This pastr week I was on spring break & had the chance to run calls with my volunteer fire station. We had several calls on one day. The first was a structure fire at 0500 in the morning. It was a perfect scene when it came to interstaion cooperation and communication. The problem was the county sheriffs deputies passing several engines on their way to the scene and running a few responders in their POVs off the road. Later that day around 10 pm we had a drunk hit a power pole. We were toned out and when I arrived on scene a deputy almost hit my vehicle & he had run a fellow responder off the narrow road. Then the deputy jumped through live wires & pulled the victim out of the vehicle. Do any of yall have this kind of problem with the law enforcement officers in your areas? Are they cooperative or are they like the ones in mine?
We do not have that sort of think happen, they get training from their agencies in what is safe and what is not. Biggest problem seems to be the state patrol and them wanting to get the roads opened back up just as soon as possible. It has caused problem with scene safety on many occasions but it does seem to be getting better as time goes on. The state patrol just does not understand why we at times park a 25 ton stop sign in the way and not let the traffic go through until they come up to the scene and see what is going on.
Around my town most of the LEO's work really well with the fire depts. but there are a few who could care less about FR's so to say, we have a few depts here that can run emergency lights on POVs and I remember one time a few years ago I was responding mutual aid with around dept in our county and he was running 10-33 per his SOPs and I was behind him running 10-30 per my SOPs and I pulling over for a deputy and he didn't since he was running 10-33 and the cop pulled him aside when we got on-sence and wrote him a ticket. Can you belive that?
Yea we have the same problem with the local police. As a Captain if a police officer enters a haz mat zone he has to get dcon like everyone else. The police are bound to the same rules as firefighter 1o MPH over due to the nature of the call. If an officer causes damage to your vehicle have a report done and have the police dept pay for the damages. Of course go to your fire Chief first and let him try to resolve the problem. If it persists document the incidents and take it before the city counsel. Second of all the IC is in charge of a fire Sean. I ran a many of officers off my fire Sean. As far as that goes when the fire is out and cleans up is done pull the officer aside and talk to him. Treat him with respect but let him know how you fill. If that does not work then ask you Chief to deal with it.
The city and co. cops are not so bad, but the troopers have a nasty habit of showing up everywhere and trying to run everything! We actually had to kick one off of our fire scene because he kept getting in the way of guys trying to get RIT team prepared and humping hose. The KU cops are the worst, I stopped POV for a car I saw catch on fire and this KU cop comes out strutting his stuff, called in the fire (after I told him I just had!!) and proceeded to go pop the trunk of the car. I just stood back and smiled and thought, ok know it all. I'll be here when that flames up in your face! Thankfully he didn't get hurt, but yeah KU cops here are pretty stupid!!
We have issues with Police blocking hydrants, interesections or just plain jamming up a cul de sac so only one engine can get in. I've had to yell (and curse) at several to get them to move. And putting them on blast over the radio helps.
For the most part down here in South Jersey we get along with our PD well. Unfortunately since we have state police down here... The scene is theirs no matter what from the moment they arrive OSC. They have final say. Most of the time they are ok and understand that we need to do our thing but most of our problems with them are with auto accidents and how quickly they want to get the road opened back up. Im sure most everyone on here has seen the news articles about fire officers getting arrested by the PD.
Permalink Reply by Ed on September 26, 2008 at 12:36pm
I'm with Allen A. We (for the most part) have a very good relationship with law enforcement in our area. They help when and where they can, and stand by when they know they're no help. The biggest issue we have is where they park their vehicles when they're on-scenes. I'm 100% confident that its nothing melicious, they just don't know what all goes into access to a fire scene with apparatus. Its nothing a good "hey dumbass, move your car" won't fix..