Beyond the Flames

A traffic accident on Interstate 805 in Chula Vista, Ca. made headlines this week not because of the crash, but after a Chula Vista firefighter was handcuffed by a California Highway Patrol officer for refusing to move a fire engine at the scene.
As of publication time for this column, the complete details of the incident had still not been released, but what is known is that a Ford Mustang struck a concrete divider near a highway construction site and overturned, injuring the driver and a passenger.
Firefighters from Chula Vista Fire Department responded to the scene to provide rescue and patient care, and during the performance of these tasks, the driver of one of the fire engines parked on scene was instructed to move the truck by a CHP officer.
The firefighter refused to do so, and was subsequently handcuffed and detained for 30 minutes before being released. The incident was captured on camera by a film crew from KFMB-TV News in San Diego, and has since made the rounds online.
While the exact motive of the firefighter and police officer are still unknown, the story is reminiscent of a November 2006 incident on Interstate 80 involving a Rockaway Township, N.J. Deputy fire chief and a N.J. State Trooper which resulted in the arrest of the deputy after refusing to move a fire engine he felt was protecting his crew.
The act of using fire apparatus as a barrier to protect emergency personnel on scene is a commonly used practice around the country, and is often deemed as essential by incident commanders when operating on the scene of a traffic accident.
Many police departments and fire departments have differing opinions regarding closure of a lane or entire roadway at a traffic incident, but both sides need to take into account that they are operating with the same goal in hand—safety of the emergency personnel on scene and the care and transport of injured patients.
Each state differs with their laws regarding which agency is ultimately in control at an incident, and the best way to deal with situations like these is to be well versed with your areas regulations.
The incident in California likely could have been handled differently, but both sides of the incident need to evaluate their procedures and use the incident as a learning experience. The best way to understand the reasoning behind a cooperating agency is to work together with them.
If you aren’t working with your local police department when developing your incident procedures and training, you’re doing yourself and your community a disservice.
Cross-training is one of the most valuable and underutilized options for bettering our service to the community. Get in contact with local law enforcement and start training today. Stay safe.
Knoll, 21, of Eldora, can be contacted by email at beyondtheflamescmc@gmail.com. He is a student at Rowan University.