Post Your Comments: Fire Chief Runs Blocker for Responding Unit

Here's a video from YouTube posted a while ago that someone on the Watch Desk just posted a link to. It's a chief's vehicle running as a blocker ahead at intersections for a responding unit.

Then he speeds up as the unit passes and then blocks the next one...and so on.

What is your department's policy on this type of situation? If the responding engine/truck is already going at or above the posted speed limit, what must the chief officer be doing to from full stop, to pass it, and then speed ahead to block the next intersection.

Curious everyone's thoughts on this one ..

Stay safe! Web Chief

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Comment by Engine 32 Capt. on August 24, 2008 at 11:52pm: Our department SOP's state that no emergency vehicle shall pass another while making an emergency run. My initial thought is: This is retarded. If the Chief crashes, the apparatus is going to have to stop and render aide...what have they accomplished?

Comment by LadyChaplain on August 24, 2008 at 11:45pm: This has happened a few times with my department, but emphasis on a few. I think if it's done with extreme caution, and depending on the situation, it can be helpful.

Comment by Firefighter Nation WebChief on August 24, 2008 at 11:38pm: Yes, I can't take credit for the music...it was on YouTube :)

Comment by Wes Anders on August 24, 2008 at 11:37pm: Weve had fireman and officers block intersections we were coming to but havent had any pass me to block the intersection they all stop there and waited for us to get there dont I dont really see a need for it in this video.

Comment by Justin Buck on August 24, 2008 at 11:33pm: i have never seen a cheif car ever do that. the way he drive is not safe. thats just retarded

Comment by mark on August 24, 2008 at 11:32pm: This is The policy For Our 2nd Alarm And RIT Team But Only During Rush Hour

Comment by Mark on August 24, 2008 at 11:08pm: Great music. But shouldn't the chief be going to the scene to make a the call to reduce to code 1 instead of a code 3 responce. Blocking the intersection just was not a smart move,having to pass the truck to do so. chiefs are to go to the scene thats why we give them the car or truck with all the lights on it, thats how we do it.

Comment by lutan1 on August 24, 2008 at 10:56pm: I've been in a Rescue responding to an MVA with confirmed entrapments and had the local Police do this- I have no issue if the police do it, but not your own department. For us, it was a fantastic response with each intersection already cleared as we went through- still exercised caution, but overall it was great...

Comment by Jeff Perkel on August 24, 2008 at 10:12pm: I have had blockers do that but not for over 10 years and if I was to it would be the police with muliple units at each intersection waiting for the unit to arrive not speeding past the unit to beat them to each intersection. I do see police doing this for special situations such as funerals or dignitaries but the cars they are blocking for are not speeding along with them so they dont have to fly to get ahead. What was ok when I started is no longer ok, I used to hang off the back of the truck going to calls now you can't even do that in a parade.