track the supplies in each automobile and replenish as necessary.
- Practice, assess, and improve the plan: As with any plan, it’s a good idea to test it out. You can have mock emergency situations to go through all the steps with your drivers. During your practice, you may find you need to improve certain things so that the plan actually aligns with the scenario. Get feedback from drivers to augment the plan in the future.
- Train employees: Your fleet drivers likely have some automotive knowledge such as the ability to change a tire or add oil. They probably aren’t mechanics, and you shouldn’t expect them to be. Instead, ensure that employees have training about your safety and emergency protocols. This training could be the difference that keeps them out of harm. This training should be ongoing and part of your culture of safety.
Proactive Protection
Being prepared also means being proactive. While you can’t account for every emergency your drivers may experience, there are ways to be proactive, especially around weather issues, such as snowstorms, hurricanes, or high winds.
In the event that something’s brewing in the clouds, fleet managers should pay close attention to weather reports. If it’s obvious the weather will impact your drivers, and they still need to be on the road, ensure that the vehicles leaving have all the necessary items for protection. Next, we’ll look at some specific things for your vehicle emergency checklist.
A Vehicle Emergency Checklist
While on the road, fleet vehicles can encounter various issues that could lead to an emergency. Inclement weather may ground the cars. A flat tire or mechanical issue could leave drivers stranded. In such cases, being prepared for an emergency with fleet vehicles should include a vehicle emergency checklist.
Items for Car Trouble
If car trouble causes the emergency, these items can help get you back on the road:
- Jumper cables
- Spare tire with jack and lug wrench
- Tire pressure gauge
- Motor and coolant oil
- Flares
- Reflective triangles[1]
- Tool kit with screwdrivers, a pocketknife, duct tape, pliers, and a wrench
First Aid and Safety Must-Haves
Should a medical emergency occur or if the fleet vehicle becomes stranded, having safety essentials on hand could help the driver immensely. Keep these things in all automobiles:
- Fire extinguisher
- First aid kit with all the essentials to treat a wound[2]
- Extra cell phone charger
- Flashlight with extra batteries[3]
- Maps
- Bottled water
- Paper towels or rags
- Multiple face masks to ensure drivers are practicing the recommendations to protect against the spread of COVID-19
Winter Driving Essentials
Winter driving can be much more dangerous than other times of the year, especially if you’re in an area with frequent snow and ice. Pack your fleet vehicles with these necessities:
- Ice scraper
- Gloves
- Shovel
- Sand or cat litter for tire traction
- Blankets and clothing
Get Your Fleet Vehicle Emergency Preparedness Supplies from Zoro
Zoro offers a variety of emergency preparedness items for your fleets. From first aid kits to tools, shop Zoro.com[4] to ensure you prepare your fleet vehicles for any challenge they face on the road.
[1] https://www.zoro.com/kbmt/triangle-reflector/
[2] https://www.zoro.com/first-aid-kits/c/6172/
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.