To the Editor:
It was very unfortunate for the trauma of
the four injured fireman, the loss of their experience to the
county, the cost of their medical treatment, the use/cost of a
helicopter (which could have been used/available for life
threatening injuries), the same for the extra
time/staff/equipment of the extra ambulances to transport them.
And at the time of budget cuts to the county, the lost of a very
perfectly good expensive fire apparatus is not only out of
commission but the cost of having to purchase a replacement.
My prayers to
the Higher Power goes to thanks that it was not worse, with loss
of life. Especially that the high power wires on the broken
poles did not come down and electrocute anyone.
Some statements
in some published news reports seem to focus on being careful
not to bring up contributing factors on the county side and
appears that the sole cause was the alleged “left turning
vehicle” into the path of the truck.
The articles ( Maryland
Independent/St. Mary’s Today) seem to indicate that the other
vehicle “made a left turn from southbound Old Washington Rd into
the path of the squad”. That would indicate the squad must have
been traveling on the northbound side expecting to pass the
vehicle, across the double yellow, no passing lines.
The reminding
advice of Waldorf Fire Chief, Dan Stevens, points out very
important points to citizens. However, to even an untrained eye,
that the size of those top-heavy trucks can not compete in
maneuverability of a four-wheel vehicle. Therefore common sense,
professional training would dictate that fact.
It is a given
that the ‘other’ vehicle was the major contributing factor but
what is not mentioned, is that emergency vehicles have an equal
responsibility for safety also, if not more. Too often the fire
truck drivers get into an adrenaline mode when behind the wheel
of such powerful equipment. It seems that the training and State
Emergency driving course and former experience I had in the Air
Force as an ambulance EMT must have changed.
Then, it was
emphasized that the most important objective was to safely get
to the scene, pick up the patient and deliver him/her to the
emergency room. We were repeatedly told that emergency lights
and sirens does not give you the right to drive as on the
Indianapolis Speedway. That you are only legally
allowed/expected to go no more than ten miles over the speed
limit. This is definitely not the case I have observed.
Especially when flying through residential streets in St.
Charles.
Another issue
after all of that loss there was no mention of what happened to
the “child not breathing”. I hope it safely got to the emergency
room as needed. Also, it is my understanding that the fire (I
assume Crash) truck is primarily used for vehicle accidents. It
would be much cheaper to have a smaller vehicle, ambulance, for
the child. But my guess the reason given is that there where
none ready/in-service.
It was also
stated that it would take a week to determine who was at fault.
Why? It is a no brainer.
1.
Vehicle failed to yield to an
Emergency Vehicle.
2.
Crash/Truck: excessive speed,
attempting to pass in a no
Passing zone without
proper caution.
Just as responding
emergency vehicles are required (either legally or common sense)
to stop/proceed with caution entering an intersection with a
stop sign or traffic light, there should be no less driver
responsibility to drive with the safety of the patient, crew,
public and equipment in mind.
Since the names
of the emergency crew were published I wonder why such effort
was taken not to identify the driver of the other vehicle. Could
it be that it might have been a county official whose
identification is trying to be protected/concealed. As a matter
of fact, in my 36 years living in the county I don’t recall ever
reading of the results of a police officer, EMS, FS being
publicly found at fault when involved in an accident.
GERALD S. McSEE
Waldorf
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