QUESTION Re Emergency Response Sirens

[Mo779]

After having lived in The Villages for several years, and as I am a (retired) First Responder, I am wondering why it is necessary for First Responders(EMS, Fire & Police) to respond in emergency mode (lights & sirens) in the wee small hours of the morning? I understand the need for them to get through intersections when there is traffic - however, is it REALLY necessary to respond with lights & sirens when there is no traffic??

[pooh]

Well, fire trucks can proceed through controlled intersections, can even go against the flow of traffic, but must have sirens going and lights flashing when they do so. This could be why, even in the late evening and early morning hours, we see flashing lights and hear sirens. Also, there COULD be traffic....just because we are home sleeping, doesn't mean roads are traffic free.

[gerryann]

After having lived in The Villages for several years, and as I am a (retired) First Responder, I am wondering why it is necessary for First Responders(EMS, Fire & Police) to respond in emergency mode (lights & sirens) in the wee small hours of the morning? I understand the need for them to get through intersections when there is traffic - however, is it REALLY necessary to respond with lights & sirens when there is no traffic??

You are absolutely right. It's so ridiculous when there is no need for all the noise in the middle of the night. Even intersections.....if no traffic, then just go through and get where you're going.

[golf2140]

You must be new to The Villages. They have timers installed on all the sirens. They are checked after each shift. The unit that has the most time using their siren get a bonus. It's that simple :popcorn:

[Bogie Shooter]

After having lived in The Villages for several years, and as I am a (retired) First Responder, I am wondering why it is necessary for First Responders(EMS, Fire & Police) to respond in emergency mode (lights & sirens) in the wee small hours of the morning? I understand the need for them to get through intersections when there is traffic - however, is it REALLY necessary to respond with lights & sirens when there is no traffic??

Did you really think that you would get the factual answer to your question by posting on this board?
Here is the email for Mike Tucker, the Fire Chief.........he most likely can answer your question.
michael.tucker@districtgov.org
BTW here is the Departments web page;
VCDD Public Safety (http://www.districtgov.org/departments/Public-Safety/public-safety.aspx)

[Carl in Tampa]

After having lived in The Villages for several years, and as I am a (retired) First Responder, I am wondering why it is necessary for First Responders(EMS, Fire & Police) to respond in emergency mode (lights & sirens) in the wee small hours of the morning? I understand the need for them to get through intersections when there is traffic - however, is it REALLY necessary to respond with lights & sirens when there is no traffic??

In a word............liability.

When exceeding the speed limit; going against traffic signs or signals; stopping on the traveled portion of the roadway; or violating a multitude of other traffic control laws and regulations, the use of emergency lights and sirens is an affirmative defense in the event of an accident.

The apparent absence of traffic is irrelevant. Generally, traffic crashes involve the traffic that you didn't see.

My personal observation has been that emergency vehicles speeding through the area generally have their emergency lights on but only use the sirens when approaching traffic.

In my home county a deputy who exceeds the speed limit while responding to a call without emergency lights in operation is subject to discipline.

:police:

[renielarson]

Did you really think that you would get the factual answer to your question by posting on this board?
Here is the email for Mike Tucker, the Fire Chief.........he most likely can answer your question.
michael.tucker@districtgov.org
BTW here is the Departments web page;
VCDD Public Safety (http://www.districtgov.org/departments/Public-Safety/public-safety.aspx)

I don't think the OP was actually asking a question. I took it as a rhetorical question...nothing more.

[Matzy]

There is one point which Carl of Tampa mentioned: While responding to a call without lights in operation is subject to discipline, that counts for many states. Another point could be using sirens is that there could be traffic not just at intersections, early bicyclers, walkers on the road, etc.

[Pepperhead]

If they don't use the lights and sirens, they must observe speed limits and obey traffic devices. Is that what you would want them to do if it were you they were trying to help?

[CFrance]

I don't think the OP was actually asking a question. I took it as a rhetorical question...nothing more.

I took it as a rhetorical complaint.

[kittygilchrist]

I took it as a rhetorical complaint.

I took this literally, as the OP twice questions whether the sirens are necessary. Maybe differing interpretation depends on whether you take "necessary" at face value meaning essential, or as a figure of speech, as in "is that really necessary?"

I don't think an emergency vehicle driver called on to deliver a crew of responders as fast as possible and not following usual traffic rules can be too careful and that the siren is a tool to warn anyone in the way to get out of the way.

Should the midnight train shy from blasting the horn at crossings to keep from disturbing someone's sleep? I think not. I do sympathize if one lives close to the fire station.

[Barefoot]

If they don't use the lights and sirens, they must observe speed limits and obey traffic devices. Is that what you would want them to do if it were you they were trying to help?
If I've been desperate enough to call for help in the middle of the night, I want them to use lights and sirens and drive really, really fast! :duck:

[graciegirl]

I don't mind. I have my hearers out.

