Responding To An Incident

During the week, a Michigan volunteer firefighter was suspended for improper use of lights and siren. Click here for the story. A good quote that we can all use is this:
""The incident you are responding to already happened, and driving like a mad man to get there will not change that. It may actually cause another unintended incident." — mjf2

Although us getting there is a priority to safety especially in an MVC and us trying to focus on the golden hour, but we have to remember that it's not our emergency. This is someone else's emergency and we DO NOT want to create yet another emergency. If it's a collision in a personal vehicle responding to the accident, we've not only created another incident, but we've lost the manpower for however long. If this happens in fire apparatus, then we not only lose the manpower, we also lose use of the apparatus while it gets checked out and repaired.

When responding to/from the hall to go to a scene, follow the speed limits and all signs, it doesn't take long and you'll have a much better chance of making it. Lights and sirens don't GIVE you the right-of-way, they are like asking for permission to have the right-of-way. Make eye contact, make sure everyone knows you're there, then proceed. Don't drive too fast for the current conditions, and although this may be difficult to judge sometimes, use common sense. If it's snowy and icy out, reduce your speed and make sure you make it to the scene safely. All of these are also included when you're returning to the hall. If it's foggy out, reduce your speed. One of the best ways to think clearly is before you even leave the hall, stop, take a deep breath, and calm yourself down. If you can calm your adrenaline down, you can make better, more clear decisions.

Be safe, and be sure you make it home safe, every time, always. Use better judgment than what's been happening lately. There have been a rash of stories lately about accidents involving responding firefighters and fire apparatus. Plus you can also have incidents involving other apparatus. Clear your intersections properly. Don't get complacent.



Brad MacMillan