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getting passed while running lghts and sirens?
Last night while enroute to a field fire we almost got passed on the highway by an 18 wheeler. Only until he got almost in front of me did he realize what we were. Guess the loud sirens, and brights flashing ligths were not enough to know?? Maybe he just needed to read the door of the fire engine to know?? Has this happened to anyone else? How did you handle it? I called dispatch and let em know but not sure if they got him or not.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nanny on
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That's one thing that has always bugged me. No one moving out of the way. Total lack of respect for those of us that save lives.
The only thing I can think of, Would be drive. But do it safely. And if you have to drive down the middle of the road them do it.
Just be SAFE!
Sorry I don't really have anything else to add.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Benton on
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AT MY DEPT WE WILL DRIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. SO THERE IS NO WAY TO PASS. WE DID HAVE AN INCIDENT AT A FUNERAL PROCESSION THOUGH, THERE WAS PROBABLY 30 OF SO FIRE TRUCKS LEAVING THE FUNERAL HOME GOING TO THE BURIAL A VEHICLE TRIED TO PASS BUT HE WAS "PUSHED" OFF THE ROAD INTO THE MEDIAN! BY ONE OF THE ENGINES! IM SURE HE WONT TRY THOSE MOVES AGAIN!!
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Permalink Reply by Tony P on
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Is it illegal to pass a funeral procession in your area? Under your laws, is a funeral procession regarded as an emergency? Please note, I said 'laws', If not, then the driver of that truck was driving dangerously and should be removed from that position. Or is it that because this was a Fire Department related funeral that you regard it as something special, something that runs to it's own rules and damn the public?
Are you using a workstation that restricts you to capital letters? If not, could you please stop 'shouting'?
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As was said earlier, all that matters in this sort of situation is the law. What does the law state? If the law states that people are not allowed to passs an emergency vehicle (one that is using it's lights/siren), then nobody should pass. If the law doesn't state that, then, with due regard for other laws and for safety, people are allowed to pass. Surely we don't think that we are above the law? That because we drive around in fancy trucks and wear strange clothing that we can dictate what other people are alllowed to do?
The 'Keep Back 500 Feet' signs that are used. Are such signs mentioned in your laws? In those laws, is it stated that people must obey? If not they are just a request from the FD.
Opinion doesn't count. It is the law that counts. If your laws don't prohibit people from passing you, and you think that they should, try to have the laws changed. Until such changes occur, you should obey the laws as well.
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Permalink Reply by morris washburn on
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In my dept. we DONT run 33 traffic ( lights and sirens) to any brush fires unless there is a structure in danger . But WE dont go on Interstate either, I would just let them go anyway if your trucks are governed at 68 mph.ppl wont pullover unless you are behind them and getting ready to get off at next exit . As faras me !! I would not make a fuss . I hope you get good answers.
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Permalink Reply by Beverly on
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We had an incident with a motorist who passed our ambulance ON THE RIGHT! We called in a description and about 2 mi down the road at the intersection there was the Porsche and its driver keeping company with a police officer.
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Permalink Reply by Oldman on
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Funeral processions in this area are escorted by LE. Attempt to pass one? I wouldn't. I know a couple of officers who delight in pulling someone over that tries to pass. They'll ask for their license and keys, climbs back on their cycle and finishes the escort. Afterword, they return where the vehicle was left sitting, and writes a citation. Somehow the driver who is left stranded doesn't see the humor, but I venture to say they don't try it again.
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You haven't stated whether you were on a call or just in the funeral procession. If it was the latter, is there a law prohibiting the passing of a funeral? Or were you just pushing your way out onto the roadway? Are your trucks considerred to be emergency vehicles when they aren't on an emergency call?
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Permalink Reply by Fire Chick on
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this will happen everywhere... havent had it happen to me yet, but i have seen it... one day i was goin down the road (p.o.v) and there was a wreck up ahead and the fire truck was comin so i moved off the road and i watched a car pass them, needless to say they ended up in the wreck....
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Permalink Reply by Alex on
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haha wow aint never had that happen to us.but we probly wouldve been throwin some fire helmets if we were runnin emergency traffic lol
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Permalink Reply by James Tubbs on
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My dept. covers several miles of expressway and has experienced this as well. Like Trainer, We also take our portion of the road right out of the middle. It seems to make it safer. We no longer have to worry about who is in our blind spot when we roll up on the accident scene or what ever incident there may be.
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Permalink Reply by Gordon "Gopher" Runer on
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This is a problem that can be seen all across the world. It helps to know and understand the laws that pertain to this in your area. Most of the time when we run out on the interstate it is for a rescue call or for a grass fire. Our brush truck can run interstate speeds and we have a quick attack that can run interstate speeds for the rescue calls. Our rescue truck slows on the hills so we usually have the quick attack clear the left lane ahead of us. We are looking to invest in a new rescue unit that will be able to at least run the speed limit. The biggest problem that we have is getting passed by some of the cops. There have been a couple of times that they have come up on us and we have not seen them until they are beside and past us. So you are not alone in the frustration of having to deal with other drivers. Here in New Mexico there are a couple of laws that pertain to this and they are as follows:
66-7-332. Operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles.
A. Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights or when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
B. Upon approaching a stationary authorized emergency vehicle displaying flashing emergency lights, unless otherwise directed, the driver of a vehicle shall:
(1) if reasonably safe to do so, drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances and proceed with caution; or
(2) if it is not reasonably safe to drive in a lane not adjacent to where the authorized emergency vehicle is stopped, decrease the speed of the vehicle to a speed that is reasonable and prudent under the circumstances, proceed with caution and be prepared to stop.
C. This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive and park with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway
66-7-361. Following fire apparatus and driving through safety zone prohibited.
A. The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet, or drive into or park such vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm.
B. No vehicle shall at any time be driven through or within a safety zone.
Gopher
P.S. In our area a grass fire is an emergency and so we run with lights and sirens. If it wasn't an emergency they would not have called us.
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