Bob

Good question.

1) Dump the 10 mph over rule as it’s generally unenforceable and adopt your state's legal standard for emergency response. For example in Washington State under RCW 46.61.035 related to emergency response, drivers may (c) Exceed the maximum speed limits so long as he does not endanger life or property. I am sure that there is similar legislation in most if not all States. The 10 mph over rule is trouble if you are involved in a traffic collision and plaintiff attorneys will have a field day with this outdated and unenforceable rule.

2) Have your crews respond a posted speed limit. We crash and kill or injure more firefighters and civilians every year and the increased response speed has not proven beneficial to outcomes.

3) Stop at every stop sign and stop light. Crashing through an intersection with a 60 thousand pound fire engine is not a best practice.

4) Freeway responses, turn off your lights, drive at the posted speed limits and when you get close to the incident, turn on your warning devices.

5) Volunteers responding from home in POV should ALWAYS drive the speed limit and wear seatblets.

Finally, wear your seatbelt. There is an initiative out there called the Seat Belt Pledge. I urge every fire department to get 100% signoff by their firefighters on this pledge. This is a tough change for the fire service. Look at Austin FD (Texas) for their policy. It seems like a safe practice that the Fire Service should adopt.

We help no one if we do not arrive.

-As Chief Halton has already explained, in the City of Albuquerque, the Fire Department policy for responding Code 3 limits the speed of apparatus to ten mph above the posted limit with road conditions permitting. If there are hazardous road conditions then the apparatus operator must exercise due regard and drive according to the hazard/conditions. Also, all apparatus are required to come to a full and complete stop at all intersections while responding Code 3 to insure the intersection is clear.
-What's more, fire apparatus are not allowed to buck/go against traffic unless the apparatus in question is within two blocks of the address they are responding to. Neither are Driver/operators are not allowed to "force" stopped vehicles through a traffic control device until the light changes in favor.
-On top of this, all major intersections in the city are equipped with an Opticom device that "see" emergency apparatus warning lights and changes the traffic control in favor of the responding apparatus.
-And as Chief Halton is aware, these initiatives have markedly reduced the amount of apparatus involved in accidents for the Fire Department; the cops are another issue.
-Not only is the department policy, it is state law which brings me to the next point. You may want to check what the state law is in your area. Many FD and POlice agencies think they know the law but not many of them really read it. Now the law and make your policy accordingly.
-In my area those responders that regularly violate this state law and city policy for responding Code 3 are those responsible for enforcing it... the city cops. Just goes to prove the point that most emergency responders do not actually familiarize themselves with the applicable laws in their jurisdiction. In fact, when asked, many cops are not even aware there is a law that governs Code 3 response.

i'm not so familiar with that way. but i know every department has their own way to operate in code 3. we can learn much from here. that's the advantages.