Slow Down for First Responders

 

Dew Volunteer Fire Department (VFD) Engine 56 was struck by an 18-wheeler while they were on I-45 at an accident scene on the morning of Tuesday, October 13, 2020.

No one was injured.

They were dispatched to a scene where a pickup truck had hit a hog, and blocked traffic to remove the hog from the highway.

Next they moved all vehicles and apparatus to the inside, or left, lane of traffic to make sure the pickup truck was protected as a wrecker worked to load the vehicle.

Dew VFD personal was conducting traffic control when one person announced that a vehicle was remaining in the left hand lane of traffic.

All vehicles had their emergency lights operating, including directional lighting.

Everyone was able to flee to safety as the 18-wheeler slammed on its brakes, jackknifed and subsequently clipped the emergency vehicle.
While no one was injured, they were extremely luck as this incident could have led to someone being injured or killed.

Words of Wisdom

Chief of the Dew Volunteer Fire Department Monte Atchley made a few very important comments and things for anyone driving to take time to consider.

The goal for all emergency responders is to respond to the scene and safely return to our families. First of all to all fire departments, it is imperative that the safety of our personnel take priority.

Apparatus can be replaced but personnel cannot. In my opinion working traffic is in some ways more dangerous than fighting a structure fire.

When fighting a structure, our PPE protects us just as the apparatus protects us on the roadways.

Freestone Fire Association will be discussing traffic safety in future meetings to try to figure out better procedures for personnel safety.

Questions you might ask yourself on an accident scene:

–Are responders in harm’s way?

–Are we training our personnel to be aware and attentive to oncoming traffic?

–Are we allowing phones to be a distraction while on scene?

–Do we have a way to alert all personnel on scene for an oncoming hazard?

I would also like to speak to the public concerning driving to and thru an emergency scene.

I understand that it is an inconvenience when traffic is slowed or stopped, BE PATIENT!

Is it worth injuring or even killing a first responder just because you want to get to your destination!

You have to remember that all emergency responders have families too!

Know the Laws

Texas DPS Sergeant Ryan W. Howard reminds us that there are laws on how drivers should handle being around vehicles working on Texas roadways.

Legislation introduced 2003 requires motorists to move over or slow down when certain vehicles are stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated.

These vehicles include vehicles for:

–Police

–Fire

-Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

–Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicles

–Tow trucks

As a result of the 86th Legislative Session additional vehicles were added to the list of vehicles that require motorists to move over or slow down.

These vehicles include:

–Highway maintenance/construction vehicles under contract with TxDOT

–Utility service vehicles

–Stationary solid waste

–Recycling vehicles

Specifically, Texas law states that a driver must either:

–Vacate the lane closest to the applicable vehicles stopped on the side of the road (if the road has multiple lanes traveling in the same direction)

–Slow down to 20 mph below the speed limit. (If the speed limit is below 25 mph, the driver must slow down to 5 mph)