Protecting ourselves from traffic is not just about vests and cones! My company and I experienced a close call from traffic in the last place you expect. In front of quarters preparing to back in at 11 in the morning. What makes it worse, other than actually being struck, is that the vehicle that almost struck crew members and the apparatus was a municipal dump truck being used as a snow plow! This really reinforces that we need to do it by the book, our book, each and every time we got on and off the truck no mater where, when or why. This occurred just as we returned from being out as a crew on routine daily business. We pulled up on the residential street in front of the station as we do any number of times a day. As we approached the driver had activated all of our warning lights as we came to a stop as per our practice at our stations that we must block traffic when backing in or maneuvering . Being an officer I checked my mirror before dismounting as it is not uncommon for civilian drivers to try to pass us with what ever room they may have between the trucks and the curb line. The Firefighter in the right side riding position also looked out his window to make sure it was clear before we dismounted the rig. The same was done by the Firefighter on left side. It’s worth note that the three of us had on turnouts or department clothing with reflective tape. As we had made our approach the Driver and I had noted a dump truck being used as a snow plow from the municipality our station covers that would approach from behind us. There was a light to moderate snow falling. Not an unusual event for our area. The plow truck was well over a block behind us and had to stop for a controlled intersection before approaching our position when we activated our lights. My driver was aware my plan was to wave the plow by once we had moved and the truck was in a position to make space for the plow to pass safely. It is our common practice to let traffic pass if they are stopped behind us and we are not yet prepared to back up into the station. Just as we had dismounted we going to walk to the back of the apparatus to direct any traffic and be in position to back the apparatus as per our department SOP. Without us taking so much as a step the plow had not only approached our position but had not stopped or even slowed for our red lights. I yelled a caution to the firefighter that was on the right side of the truck with me that the plow was approaching at speed. We had to step back and be in physical contact with our apparatus to provide just enough room for the plow to pass between us and the curb. The plows blade was against the curb. Had it hit something such as a sewer grate or large chunk of ice it could have jumped over and crushed us between the plow and the apparatus. The driver of the plow was oblivious to our standing there. It was as if he did not even see the 47 foot long 11 foot high 35 ton apparatus with all warning lights on. He certainly did not see us, now pedestrians or worse did not care. A Fire Department safety review was initiated immediately by me and the duty Battalion Chief. The local Police and Public Works Dept were immediately notified. No one from outside the Fire Dept has made any contact beyond our initial notification/complaint as of yet. It seemed at the time and still today that the local PD was treating this as a very low priority and the Public works department? We have heard nothing. This is a driver that should have known better. This entire incident should show us that we need to watch out for our selves each and every time we go out, no mater the reason, emergency call or mundane daily duties and business. We need to keep in mind that distracted and inattentive drivers can be anywhere, anytime and driving anything! Keep you eyes and ears open around the apparatus all the time, keep you head on a swivel. A traffic vest, cones and blocking apparatus are a must working in the roadway but they may not stop an approaching vehicle. We must remember that we don’t always have all these safety items on or available or would they be practical. Do you ware a traffic vest each time you dismount a rig? Inspecting, Training, preplanning or shopping for firehouse meals? Situational awareness is a must we can not count on others to watch out for us even other public departments.
LESSONS LEARNED:
Situational awareness is key to our safety
