By Chloe Morrison
Chattanooga Times Free Press (Tennessee)
Copyright 2006 Chattanooga Publishing Company
The Rossville Fire Department is joining firehouses across the nation for the second annual fire safety stand-down, during which firefighters suspend all nonemergency activity to focus on safety.
A stand-down is a method used by the military to correct problems, said Capt. Shaughn Curran with the Rossville Fire Department.
This year’s stand-down is focusing on traffic and vehicle safety. According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, 26 people died last year in emergency vehicle-related accidents. The IAFC reports that 25 percent of all firefighter fatalities come in vehicle accidents.
Capt. Curran said Georgia law allows firetrucks responding to emergencies to drive about 10 mph over the speed limit, but he added that driving safely is a priority.
Rossville volunteer firefighter Amanda Kingsley expounded.
“If we can’t get to our scene safe, we’re no good,” she said.
The stand-down began Wednesday, Capt. Curran said. Firefighters checking all equipment and focusing on driver training. They concentrate on safety techniques like making eye contact with other drivers at intersections.
"(We also try) to create as much noise as (we) can coming through an intersection,” he said.
Firefighters said learning to drive the truck requires reading texts and, of course, practice.
Capt. Curran said he must approve everyone who wants to drive the truck, including volunteer Nathan Eaves.
“Safety is always important in the fire service,” Mr. Eaves said.
The Rossville Fire Department has a combination of volunteer and paid firefighters, so another safety issue involves the volunteers getting from their homes to the station. Chris Clanton said it takes him about three minutes to get to the station, while Mr. Eaves said he makes it in a little more than two minutes. Ms. Kingsley said her trip is about 10 minutes.
“You’ve got to watch your speed (and) be aware of other motorists,” she said.
Mr. Clanton said firefighters have a responsibility to their fellow workers and citizens to drive safely and he feels it is a privilege to have that responsibility.
"(The stand-down) refocuses and reteaches us the fundamentals of driving,” he said.
The stand-down is expected to go through Tuesday, Capt. Curran said. In addition to vehicle safety, firefighters will conduct safety and training drills, examine the condition of all equipment, replace unsafe equipment, review safety-related standard operating procedures and discuss safety.
Fire Chief Bill Eaves said in a written statement that Rossville residents need to do their part for safety as well.
“Remember to pull to the right when you see firetrucks or ambulances responding and use caution when driving by emergency scenes where firefighters or paramedics are helping accident victims,” he wrote.