Every year there are hundreds of accidents involving emergency vehicles and the public. Most of these accidents can be prevented! When the fire department and the public work together, we can all stay safe! 

Here are some excellent tips on what to do when you see an emergency vehicle approaching:

• Stay calm and don't panic!

• Your goal is to pull to the right and slowly come to a complete stop.

• Don't slam on your brakes! We need time to slow down for you also. 
• If you are traveling at a high speed (45mph or more) and there is no place for you to safely pull over, try to slow down as much as possible.

• If an emergency vehicle is approaching you from behind and you are already stopped at a stop sign or intersection, just stay put. They will safely pass you.

• If an emergency vehicle approaches you from the opposite lane of travel, slowly come to a stop as a courtesy.  It may need part of your lane to pass a vehicle that is in front of it. 

• If you are on the interstate you do not have to stop.  However, you should stay in the right hand lane and stay well behind us. Do not pass us on the interstate! This is a dangerous driving practice. If we have to make a sudden lane change and you are in our path, it may result in an accident that is easily preventable.

• Once we've passed you stay behind us at least 400 feet. We often have to stop suddenly and keeping your distance will help prevent a rear-end collision.

• Never pull into the left lane to avoid an emergency vehicle! Always go to the right, if safely possible.

• Don't try to outrun any emergency vehicle. By law, a fire truck can travel up to 10mph over the speed limit when they are responding emergency traffic (all visible and audible warning devices activated) to a call. If you are able to stay a good distance ahead of us, then there is a good chance you are traveling over the speet limit.  And this is dangerous for not only yourself, but other drivers on the road as well! Be courteous and simply pull over.

• Remember: Many emergency workers have been seriously injured and killed as a result of the negligence of a civilian driver.  Never simply ignore an emergency vehicle, whether it is responding to a call or it is already on the scene of an emergency.  Lives are in your hands.  Act responsibly!