On December 20th at 1820 hours, our units were called for a motor vehicle accident requiring extrication. The assignment included two engine companies, a ladder company, an ambulance, and a Battalion Chief. Both engines were used to block the scene from oncoming traffic. The ambulance and ladder were parked downstream of the accident in the lanes that were blocked by the engines. Traffic cones were set out to guide traffic around the accident and the working crews. Crews were able to safely extricate and treat the patients. After the extrication was complete, our ladder crew began to put the equipment away. While one of the fire fighters was returning to the truck with the spreaders, he walked with his back to the flow of traffic. He felt something strike him in the center of his back, which knocked him against the ladder truck and then to the ground. He was able to look up from the ground and see a white pick-up driving away, either unaware or aloof that they had hit someone. Luckily, our fire fighter sustained only minor injuries and was able to return to work his next shift.
Since the driver of the vehicle did not stop, we can only speculate as to the cause of the accident. Whether intoxication, sleep deprivation, rubber necking, or just not paying attention, does not matter. What does matter is one of our guys, working in a well protected scene, was hit by a by-passing truck and could have been severely injured or killed. In addition to the precautions taken at this scene, what else can we do to avoid this reoccurring? Always operate facing traffic. Use a spotter to help if you must turn your back to traffic. Increase distance between you and traffic. Use additional blocking if needed. During daytime operations, leave all emergency lights on whenever possible. During nighttime operations, turn off headlights and reduce other emergency lights to yellow lights and emergency flashers when possible. This will help reduce the blinding effect to oncoming motorists.
