Be aware of emergency vehicles
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Here in the Mission Valley during the months of April through September, we experience a large population increase. This time of year, response time is very critical to all volunteers in the fire service. Recently, we have gone on calls and have had a very hard time just getting through the traffic. In the fire service, time does matter to us. We have experienced things from people not pulling over to the right and stopping to young members of the community taking their time walking across the street, not yielding to emergency vehicles and not paying any attention to the lights and sirens. If you are the person that has made the call for help, you are hoping that responders will get to your location as quickly as possible and help you with your emergency.
Montana code 61-8-346, on the operation of vehicles on approach of authorized emergency vehicles or police vehicles, approaching stationary emergency vehicles or police vehicles, states, “Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle making use of audible and visual signals meeting the requirements of 61-9-402 or of a police vehicle properly and lawfully making use of an audible signal only, the operator of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle or police vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer or highway patrol officer.”
I have responded many times and had to take other action because the other driver was not paying attention to what was coming toward him. This is not just a problem for the fire service in this area; it is a problem for all emergency responders. I understand that in today’s vehicles, a driver may not hear the siren as quickly as before, but the driver should still be checking the mirrors on a regular basis.
I am requesting that when you see lights and/or hear sirens that you pull over and stop. In this area, on a high percentage of calls, there is more than one emergency agency responding, and there could be several vehicles en route to the call.
We currently are at high fire danger in this area due to how dry things are. With the way fire grows in these conditions, it is important for emergency responders to get to the scene as safely and quickly as possible in hopes of bringing the fire under control as soon as possible. So please pay attention to the mirrors and be listening for the sirens when you are driving.
I want to thank all the emergency personnel this county has for the job they do, professionals and especially the volunteers. In part, it is the dedication you have to your community that makes this a great place to live. It is my hope that each person reading this article will do the same.