[skip0358]

I drove & rode for 42 years as a volunteer firemen and ambulance driver. If you responding to an EMERGENCY the lights and SIRENS were being used. Maybe not on the residential street but at ALL intersections and ALWAYS on the main drags. You as the driver and officer in the front seat are liable and I wasn't being sued or going to jail for fear of waking someone up. I think the responders in TV are very conservative with their sirens and I'm only 3 blocks from Station 51. JMO

[CFrance]

I heard a siren at 5:00 a.m. I don't mind. I just hope whoever they're responding to survives.

[skip0358]

I heard a siren at 5:00 a.m. I don't mind. I just hope whoever they're responding to survives.

AMEN on that !!

[kittygilchrist]

AMEN on that !!

You and CFrance can wake up and pray....:)

[Russ_Boston]

OP - Did you read about the police car that slammed into a family at 3AM (Ohio maybe?) and killed all 6 passengers (mom, dad, 4 daughters) about 2 weeks ago?

Turn those sirens up and slow down at intersections please. Needless waste of 6 lives responding to a convenience store hold up!

[spk7951]

The answer is simple as defined in Chapter 316-126 of the Florida Statutes;

"(3) Any authorized emergency vehicle, when en route to meet an existing emergency, shall warn all other vehicular traffic along the emergency route by an audible signal, siren, exhaust whistle, or other adequate device or by a visible signal by the use of displayed blue or red lights. While en route to such emergency, the emergency vehicle shall otherwise proceed in a manner consistent with the laws regulating vehicular traffic upon the highways of this state."

[NotGolfer]

IF these responders were coming to your home for you or a loved one...I'd expect you wouldn't care if their sirens were on or not. For me...hearing them would tell me they're coming and it would be "comforting" in the sense that they were close.

[dillywho]

IF these responders were coming to your home for you or a loved one...I'd expect you wouldn't care if their sirens were on or not. For me...hearing them would tell me they're coming and it would be "comforting" in the sense that they were close.

One night while riding up front while my husband was being transported to the hospital by ambulance, I asked the driver if they had problems with people not granting them the right of way. His response was, "Very often. You wouldn't believe what some do, either because they don't understand with the new divided roads these days or simply do not know or don't care." He also told me that they travel in the inside lane which leaves plenty of room for the traffic to pull to a stop on the side.

If you are on the other side of let's say Buena Vista with the emergency vehicle coming toward you, it is not a bad idea to pull over or at least slow down if you are approaching an intersection or turn around, just in case you need grant them the right of way. We all need to keep in mind, too, Florida's "Move Over Law" if you see police or emergency vehicles stopped on your side of travel.

[justjim]

The answer is simple as defined in Chapter 316-126 of the Florida Statutes;

"(3) Any authorized emergency vehicle, when en route to meet an existing emergency, shall warn all other vehicular traffic along the emergency route by an audible signal, siren, exhaust whistle, or other adequate device or by a visible signal by the use of displayed blue or red lights. While en route to such emergency, the emergency vehicle shall otherwise proceed in a manner consistent with the laws regulating vehicular traffic upon the highways of this state."

I think OP has a point---at 3 am the displayed blue/red lights are adequate and according to the statues. :shrug:

[Russ_Boston]

I think OP has a point---at 3 am the displayed blue/red lights are adequate and according to the statues. :shrug:

I guess you missed my post about the 6 people killed last week by a police car at exactly 3AM. I'm ok with no siren but please slow down when approaching lights or circles. It only takes a few more seconds.

6 killed, officer hurt in police car collision (http://www.wdtn.com/news/national/6-killed-officer-hurt-in-crash-near-ohio-capital_74954675)

[Dick and Lin]

If you're the party that called for help it is great to hear the siren getting louder. It is reassuring to know that help is on the way. A person will hold up jumping from a multiple story building if they know that rescue in just around the corner.

[Bogie Shooter]

I don't think the OP was actually asking a question. I took it as a rhetorical question...nothing more.

A sentence followed by a question mark, is not a rhetorical question.

[graciegirl]

A sentence followed by a question mark, is not a rhetorical question.


If we valued the person to whom the ambulance was rushing to see in full blare as much as we valued ourselves than it would not be an issue.

The Golden Rule.

[CFrance]

A sentence followed by a question mark, is not a rhetorical question.

That is not true. A rhetorical question certainly can end in a question mark. Grammar Girl : Do Rhetorical Questions Need a Question Mark? :: Quick and Dirty Tips (http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/do-rhetorical-questions-need-a-question-mark)

[CFrance]

If we valued the person to whom the ambulance was rushing to see in full blare as much as we valued ourselves than it would not be an issue.

The Golden Rule.

Touché

[Mo779]

Woken up twice last night from sirens blaring. Between 1am - 5am. Not much traffic, pedestrians, bikers or walkers on the road at that time!! Sorry, but I don't think that common sense is being used here - certainly use lights & sirens to go through intersections, but have the courtesy to shut them (sirens) down after doing so.

[Carl in Tampa]

Woken up twice last night from sirens blaring. Between 1am - 5am. Not much traffic, pedestrians, bikers or walkers on the road at that time!! Sorry, but I don't think that common sense is being used here - certainly use lights & sirens to go through intersections, but have the courtesy to shut them (sirens) down after doing so.

I suggest that if you were awakened then you were in no position to actually know the roadway conditions regarding traffic, pedestrians or bikers. (Walkers is redundant.)

