BCJack, question

[Officer_Grady]

I take it your are a BC on the central coast. Why does the FD want to block lanes all the time? I know they want scene safety, but if we are there first, pull to the front, if we need to cut someone out, yes, I'll block everything, why not look for the direction of the person who is IC? If we are not there, block whatever you want, but if we are there, look to see where we are pointing to go. Not to be pointed at you, BC, you are the only fire person here.

[bcjack]

Grady:

As with many Officers, Firefighters are hit and injured or killed at roadway incidents. In fact, getting run over at roadway incidents is the #3 cause for Firefighters dying after heart attacks and cancer. We as a group have developed methods to park our appparatus at roadway incidents that puts the 50,000 lb. fire engine between the crappy drivers and the incident. The 50,000 lb fire engine provides much more protection than the 4,000 lb Crown Vic.

I understand that the CHP is the IC, and we try to set up as the IC wants. Normally, in our area we do not receive any direction from the CHP Officer(s) at the scene as they are busy doing other things. Also, some of the tools and equipment we use have limitations as to how far we can park away from the "job site". In addition, one of the biggest factors as to how the scene gets set up is COMMUNICATION...We are on the border of the Santa Maria Office and San Luis Obispo Office and have met with the local CHP Commanders and developed an excellent working relationship with them. We have communicated our needs and desires, and they have communicated their needs and desires. While not perfect, it seems to be working ok.

Thanks for the question, as one of the reasons I am at this forum is to learn and share.

I hope this answers your question...

Check the web site: respondersafety.com :smile:

[Officer_Grady]

Oh, my comments weren't directed at you, but at the EMS/Fire response. I respect your opinions here and was wondering. Sounds like the officers need to take charge and wave to the responding units where to park and such. Even if they do, only 50 percent of the time, it works. For example, I'm the first one on scene on a car into a stopped vehicle. Looks bad, yes, I need an ambulance cause this guy looks like he's got a dislocation in the shoulder (I had one before). I got two of four lanes blocked, I got Freeway Service Patrol and then even DOT with arrow board and cone truck show up. I'm tending to the injured, I yell to the FSP guy, put the fire engine behind the crashed car. What does the engine do? Block the #2 and #3 when I already had the #1 and #2 lanes they could have stopped at. Sometimes, it works, sometimes, it doesn't. So the ambulance has to park behind the fire engine, sticking out, blocking the #2 and #3 lanes meaning I only have one lane open. Two lanes closed, I could live with, three was totally unnecessary. Of course, I know one of the fire guys and ask was he driving. He said the biggest guy there was driving and I tell that guy to park where the rig ain't sticking out cause if it gets hit, it's preventable on the FD. The driver says, "I was wondering why people were waving at me to park by you" Patient extricated himself already and makes the patient walk 50 feet when if they parked where they were directed, the walk would have been 20 feet. Oh, learned another saying from an old FD guy, if someone plays that they are IC, I'll tell them to make sure they get a copy of their report to my office by next shift, I'm leaving. :lol:

[bcjack]

Grady:

I understand your situation...We used to go through that same kind of "do your own thing" before we had some inter-agency discussions. I totally agree that the scenario you described was not so good. I have an advantage over most as I was a Level I Reserve Officer for 16 years and completely understand the idea of blocking too many lanes creates more problems that it fixes. Like, more frustrated drivers (Pissed off drivers) which leads to crappy driving, which leads to more crashes.

I can only speak for what we do locally, and so far, we have a pretty good deal going.

As a side note, one of the premier fire departments in the nation has an SOP on the subject that has been copied a lot. i have included the link below.

Stay Safe out there...Don't be shy about stopping at one of your local fire stations for a cup of coffee (Better than Starbucks and a lot cheaper) and discuss your concerns from an educational point of view. Most of us are eager to learn about the "Other guy's" world.


http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/FIRE/20507a.html :biggrin:

[Officer_Grady]

I pay house dues at one house, just kidding. Some just want to drop you name when they get stopped, some are really genuine. Some want to know the retirement package. I've had a few bbq turkey dinners at this one house. All good guys, a few stand offish, but that's everywhere, even here at HP. Life's too short, enjoy it.

