r/Firefighting • u/karazykid Karazy TX FF • Nov 03 '13

ANNOUNCING: THE OFFICIAL WEEKLY VIDEO DISCUSSION THREAD! (Good title pending) WEEK 1

I am starting up a weekly thread where I will post a video (hopefully every sunday) and everyone will get the opportunity to discuss what went wrong, and what went right, what they would change etc etc.

I will leave it at the top of /r/firefighting for a little while but it will also be posted to the sidebar of the sub.

For this week here is a video of a truck heading to a call, and well just watch and discuss- click here! When the video messes up, just skip to 2:16

Also, do you have a video you would like to submit for the disccusion? Send it to me /u/karazykid, or message the mods! A decent title idea would be nice too.

Stick to the rules, keep your posts civil, it's just a discussion thread to help explain different things, and to help others discuss different scenarios.

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u/randino41 FF/ EMT Nov 04 '13

This video was shot in Delaware. Not sure what unit it was on but it was in New Castle County. This is tame compared to how units usually have to get through traffic. There are certain times of day when most of the highways are parking lots in certain directions. If trucks followed traffic laws, which they are exempt from doing in Delaware, it would take hours to get to a scene.

Here's the link to the Delaware Code to save the argument about fire trucks and traffic laws. http://delcode.delaware.gov/title21/c041/sc02/index.shtml

3

u/karazykid Karazy TX FF Nov 04 '13

This is very good information

2

u/randino41 FF/ EMT Nov 04 '13

Thanks. My second comment is purely based on what I've went through as a youtube admin for my fire dept.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbrdx7BcwdjmNpOUjgAYGqA

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u/whatnever German volunteer FF Nov 04 '13

If trucks followed traffic laws, which they are exempt from doing in Delaware, it would take hours to get to a scene.

Does this mean there are places where emergency vehicles aren't exempt from at least certain traffic laws?

2

u/randino41 FF/ EMT Nov 04 '13

I believe most states have set limits on what apparatus can do above the law or just require them to follow all traffic laws. Delaware is very fortunate when it comes to laws regarding the fire service and funding.

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u/WeAppreciateYou Nov 04 '13

I believe most states have set limits on what apparatus can do above the law or just require them to follow all traffic laws.

Wow. I really think that sheds light on the subject.

I love people like you.

2

u/randino41 FF/ EMT Nov 04 '13

Just to shed some light on how fortunate we are, read our ever so famous "fire chiefs law." 6701A.

http://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c067/

2

u/whatnever German volunteer FF Nov 04 '13

Interesting.

In Germany, emergency vehicles are exempt from traffic laws when en route to an emergency with the exception of not being allowed to endanger or harm anyone. How far to go is up to the driver, it just has to be reasonable.

When using both visible and audible warning signals, emergency vehicles additionally have the right of way, so everyone else must make room for them to pass.

Accidents involving emergency vehicles are treated just as regular accidents. Whether or not the driver is acquitted of any guilt depends on how reasonable the driving was and how much share of the blame goes to the other parties involved.

1

u/karazykid Karazy TX FF Nov 04 '13

Again thank you for this information, I chose this video specifically due to the controversy it caused in the comment section of youtube. You have started a very informative thread which is exactly what I was hoping for with these types of videos.