Watch for emergency vehicles

[dwnwrdishvnwrd]

http://www.abc15.com/content/news/phoenixmetro/central/story/Phoenix-PD-14-hurt-when-fire-truck-collides-with/AdBUMNgXqk2CvHxXGmHFgA.cspx

We had one of our engines get smashed by a passenger vehicle while they were enroute to a fire. The driver blew through the intersection while the engine was crossing and hit them hard enough to launch them into a slew of other vehicles. The captain of the engine was ejected and suffered head trauma. The passenger of the vehicle that hit them was also rushed into surgery with multi-system trauma.

This happened at a freeway intersection while all other vehicles were stopped except for the engine and the passenger vehicle. The speed limit is 35 mph in the intersection and the passenger vehicle's rate of speed was, as you can see from the pictures in the article, much greater than that.

Please keep the crew, captain and the passenger in your thoughts. Please watch for emergency vehicles (and all others on the road) as well. Thanks.

 

[slcsteve]

As if your job isn't difficult enough............

 

[Kratos]

What a stupid idiot. The fact that she was going fast enough to knock a fire engine off-course and not paying attention says a lot. Now we've got service personnel down. Man what an idiot.

 

[Unknownsoldier]

Jesus, how does a car like that move 18 tonnes out the way? How bloomin' fast would you have to be going? I've seen people do some stupid things when ambulances etc are breathing down their necks, but that takes the biscuit......

Hope every is well soon.

Tom

 

[Obsessed]

Wow, I hope everyone is ok. Sounds like the driver of the car was texting or doing something else distracting.

 

[citizensoldierny]

I'm a volunteer firefighter/EMT in my town and we have had quite a rash of stupid here lately. I think there is something in Long Island's water that make's one oblivious to Lights, sirens, and big red trucks and ambulances.
As for your brothers I wish them a speedy and complete recovery and they will be in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[mretzloff]

Wow. To knock a firetruck like that takes a lot if speed. What a fool.

Out of curiosity, when an emergency vehicle has their lights on and hits a car, do they stop or do they keep going? I'm think they'd keep going but call in a backup or something.

 

[scottydoint]

Wow. I have had a couple situations where ambulances have come up on me without me hearing them. They either didn't have the sirens on and just the flashing lights, or sometimes the sirens just aren't loud enough to hear over the music. I usually see them in my rearview though.

 

[Jethro1984]

Keeping the crew and others involved in thoughts/prayers. One public servant to another.

 

[Unknownsoldier]

Wow. To knock a firetruck like that takes a lot if speed. What a fool.

Out of curiosity, when an emergency vehicle has their lights on and hits a car, do they stop or do they keep going? I'm think they'd keep going but call in a backup or something.

UK, it is stop attend to victims, and radio for another vehicle to take the call, I think.

ATB,
Tom

 

[dwnwrdishvnwrd]

Out of curiosity, when an emergency vehicle has their lights on and hits a car, do they stop or do they keep going? I'm think they'd keep going but call in a backup or something.

It's our policy (and I think it would be pretty universal) to stop and have another unit cover the responding unit. We need to make sure there are no injuries and the vehicles have to stay on scene for police reports, etc.

The captain that was ejected from the engine is in ICU right now. They expect her to make a full recovery. Of course we have the quick response of the units that were called to the scene to thank for that. From the time the accident happened to the time they got her to the trauma center 2 1/2 miles away only 9 minutes had lapsed. That was by ground, no birds. The trauma team stabilized her pretty quickly and relieved her intracranial pressure with no problems so huge kudos go to them.

Thanks for the thoughts for their well being. I'm a firm believer that those positive vibes really do truly help.

 

[krissy]

Thoughts and prayers being sent...................

 

[SRock]

Your injured comrades will be in my prayers.

What a stupid idiot. The fact that she was going fast enough to knock a fire engine off-course and not paying attention says a lot. Now we've got service personnel down. Man what an idiot.

+1 Seriously! What was she driving an Abrams Tank? Moron should do time no questions asked!

 

[tsmba]

I was always taught that when I see an emergency vehicle, I am to slow down and pull to the side as soon as safely possible....even when out in the sticks with no one else around. It never ceases to amaze (and irritate) me when I see folks breeze along like nothing is different.
Of course, when I was in high school, we were required to take driver's ed. Now, it isn't even offered.

 

[krissy]

Of course, when I was in high school, we were required to take driver's ed. Now, it isn't even offered.

It's still offered in my dinky little town, (town population 1500) The grade 5 teacher teaches it in the summer time. But then he's the kinda teacher who takes the whole class fishing for the day on a day close to the end of the school year. But a few days prior to going they all go out to the football field and practice casting with a weight instead of a hook. His reason...... so kids learn a skill so if they are bored they can go fishing instead of taking up drugs.

 

[blackfoot]

I have been in and seen plenty of close calls with our various apparatus, myself. Even before I was on the fire department, this was a pet peeve of mine. Of course, my dad was 5-O. I pray all is well for your brothers-in-arms. And may Justice hit that driver as hard as she she possibly can.

 

[Sue]

Prayers for your brother firefighters and those involved. I grew up on fire department and it's a years long problem. How rescue or the truck can be overlooked is beyond me. If you see one emergency vehicle, be on the lookout for others, generally there are more.
Sue

 

[Kratos]

Prayers for your brother firefighters and those involved. I grew up on fire department and it's a years long problem. How rescue or the truck can be overlooked is beyond me. If you see one emergency vehicle, be on the lookout for others, generally there are more.
Sue

Well, when you have people driving around blaring their 1.8 Gigawatt sound systems, jibber-jabbering on phones, texting, and generally doing everything but paying attention to the road, it happens all too frequently. We are a bit lucky here. I have never had any issues while I'm gunning down the road with all the switches thrown. But I work at night, so there are less jackasses on the road. A lot of the time, people yield even when I'm just casually rolling up to a light. I am thankful for that, whatever their reasons are.

 

[Unknownsoldier]

Well, when you have people driving around blaring their 1.8 Gigawatt sound systems, jibber-jabbering on phones, texting, and generally doing everything but paying attention to the road, it happens all too frequently. We are a bit lucky here. I have never had any issues while I'm gunning down the road with all the switches thrown. But I work at night, so there are less jackasses on the road. A lot of the time, people yield even when I'm just casually rolling up to a light. I am thankful for that, whatever their reasons are.

I have my stereo on full blast most of the time pumping out some deep dark D&B, but through looking around me I know where emergency vehicles are... it's morons that just don't pay attention.... you really can't believe some of them... I mean just the other day one woman froze.. and sat in the middle of the road blocking the whole lot (should have heard the shout from other motorists, in the end the ambulance mounted the pavement to get round her and she was convinced she'd done the right thing!), glad the ambulance was 2 up, otherwise that poor patient would not have been comfortable.....

Tom