BONNYVILLE – The safety of first responders dealing with incidents along area highways was top of mind for both MD and Town of Bonnyville councillors who attended a Bonnyville Regional Fire Authority (BRFA) Chief Officers Meeting on Oct. 24.
The meeting involved conversations between BRFA chiefs, deputy chiefs, captains and stakeholders.
Council members who attended the Chief Officers Meeting took a moment during their council reports to highlight some concerning stories experienced by local firefighters.
Town of Bonnyville Coun. Phil Kushnir recounted information presented by a member of Station 7 Fort Kent, stating drivers in the community are not always slowing down and pulling over for emergency vehicles to pass.
“People are not pulling over, not even stopping. In one instance there was a guy pulling a trailer and he wouldn't even let [emergency vehicles] pass,” said Kushnir, during his council report on Oct. 25.
“We have 160 volunteer firefighters out there and EMS operators that are out there all the time as well. They respond selflessly all the time – day and night. These volunteers and EMS as well, they deserve to be protected out there.”
While Fort Kent firefighters were recently attending a roadside call, there were four close call incidents that were related to passing vehicles not slowing down or moving over, according to Kushnir.
“It's getting very, very dangerous out there for the firefighters... I implore everyone to please look out for our first responders that are out there.”
Firefighters are not the only first responders who are facing serious safety concerns while attending calls on the side of the highway.
Tow truck drivers, police, ambulance staff and road crew workers are all at risk when members of the public don’t follow the Alberta Traffic Safety Act.
Slow down for flashing lights
When travelling, drivers should always be alert to flashing lights. Flashing lights on vehicles may mean a traffic collision, disabled vehicle, spilled cargo, or highway maintenance may be taking place up ahead.
All drivers must reduce their speed, and carefully change lanes if necessary or when it is possible. Drivers should be prepared to stop.
“One of the most serious problems associated with these types of incidents is the risk of response personnel or equipment being struck by passing vehicles,” according to the Government of Alberta.
In Alberta, motorists must reduce their speed to 60 km/h or the posted speed, whichever is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks that are stopped with their lights flashing. This law applies to the lanes immediately next to the stopped vehicles.
Town Coun. Brian McEvoy echoed Kushiner’s sentiments.
“People need to slow down when they're passing tow trucks, when they're passing emergency vehicles on the highway and the rest of it,” said McEvoy. “The most dangerous place a firefighter can work is on the highway.”
McEvoy added that he would like to discuss the possibility of the Town running a public education campaign and sharing information on the Town’s website.
MD of Bonnyville Reeve Barry Kalinski also referred to BRFA members’ concerns during his council report on Oct. 26.
“The men and women that travel in the ambulances and fire trucks, even our RCMP and our constables, when these guys have their flashing lights on, they don't have them on for just for the fun of it,” emphasized Kalinski.
“If you see some lights, you should be pulling over and letting these people go by. A lot of times it's a matter of life and death.”
Kalinski added that seasoned drivers should be checking in with younger motorists to make sure they know the laws of the road, the importance of slowing down when flashing lights are ahead, and leaving space for frontline responders on the highway.
