Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Greenman on January 21, 2008 at 5:01pm

What happens when Murphy shows-up and the apparatus won't engage even though everyone's buckled-up? Seems like a device of that nature is an open invitation for trouble.

The officer, or Driver, should be responsible for ensuring everyone is buckled-up prior to roll-out. I think there are better devices out there to secure FFs in their seats than automobile seat belts design for a person in street clothes, but no matter what device is installed in the rig, it's still that Company Officer who must ensure compliance every time the rig rolls-out.

Permalink Reply by greg on January 21, 2008 at 6:00pm

Thankyou everone for your responses. I sure stired it up with this one. I hope that all fellow firefighters make it to and from there destinations safely. It is a sad day when one of our own dosent and I as have many have carried them home. I only hope that something so important as wearing a seatbelt to prevent injury and death will be on our minds and being an officer I will take all of the advice and put it to good use thanks again!

Permalink Reply by O'Kitty on January 21, 2008 at 7:00pm

I completely disagree with the idea of the vehicle being disabled. A similar and more appropriate measure is already in place on some apparatus ... an annoying buzz activates when everyone is not buckled in. My friend's dept has an apparatus with this alert system. I haven't heard it myself yet, but I understand it is quite compelling.

Permalink Reply by Firefighter Tyler Supplee on January 21, 2008 at 9:38pm

I hate to tell ya bud, but 50% of the rigs out there are older and don't have belts...only one or two outta 5 of ours has belts

Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on January 21, 2008 at 10:45pm

Well, you must have trucks that are 25 years old or more. Our 1984 GMC has lap belts. Maybe custom pumpers didn't NEED belts back then?

Are you sure they didn't fall through the crack between the seat and the back rest?

Permalink Reply by Bull on January 21, 2008 at 10:53pm

im ol-school,if your over 18,then your able to make up your mind on whether you want to wear a belt or not,, same should be on wearing a helmet while riding a bike

Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on January 21, 2008 at 11:29pm

What "old school" are you talking about? Is that the one that teaches people that "it can't happen to me?"

Or "if I'm in a wreck I want to be thrown clear so if the car catches on fire I won't get burned." Every MVA/ejection/fatality I've seen, the person "thrown clear" is run over by their own car.

It CAN happen to you, it can happen to ME, it can happen to anyone. At any time. What the hell is wrong with trying to be as safe as possible?

EVERYONE GOES HOME SAFE. Read it. Repeat it. Believe it.

Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on January 21, 2008 at 11:38pm

if there are no seat belts they should be out of service, period!!!

Permalink Reply by Engineco913 on January 21, 2008 at 11:42pm

In response to Wayne It is this mentality that kills our firefighters nationwide. How can you sit there and say if your over 18 years old you can decide whether to break federal DOT laws, State Driving laws, and General Stupidity laws? So if you decide to drive a piece of apparatus to a call and not wear a seat belt and lose the ability to walk because you weren't seat belted in, would you change your mind then? Of course I don't want this to happen to you, but you need to get off your "high horse" and look at the harsh reality that YOU ARE ABLE to be hurt or KILLED because you "choose" when you wear a safety belt.

Permalink Reply by mike wright on January 21, 2008 at 11:52pm

You may be over 18, but how many older people do you peel out of cars for not wearing their seatbelts? This image isnt enough to make you wear your seat belt then i dont know what is. Is this just the i am an old dog and no knew tricks senario? If they save lives why not wear the thing since they are in the vehicle anyway? This is the mentality that gets the firemen killed in route to scene.

Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on January 22, 2008 at 8:09am

We have lights and some of the rigs have buzzers, very, very annoying buzzers that will sound until the belts are buckled. Quick way around that, buckle the belt behind you and sit down... unfortunately there are ways around all of these things... the best way around is to just buckle up already!

Permalink Reply by Spanner 122 on January 22, 2008 at 8:11am

Yikes, how old are your rigs. I was riding an '82 in drill school and it was equipped with lap belts in the open rear facing cab. Is it possible they were removed? I can't imagine how old the vehicle would have to be to come without belts.

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