Emergency Vehicles continued:

If traffic is heavy, never block an intersection, as you may interfere with an emergency vehicle responding to an emergency.  Consider that there are lines connecting the four corners at an intersection, and that the lines create a box.  Do not stop inside the box! The same is true for a driveway, do not block them either.  You never know where someone has gotten themselves in the need for help. 

When you park your vehicle, never park close to a corner, as an emergency vehicle may not be able to make a turn.  This is especially true for fire trucks, as they have become much larger that they once were. 

Never park close to a fire hydrant, as that hydrant may be needed by the fire department if a fire were to occur nearby. 

Be sure that when you park across from another vehicle that there is enough space between the vehicles for a large fire truck to pass through. 

If while you are driving, and you come upon a vehicle accident or other type of emergency, and you see emergency crews present, be alert for actions by emergency responders (police, fire, medical), as vehicles and personnel need to move about to perform what is required.  Watch and listen for directions that may be given.  Immediately eliminate distractions such as cell phones, navigation systems, and loud radios.  Turn on your four way flashers (warning lights), and maintain full control of your vehicle.  Slow down significantly to a very low speed, and leave sufficient distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you, in case you need to stop quickly.  Move into the travel lane furthest from the incident scene.  Focus on your driving, not on the activities occurring at the incident scene. 

If an emergency worker is injured by a careless driver, not only is that individual now unable to assist in the emergency operations, but they now need resources to assist them. 

Any delay that an emergency vehicle encounters could be very costly.   Always be alert when driving.  It may be that some day that an emergency vehicle is responding to you or your loved ones.  We all know that you would want the help to arrive as quickly as they can.