Gordon Graham
Category: Fire

Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for firefighters.

Focus on the right things. Don’t worry about how quickly you can get there. Focus on doing what you need to do to get there safely.

Today’s Tip is for firefighters and today I am talking about safely driving your apparatus when you respond to an emergency. 

Everyone in public safety shares a common objective. We all need to arrive at the scene of an emergency safely. If we don’t get there, we can’t help anyone. 

Whether you’re an experienced apparatus operator or newly promoted, please keep a few things in mind.  

Remember that the apparatus you are driving is much bigger than virtually everything else on the road. This means that it will take you longer to stop. And it means that you can’t maneuver as quickly as you could in other vehicles.  

Another thing to keep in mind is that your apparatus may be carrying water. The water can shift. This can change your center of gravity. 

Slow down. Your lights and siren may exempt you from some traffic laws, but they do not exempt you from the laws of physics. And, statistically speaking, driving fast does not effectively improve your overall travel time. 

Focus on the right things. Don’t worry about how quickly you can get there. Focus on doing what you need to do to get there safely.  

Know your response area well enough that you can plan your route before you leave the station. Perform a visual inspection of the apparatus before you move it. Make sure everyone is belted in.  

As you drive, anticipate that motorists will fail to yield. And some may even pull out right in front of you.  

Alter your speed for traffic and road conditions. 

Do your part. Make sure your crew arrives safely so that you can be there to help those who need it. 

And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Gordon Graham signing off.