Spotsylvania Volunteer Rescue Squad Assistant Chief Tom Vickers was headed to a scene on Route 1 in Massaponax, Virginia, on July 17, when the emergency vehicle he was driving collided with another vehicle.
Fredericksburg.com reports there were no injuries, but Vickers was charged with reckless driving for running a red light, and his driving privileges were suspended by the squad.
For Fredericksburg.com, Amy Flowers Umble writes:
…the accident does bring to light an issue with Virginia law. When it comes to red lights, emergency responders are expected to show "due regard" for the safety of other drivers.
The problem is that due regard is a pretty subjective criterion, said Monty Willaford, deputy chief of Spotsylvania's Fire, Rescue and Emergency Management Department.
"I might think that slowing down 10 miles per hour is due regard, but you might think slowing down 20 miles per hour is," Willaford said.
So Spotsylvania County has long had a policy that anyone driving an emergency vehicle must stop at red lights, said Chris Eudailey, chief of fire and rescue.
Umble's full story on Fredericksburg.com is here.
What is your state's law? Does that differ from your department's policy?
Isn't this the same department that was goving high fives for a dwelling fire in which a viable victim on the phone with 911 died because they couldn't find her? If so, then this department has much larger problems then running a red light. If so, this department had better find "True North" in their leadership and get its act together. If not, well I apoligize in advance.
The fire service has the long standing beliefe of "200 yrs of tradition, unimpeeded by progress" That may fit this story. How many times hav eyou heard "STOP" at the red lights and look? yet we still do stupid $hi@ and blow through them anyway.