Posted on 05/27/2005 10:29:27 PM PDT by kingattax
OMAHA, Neb. -- An Omaha fire truck responding to a house fire was hit by a car Friday morning.
The collision between the car and fire truck happened at 60th Street and Ames Avenue. Omaha police said the car's driver may have been distracted by a cruiser driving in the opposite direction with the lights on.
The car collided with the fire engine, which also had its lights and sirens on.
There were no injuries and only minor damage to the fire truck.
The fire crew was on its way to a house fire at 42nd Street and Grand Avenue.
Everyone got out safely, thanks to neighbors and a family dog, which woke the residents up.
The fire was contained to the back of the building and is under investigation.
I'll bet they really grilled him.
I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often as "it's all about me" doofuses run lights while yakking on their cell phones.
Another Vonage moment.
I find that the Phoenix drivers are careful to pullover and stop for emergency vehicles. All of them stop. I think of it not only as a good safety measure but also as a sign of respect.
It does happen often. The number one killer of firefighters and medics is being hit at intersections while running lights and sirens to a call.
Often, the same scenario as this one occurs. A driver barely pays attention to the first emergency vehicle passing through and then pulls out in front of the second one.
It seems very few drivers know any more that you must pull over to the right and STOP. Then before resuming, check for any other emergency vehicles.
Evil firetrucks, lke evil SUV's MUST be dealt with!!! Hee Hee
Omaha police said the car's driver may have been distracted by a cruiser driving in the opposite direction with the lights on....Oh!, look at the pretty lights!....BANG!
I drive a 100' platform truck for a vol fire dept. I would never think of running any red light. I always slow to make sure all crossing traffic has come to a stop. I had one instance where a police squad from my village pulled in to opposing traffic to make a way for us. The squad car got hit by some doofus.
That's the way to do it. Unfortunately, it doesn't always work too many accidents occur with the green. I've been in two big accidents. One, the rig I was in was proceeding through a green light, and the driver had slowed and was happily blowing away on the air horn, when a semi blew the red and plowed into my side of the cabin ending our response to the scene. The other, some jerk (oblivious to the lights and sirens) was pissed that the car in front of him was stopped at a green so he pulled out and floored it....right into us head on as we were proceeding through the intersection....and found out the hard way that a pumper traveling 10-15 and accelerating still takes a bit to stop.
Kudos to the Vol. FF. from a FF-EMT. :-)
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