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Comment by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on January 5, 2008 at 11:01am

We cannot be BULLIES when driving apparatus in traffic.
Come to think of it; THAT'S why John Q. Public isn't as respectful as they use to be.
They think that we ARE bullies.
Lights and sirens ASK for the right of way. It is not Moses parting the Red Sea.
Drive with some smarts to better deal with the idiots.
We are having WAY TOO MANY apparatus and POV accidents. And whether some of the purists want to believe it, WE ARE PARTLY TO BLAME. And in a few cases, we were the cause.
Wake up, people. We have to control what we can control. Controlling what we drive is basic.

Comment by IDoItAll on January 4, 2008 at 4:06pm

I am with Oldman, we were taught that the lights/sirens are only ASKING for permission to have the right a way, doesn't mean we automatically get it. Yes it is frustrating and I have on occassions been heard to yell at a vehicle who wouldn't move, but they didn't really have to. Now, in our state (WV) there is a law that when we are responding we are considered on the same line as an officer and if someone is obstructing... ie not getting out of the way or gawkers in the way at a scene... when an officer shows up on scene and we point the person out, they are fined 1000.00 by the officer or if we give them a license plate they will mail them a fine so we have a little back up in our area. I too feel for the injured firefighters and wish them well.

Comment by Oldman on January 4, 2008 at 1:58pm

BTW Trish, I'm not taking up for the civilian driver. Having recently been to Jacksonville I had the opportunity to experience first hand some of the driving conditions there. No the drivers are not any worse than in the Houston area, but they are a different kind of crazy.

Comment by Paul Montpetit on January 4, 2008 at 1:48pm

Sorry if I was misunderstood..never said that he was Dale Sr...just asked what was taught at EVOC..? I too am always saddened when I hear of a Brother or Sister hurt...nevertheless...the operator IS responsible for what happens...check with your state laws..thats why some departments are now responding NO lights,NO sirens unless it is a known life risk situation...Stay safe....Paul

Comment by Oldman on January 4, 2008 at 1:28pm

One of the primary rules of emergency vehicle operations: Lights and Sirens only REQUEST the right of way. Granted, most states have laws concerning what is supposed to be done upon seeing or hearing the approach of an emergency vehicle, and in an ideal world everybody would yield like they are supposed to do. But we don't live in an ideal world, and as such the EO, (operator, driver, chauffeur,) bears a considerable responsibility for ensuring safe arrival. I hope for the quick and full recovery of these guys, and hope we all can learn from this incident. Rule #2. Always expect the other drivers to do what they are not supposed to do.

Comment by mike gray on January 4, 2008 at 12:12pm

im lost for words on this one.i feel for the guys and agree with you 100% trish and as for the comment from paul,i dont think the driver thought he was dale sr. doing the bump and run,he was driving defensivley other wise he would have ran thru them with out giong around

Comment by Paul Montpetit on January 4, 2008 at 8:10am

Well I agree....BUT....There is a problem here also...Have you had EVOC...?? Who is ultimately responsible...?? Here I hate to say the operator of the Emergency vehicle is also wrong...One has to drive defensively...Not much good if we don't get there now are we....Stay safe......Paul

Comment by Mary Ellen Shea on January 3, 2008 at 11:17pm

Well, I agree with you in that the driving public does not hold the same degree of respect, nor do they yield the right of way the way they used to when I was a kid.....but any FD driver needs to be on top of his or her game and drive more defensively to avoid situations like this.
It's a shame that lights and sirens don't seem to engender the same degree of responsiveness in John Q. Public, but I've also seen first responders pulling some incredibly stupid maneuvers while responding...Drive defensively, wear your seatbelt, and expect the unexpected, particularly where it applies to other drivers on the road.

Comment by Brad Carlson on January 3, 2008 at 10:42pm

I agree with you 100 percent.love you too trish...