The use of emergency lights and sirens is a very positive public safety device. Even then, there is no guarantee of safety for the vehicle operator and the public.

What could be more secure than a Presidential motorcade, with flashing lights on the motorcade vehicles, police officers controlling traffic at each intersection and motorcycles running escort alongside the motorcade? Yet, with all of this there have been multiple occasions where a driver on a cross street has pulled out and struck a car in the Presidential motorcade.

The prudent First Responder uses emergency lights, the siren and caution at all times.

-----------------------------

When driving on multiple lane highways, like the Interstates, I always use my turn signals when changing lanes, even when I don't see another vehicle anywhere near me, just in case there is a vehicle that I've failed to see.

Life experience has taught me great caution.

Besides which, the law requires a signal when changing lanes.

:read:

[CFrance]

I suggest that if you were awakened then you were in no position to actually know the roadway conditions regarding traffic, pedestrians or bikers. (Walkers is redundant.)

The use of emergency lights and sirens is a very positive public safety device. Even then, there is no guarantee of safety for the vehicle operator and the public.

What could be more secure than a Presidential motorcade, with flashing lights on the motorcade vehicles, police officers controlling traffic at each intersection and motorcycles running escort alongside the motorcade? Yet, with all of this there have been multiple occasions where a driver on a cross street has pulled out and struck a car in the Presidential motorcade.

The prudent First Responder uses emergency lights, the siren and caution at all times.

-----------------------------

When driving on multiple lane highways, like the Interstates, I always use my turn signals when changing lanes, even when I don't see another vehicle anywhere near me, just in case there is a vehicle that I've failed to see.

Life experience has taught me great caution.

Besides which, the law requires a signal when changing lanes.

:read:

:agree: And there's always ear plugs.

[graciegirl]

I suggest that if you were awakened then you were in no position to actually know the roadway conditions regarding traffic, pedestrians or bikers. (Walkers is redundant.)

The use of emergency lights and sirens is a very positive public safety device. Even then, there is no guarantee of safety for the vehicle operator and the public.

What could be more secure than a Presidential motorcade, with flashing lights on the motorcade vehicles, police officers controlling traffic at each intersection and motorcycles running escort alongside the motorcade? Yet, with all of this there have been multiple occasions where a driver on a cross street has pulled out and struck a car in the Presidential motorcade.

The prudent First Responder uses emergency lights, the siren and caution at all times.

-----------------------------

When driving on multiple lane highways, like the Interstates, I always use my turn signals when changing lanes, even when I don't see another vehicle anywhere near me, just in case there is a vehicle that I've failed to see.

Life experience has taught me great caution.

Besides which, the law requires a signal when changing lanes.


:read:



You are right as usual, Carl in Tampa. Please hurry home so you can change your name to Carl in The Villages.

We are an older population here and we need emergency help a little more frequently than the general population.

So the sirens blast. Keep them coming and Lord keep us safe.

[SALYBOW]

Early Monday morning I had to call 911 because I was in Atrial Fib and having shortness of breath. They responded with lights and sirens. They decided I should be seen at the hospital but they returned with no lights or sirens because the situation didn't warrant it.

I think both decisions were the correct way to go. Had I been having a heart attack the speed with which I was reached is a big issue. However, I would not want anyone else injured in their haste, hence the lights and sirens.
As another poster stated there were walkers, runners and golf carts on the road at that hour.

I have to give a shout out to both the EMTs and the ambulance people. Great service all around. I was also very pleased with my care at TVRH. We were in and out and back in bed in 4 hours.

Praise God, I am now fine. :pray:

[BobnBev]

Whether you are in a vehicle collision, medical distress, or a fire or other calamity, the sound of approaching sirens is very comforting.

[CFrance]

Scary. Glad you are okay, Salybow.

[Carl in Tampa]

Whether you are in a vehicle collision, medical distress, or a fire or other calamity, the sound of approaching sirens is very comforting.

This is slightly off topic but: When I was a young deputy sheriff I used to rush to calls reporting fights in bars.

I was soon counseled by more experienced deputies to take my time getting to bar fights, observing speed limits and traffic lights. This gave the combatants time to wear themselves out by the time you arrived, making them easier to subdue.

Also, about a block from the bar you would sound your siren so they would know you were coming and possibly break up the fight and flee.

:pepper2:

[Karron]

I heard a siren at 5:00 a.m. I don't mind. I just hope whoever they're responding to survives.

I just feel safe knowing we have emergcy responders so close......
If I called 911......
Well needless to say, I would want all the "bells & whistles"!
Karron:thumbup:

[SALYBOW]

Scary. Glad you are okay, Salybow.

TYVM So am I lol

[BobnBev]

This is slightly off topic but: When I was a young deputy sheriff I used to rush to calls reporting fights in bars.

I was soon counseled by more experienced deputies to take my time getting to bar fights, observing speed limits and traffic lights. This gave the combatants time to wear themselves out by the time you arrived, making them easier to subdue.

Also, about a block from the bar you would sound your siren so they would know you were coming and possibly break up the fight and flee.

:pepper2:

That's the way I learned, also.:clap2: