By Tucker D. Palmatier, Capt. Glendale (Ohio) Fire Department
In 2010, the Glendale Fire Department held a department-wide training event where the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation presented its Life Safety Initiatives. During the training, the National Fire Service Seat Belt Pledge was explained and passed around for signatures.
Most of the firefighters and officers pledged to ensure all firefighters are belted in before leaving the station.
After a few months, the pledge started to fade into firefighters’ memories. One afternoon, my crew was dispatched to a fire alarm drop.
As we left the station, I asked: “Does everyone have their seatbelt on?” An echoing “YES!” was given from the back seats. I looked at the driver and said, “Let’s roll.”
As we turned onto the main road, I noticed someone moving around in the back of the vehicle. I looked back to see one of the firefighters struggling to find his seat belt. The seat belt had fallen between the seats, and he was unable to locate it.
Knowing the answer, I asked again: “Does everyone have their seatbelt on?” Another firefighter responded, “Yes, we are good back here, just go.”
I responded with, “Don’t lie to me! I’m looking right at him.” and ordered the driver to pull the truck over. My driver gave me a surprised look and pulled the engine over.
With the lights off and the siren winding down, we waited for the firefighter to get belted in.
The firefighters initially questioned my decision. I made it clear that I didn’t care what the call was, if we were not safe, we were not going to proceed to the alarm.
Once the firefighter was buckled in, we resumed the response.
After the run, I notified the chief of my actions. I was anticipating the rumor mill to question my actions. I could already hear the “bumper talk” and grumbling in my head.
I was surprised when my chief was extremely supportive of my actions. He reinforced my decision and encouraged me to do it again if necessary. His support enabled me to do the right thing even though my safety concerns were not always popular with my fellow firefighters.
The catchphrase “Don’t lie to me!” gained popularity among the firefighters and officers. It was often jokingly accompanied by, “Don’t make me pull this engine over.”
Whenever the officer in charge of an engine asked, “Is everyone belted in?” “Don’t lie to me” became the sobering statement for everyone on the department.
It drove home the fact that firefighter safety was paramount. Merely saying you were wearing your seat belt was not good enough.
Mandatory seatbelt use became so well supported, that firefighters began buddy checking each other. When the Glendale Fire Department purchased a new frontline engine, technology replaced some of the guesswork involved.
Now a computer monitors the seats and their seatbelt statuses. However, we continue to reinforce that it is never acceptable to remove your seatbelt while a vehicle is in motion.
Safety-conscious firefighters understand that if they don’t get their personal protective equipment on before the run, they will wait until the truck stops at the fire scene. They will not get ready while the fire truck is moving.
Focusing on the seat belt training provided by the NFFF may seem like a minor safety concern to some firefighters, but experience has demonstrated that it can save lives. Both leaders and firefighters alike need to insist that safety procedures are always followed.
At the end of the day, our most important mission is to ensure every firefighter returns home safely to his or her family.