STRUCK IN TRAFFIC
EDITOR’S OPINION
Over the past five years, the fire service has been inspired to a greater awareness of apparatus safety and maintenance. This inspiration has translated into real gains-the number of firefighters injured and killed in apparatus accidents is declining. Still, the NFFA reports that in 1992 there were 11,500 accidents involving fire department emergency vehicles-resulting in 1,050 firefighter injuries-and seven firefighters died en route to emergency incidents. The potential for firefighter injury and death on the roads is everpresent.
Although we will never eliminate that potential so long as people operate moving machines, the reality is that most apparatus accidents are preventable. The majority of apparatus accidents inevitably are traced to failures in apparatus management/maintenance, operator training, negligent civilian drivers, and/or common safety sense.
The fire service should not have to endure any more Catlett Virginias or Waterbury Connecticuts or Shepherdsville Kentuckys or numerous other tragedies, but that will depend primarily on the degree of responsibility for fire department apparatus safety that members choose to accept. What is your level of responsibility?
Following are a few points for your consideration.
You are of no service to people in the burning building if you become an emergency yourself.
Be a defensive driver-assume the mindset that civilian drivers will not yield the right-of-way.
A right-of-way exemption is not an exemption from liability.
A red light means the same thing it meant when you went to kindergarten-even in an emergency.
You do not get merit points on earth or in heaven for being first on the scene.
You would not enter the fire building without your protective ensemble; yet, the overwhelming majority of apparatus driving fatalities were not wearing seat belts.
The company officer may be held legally accountable for the actions of the driver.
The fire apparatus is not a hay wagon. If you typically have two or five or eight members hanging off the apparatus during responses, you must rethink your transportation policy and strategy. Consider adding a low-cost “fire department transport vehicle”-a refurbished or converted van, for example – to your response fleet. No one should ride the back step.
“SOP” does not mean “step on the peddle” – establish and use SOPs for both emergency and nonemergency conditions.
Never be afraid to put a vehicle out of service if, after inspection, there is any doubt as to its ability to perform safely.
A quality apparatus preventive maintenance and inspection program is a budget necessity, not a concession.
Joe the neighborhood mechanic may be a great guy, but that doesn’t make him a qualified mechanic of fire department vehicles.
Admitting that you’re emotionally stressed, fatigued, or have had a few drinks and you shouldn’t drive the rig is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Know your jurisdiction-bridge loads, overpass heights, traffic patterns, road geography, traffic signs, trouble/caution areas, etc.
Ensure that a tillerman is in place before the apparatus rolls.
Fire conditions do not supersede road conditions.
Always operate fire department vehicles to manufacturer specifications and recommendations.
Be involved with local, regional, and national apparatus associations/groups. The informational give-and-take is invaluable-get on the mailing lists.
Pursue a system for apparatus inspection at the state level, be it through the motor vehicle department or equivalent agency or through a fire serviceorganized and -policed system.
Lobby the motor vehicle department to make a greater effort to take incompetent drivers off the streets and to make driving actions during emergency vehicle response an integral part of regular driver testing.
On behalf of all of us at Fire Engineering, I wish you a very happy and safe 1994.
