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Mock Wreck Turns Dynamic

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Safe-Driving Display Gains Unwanted Realism

YOU HAVE ALL PARTICIPATED in one of those mock car accidents designed to teach teenagers about the dangers of careless or drunk driving.  That is what was going on in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, Friday morning when the town's fire department and police department were staging a crash with injuries along with the safety lectures, plus the extrication and first aid demonstration by the firefighters, for the Detroit Lakes High School students.

WDAY-TV

With the entire student body of 400 gathered on portable bleachers, the demonstration began with a police officer giving the lecture and a few students and community volunteers acting as trapped, injured victims.  Without warning, the unmanned fire engine started rolling and it was aimed right for the "crash" scene.  It struck the two wrecked cars at a low speed (less than 5 mph) causing some minor injuries to the police officer, an EMT and two of the student actors.

The demo became real as the FD had to perform genuine extrications and ambulances were called for real-blood injuries.  Six people were transported, but all were treated and released for minor cuts and bruises.  It hasn't been determined yet for sure why the pumper started rolling.  At the time it was believed that the parking brake had been applied, but that has to be determined yet.

WDAY-TV has the story and more photos HERE.

Firegeezer notes:  This is why all departments must have a firm policy of always using a wheel chock whenever the operator is out of the cab, whether the motor is running or not (outside of the equipment bays, of course).

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Posted by on May 5, 2012 • Filed under: EMS Topics, Fire Rescue Topics, Training, training-fire-rescue-topics, Vehicle Operations & Apparatus
  • Dalmatian90

    Actually, is it a bad thing to use wheel chocks in the bays?  I know our floors slope slightly to the front to facility draining water.  All our vehicles have some sort of low-chock they back over then roll forward against (some commercial, some basically a mud-flap with a steel bar bolted to them, some just a 2×4) — keeps them from starting to roll, and perhaps most importantly lets you know you’ve backed up far enough…something nice when alone so you have no spotter as you back into a dark bay from bright sunlight.

    The most conscientious driver I knew made it a habit to start the truck, then get out and do a walk around checking that the doors, etc. were secured.  
    Now he normally was one of the first firefighters to arrive to the station, and it gave a moment for the other quick arrivals (often me) to get into our gear.  By the time we were dressed he had finished the truck check and was getting back in the driver’s seat.  
    The low chocks are probably adequate for the station; but if you have drivers on the ball even using real chocks probably wouldn’t delay response.