Question: Why do firetrucks always respond with sirens? Police cars zoom up Wilhelmina Rise without sirens, and they go much faster than firetrucks. I don’t believe a firetruck can exceed 25 mph going up the hill. Who determines the response criterion? Can it be changed so fire teams can use their judgment on using sirens, especially at no-traffic hours like 2 a.m.? I suspect tradition is part of siren use as police and many times ambulances do not use sirens.
Question: What is the official Honolulu Fire Department policy on late-night sirens? Why are firetrucks blasting their sirens late at night when there are obviously no cars on the road? I observe this almost every night at Kapiolani and University avenues from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. As a former emergency medical technician on the mainland, I can understand the importance of firefighter safety in traffic, particularly through busy intersections. But where there is no traffic at all, HFD needs to show a little more professionalism and courtesy to the community it’s bravely defending.
Answer: Unlike the city Emergency Medical Services policy allowing discretionary use of sirens on ambulances (see Friday’s “Kokua Line”), the Honolulu Fire Department stands by its policy of responding to all emergencies with lights and sirens.
No matter the time of day or night, “fires, mountain and ocean rescues, hazardous materials releases and medical emergencies are events that require true emergency assistance and therefore emergency response,” said HFD spokesman Capt. Terry Seelig.
He said state and county traffic codes afford certain privileges to emergency vehicles, as well as responsibilities.
These include going through a red light or stop sign, slowing down as necessary for safety; exceeding the maximum speed limit, as long as the driver does not endanger life or property; and disregarding regulations governing the direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
“These privileges permit an authorized emergency vehicle to respond swiftly but require the use of all warning devices,” he said.
Regarding times when there may be no other cars on the road:
“While it may appear that there is no traffic, the use of lights and sirens warn other drivers and pedestrians, seen and unseen, that an emergency vehicle is approaching and right-of-way should be yielded,” Seelig said. “The use of lights and sirens allows the HFD to respond safely, efficiently and legally.”
He also said the HFD’s policy recognizes several priorities in an emergency response: responders arriving safely, delivering aid efficiently, observing traffic laws and minimizing inconvenience to the public.
“People who call for help expect a quick, professional and effective response,” Seelig said. “Those not involved in the emergency might understandably be surprised, annoyed and perhaps even angry at the sound of the sirens.”
He said the HFD takes both perspectives into consideration, recognizing that the most important expectation is that it responds as safely and expeditiously as possible.
“The HFD continuously evaluates its policies to determine whether or not they meet public and department expectations,” he said.
But for now it’s not changing its policy.
Mahalo
To the Refuse Division guys who pick up our blue/green/gray bins. In the Nov. 5 “Kokua Line,” someone complained about the bins falling over. But sometimes it’s the people’s fault — where they put their bins out, where they park their cars, how they stuff the bins, etc. But those guys are amazing and I applaud them. Yes, sometimes they’re late or they come the next day. So what! The point is they do their jobs as best they can. — Hawaii Kai resident
———
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
