ArticleCS

Keep it right

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Scott Edgmond
  • 99th Civil Engineer Squadron
We've all heard the piercing cry of the sirens while going about our day. 'No worries, it can't be headed this way,' we think. But, what is that you see in your rearview mirror? It's the flashing lights of an emergency response vehicle.

This is usually when things get a little tricky. We all know we need to get out of the way, but sometimes it seems the nerves take over and a cool calm reaction just isn't going to happen.

Since most of us will be involved in an emergency response, be it watching the fire truck, police car or ambulance fly past or having to move out of one of those vehicles way, it probably is a good idea to know what appropriate actions to taken when you see an emergency response vehicle. But first you need to remember one thing.

All emergency response vehicles have the right of way. As the emergency vehicle with red lights flashing and sirens in operations, all traffic must immediately clear all intersections, and safely move as far to the right as possible before coming to a complete stop. Once the emergency vehicle has completely passed, vehicles operators may resume driving.

There have been a few problems with these procedures when it comes to the new round about on base. There have been a few times when vehicles have stopped in the round about when drivers saw the emergency response vehicles. A nice and easy fix for this problem is to stick with appropriate plan. Safely clear the intersection after exiting the round-a-bout. Pull far enough ahead and to the right of the road so the emergency response vehicles have room to safely drive around your vehicle.

With everyone's help we can make the road a little bit safer, not just for emergency responders, but for all drivers.

If you have any fire and emergency service related questions, call the fire prevention office at 652-9630.