[dw]

Stay Safe out there...Don't be shy about stopping at one of your local fire stations for a cup of coffee (Better than Starbucks and a lot cheaper) and discuss your concerns from an educational point of view. Most of us are eager to learn about the "Other guy's" world.


http://www.ci.phoenix.az.us/FIRE/20507a.html :biggrin:

I have to say that working the road (I'm in an admin spot now), that's the one thing I regret doing that I plan on doing consistently when I return. I think part of it was being new and not knowing how they would react, but every Fire guy and girl I've met has been hospitable and offered coffee any time I could stop by.

I'll also step out on a limb here and say I've never had a single problem with Fire at a scene. I honestly believe a lot is in presentation. If someone came up to me and "told" me to move my rig, I'd probably offer a little resistance, too. I've always tried to be friendly and "ask" for what I'd like done. Speaking for myself, when I go into "IC mode," it's all about getting the job done. Whether it be your Sergeant of FSP, it's easy (because it works best) to give orders and move on. I think having a rapport with our own guys is what makes it okay, but a lot of us are lacking that rapport/camaraderie with Fire. I can see how we could come off as being Adam-Henry's as opposed to just taking care of our scene.

[Mac]

...We are on the border of the Santa Maria Office and San Luis Obispo Office and have met with the local CHP Commanders and developed an excellent working relationship with them. We have communicated our needs and desires, and they have communicated their needs and desires. While not perfect, it seems to be working ok...
That sounds like a great setup, bcjack....I wish those same lines of communication were established everywhere. Without going into a lot of detail, we've had a couple incidents of this type recently that have turned real ugly.

[bcjack]

Mac:

All it takes is someone to make the first move...:smile:

A cup of fire station coffee can be a great start...

[Chippysgt]

Mac:

All it takes is someone to make the first move...:smile:

A cup of fire station coffee can be a great start...

Hmmmm. I wonder if that applies to retirees too? I plan on moving to Cambria, maybe as soon as June and it is just a hop, skip and jump to SLO.:cool:

[Welpe]

Hey Chippysgt, you'll be just up the road from me as well. Cambria is beautiful, that sounds like a good choice to me. :biggrin:

[Chippysgt]

Hey Chippysgt, you'll be just up the road from me as well. Cambria is beautiful, that sounds like a good choice to me. :biggrin:

Yeah, the wife and I went there on our honeymoon 30 years ago and spent the night with now retired CHP office Mike Poelking. Mike and I were partners in Riverside. We decided then and there that was where we would like to retire. Bought some land, dirt cheap in those days. Parleyed that into an ocean view house a few years later and operated it as a rental business for over 20 years. Now, we are selling our central valley home and moving there. It is about time!!!

[retchp]

Boy it's a good thing you cleared that up for me Brian. I was about to accuse you of being rich or on the take after reading your first post about "moving to Cambria". :lol:

Then I see that you were smarter than the average Chippy and made a good investment years ago instead of buying that speedboat etc. I know you will love it there and it is still going to be a great investment. Well done!

[Chippysgt]

Nope, no speed boat but I did have a fishing boat!!

My biggest toy was a hot air balloon. I have a commercial pilot license and took people for rides in Yolo county. Of course, they paid a handsome tariff to become sky sailors and the toy paid for itself.

I would do that in the morning and then go write tickets on swing shift in the afternoon, ho hum...........

:cool:

[Welpe]

Smart move in investing! I bet that property is worth a pretty penny now. I love that area of the coast, it makes for a great Saturday or Sunday afternoon drive. :cool:

[Chippysgt]

Smart move in investing! I bet that property is worth a pretty penny now. I love that area of the coast, it makes for a great Saturday or Sunday afternoon drive. :cool:

Yeah, the property up there is out of sight these days. I feel very fortunate. I just wish I had sold my present home a little sooner. I waited until last June and the market got real soft in a hurry. Now that it is sold with a contingency I have to sweat the buyers selling their place but it will happen sooner or later.

Maybe we will meet one of these days.

Brian

[bcjack]

One of the BIG reasons we "Block" the road at some calls!!!

http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_3747880