Report Number: 05-0000156
Report Date: 05/27/2005
Event Description
Ladder company was operating at the scene of a personal injury vehicle accident on a divided interstate highway. The incident was at the point of being cleared. The ladder truck was blocking the two left lanes of a three lane highway. The truck was parked on a 45% angle with the front facing the median strip. Several road flares (appx 5) were placed behind the truck for a distance of appx. 150 feet. An occupied state police vehicle was located between the ladder truck and the road flares. All four members of the Ladder crew were in the vehicle preparing to leave the scene. The EMS vehicle had already left the scene.
At this point a tractor trailer driver lost control of the vehicle that he was driving (a double trailered semi). The vehicle came to a stop between the ladder lruck and the guardrail narrowly missing both the state police vehicle and the ladder Truck. All FD personnel were wearing high visibility safety vests during the entire incident.
Lesson Learned
1. ALWAYS BE ALERT!
2. Make absolutely sure you or part of your response can be seen from as far away as possilbe.
3. Quicker response of state roads safety vehicle.
4. Disassemble the scene from the down traffic side of incident first.
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