This is unreal

**Beans** · 02-13-08, 08:39 AM

http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/new...B?OpenDocument

**Pudge** · 02-13-08, 08:52 AM

I'm mixed on this one.

The old part time hosedragger in me says to keep the lane blocked until the extrication is complete and crews are done working. With toting equipment around the vehicles and working rescue, it really does require a fair amount of room to do everything safely. Once the patient is extricated and equipment returned to the truck, move the rig off to the side if you have to remain on scene for one reason or another.

Now, the full time po-po which occupies most of my head says, get the extrication done and get that damned big red tool box off my road as quick as possible. I've been in some of those arguments with guys even from my own FD and had to use the threat of towing the damn truck because they just wanted to let it sit and look pretty with no reason to take up more space. No extrication, they were just leaving it in the road because they could. I've been pissed, but not to the point of threatening arrest. That's just an ego contest that's not going to end well.

I'm all for using the truck to make a safety zone when needed for work. I'd much rather have some clueless moron hit the rescue truck and not move a thing, rather than my cruiser which will get pushed who knows where. But when it's time to open things up, open them up and get moving.

**Terminator** · 02-13-08, 09:20 AM

Unreal.

**narcodog** · 02-13-08, 10:01 AM

I just read an article from White Co. Ga. where the Fire Chief of Helen Ga. was arrested for going through a road check point on his way to a medical emergency by the White Co. S.O. Ridiculous.

In the words of a great philosopher, "Can't we all just get a long together?"

That article is on WSBTV.com if anyone wants to read it or post it here.

I gotta learn how to cut and paste.

**MacLean** · 02-13-08, 12:34 PM

Here, it works like this:

Hoseheads - Flames and patients.

Us - Everything else, including the road.

Divide the responsibility thusly, and most problems are averted.

We worked with our FD and trained them, and they in turn trained us.

With a good understanding of what we each needed, we get along great!