FIREHOUSE MAGAZINE EMERGENCY VEHICLE OPERATIONS PERSONALLY OPERATED VEHICLES P.O.V. S KILL Unfortunately there has been a steady increase in the number of firefighters killed behind the wheel of their own personal vehicles recently. In this month s column we will discuss causative factors and some guidelines that may help to stem this tide In White House Tennessee in August the fire department was dispatched to a motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of a 25 year old lieutenant. He died two miles from his home responding to a motor vehicle accident. Responders said he was not wearing a seat belt. This is the first line of duty death in this fire departments twenty five year history. A twenty five year old Indiana man who was driving towards his father s burning home was killed in a motor vehicle accident involving a 17 year old cadet firefighter. The victim was reportedly driving to his father s house where the structure fire had been reported and his car was struck at an intersection. 1
Police theorize that the 17 year old fire cadet was probably either driving to the scene of the fire or to the fire station when the accident occured. The cadet was being treated for a head laceration and was listed in stable condition. Mean while the victim s cause of the death was listed as blunt force trauma and he died at the scene. A Kansas volunteer firefighter was involved in a responding crash in August. He collided with a civilian vehicle at an intersection. Witnesses said that the firefighter had the lights and sirens activated on his car prior to the crash. Finally a forty four year old Arkansas firefighter was killed while responding to a medical call. It is alleged that the firefighter lost control of his P.O.V. and was killed. Provided here are some recommendations that we can all live by 1. Drive your P.O.V. like your family members are still in the car as you respond. 2. Always wear a seat belt a young man s life could have been saved if he did. 3. Respond within the posted speed limit and under control, you are no good to anyone if you do not get there. In fact you have made it worse 2
now there are two incidents for the I.C. to handle and you are one of them 4. Remember you are supposed to be part of the solution not part of the problem. 5. When at home back your P.O.V. into the driveway. Remember you cannot make time up on the road. 6. Never try to beat a train or the gates at a rail crossing. 7. Always respond with a window cracked so that you may be able to hear other vehicles especially those of other responders 8. In the winter time make sure you have a system in place to combat frost or snow on the vehicle s windshield. You cannot drive blind. 9. School is open be mindful of a stopped school bus with red lights flashing. Regardless of what vehicle you are in or what you are responding to everyone must always stop for the red flashing lights of a school bus that means everyone including you. 10. Some states consider responding P.O.V. s of volunteer firefighters emergency vehicles entitled to have red lights and sirens. Yet other states like mine, the state of New York allow volunteer firefighters to have blue lights. They are supposed to be courtesy lights where the public will see 3
them and pull over. Regardless of what your state allows you are not being given license to break the law with any colored lights. 11. You will be held criminally and civilly liable for your actions behind the wheel of your P.O.V. 12. Fall is here be carefully driving in wet leaves they are a lot like driving on ice. 13. Fall is also a time in some parts of the country that there are many periods of fog slow down adjust your driving to the poor conditions. 14. Blowing snow or sand depending of which part of the country you hail from can be just as blinding as dense fogs again adjust your driving to the poor conditions. 15. Moose and deer are in the rut this time of year moving around frequently in search of a mate. As you respond be wary of large animals along side of the road that could cause you to swerve, dart out in front of you or cause you to lose control of your vehicle or worse hit an animal where you could be killed. Remember you are responsible for your own personal safety your family, friends, the fire department and your community are counting on you to honor that commitment. 4
Season. May you and your family enjoy a Happy and Healthy Holiday Firehouse Magazine November 2008 By Michael Wilbur 5