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Comment by FETC on April 26, 2010 at 7:25am

OK so I am going to address the rebuttal. I an the one who made the comment about why is the FD directing traffic? Quinton and I have taked via email about it at length. The point is sometimes we are our own worst enemy... If you are committing your company to the roadway, especially in auto extrication operation, we shouldn't be "directing traffic" around the operation, we should be closing the damn roadway. I don't care if it is the city, the highway or hillbilly USA, secondary MVC's involving rescue crews are for the most part, AVOIDABLE. Preach all you want about firefighter safety, safety, safety and then on your next accident have little johnny doing traffic control is BS. If the accident is serious, the cops are going to close the roadway anyway to "investigate" the accident, take measurements, photograph the scene, etc. Guess what? They close that same roadway for hours to "protect" the evidence and THEMSELVES. All we need is 10-20 minutes to protect our brothers during lifesaving operations.

Comment by Jack/dt on April 25, 2010 at 8:16pm

I believe it's called "plausible deniability"

Comment by lutan1 on April 25, 2010 at 5:33pm

I knew someone who held the maglite/traffic wand at windscreen height and as the car flew past, it happened to strike the windscreen. Not sure how that happened... :-)

Comment by Paul Montpetit on April 24, 2010 at 5:42pm

I wouldn't go so far as throwing a light...they cost far too much...Rather like the Haligan bar....but also get a plate number and turn it in to Law Enforcement...they usually will be more than glad to visit the jerk...er I mean passing motorist....For the person that questiones Fire Department directing traffic...In the rural setting we often have to do both Firefighting and traffic control...that's why we get people certified as Fire Police........Stay safe....Keep the Faith.............Paul

Comment by Ron King (Fire Chief) on April 23, 2010 at 10:01pm

Quinton, I think you were wrong for throwing the flashlight. And bad things may come about for doing this. Sometimes we just need to let it go and count to 10 are 20. Say Safe out there.

Comment by FETC on April 23, 2010 at 8:07pm

Why is the fire department directing traffic?

Comment by WestPhilly on April 23, 2010 at 5:28pm

Of course throwing a flashlight is wrong - what if you broke it? I've done the same thing, only I used my helmet. You might catch some grief from your boss; tell him you were startled and in the heat of the moment, acted in self-defense. Now that you've had time to self-critique those actions, you realize you made a mistake and you won't let it happen again.