Code-3 driving tips

[RandyRhoads]

Perhaps because when most people see a 24' long and 35,000 ton plus fire truck rolling Code 3, they stop or get out of the way. I joke, but I frequently, to this day, see a fire rig go thru intersections Code 3 at speed. A little scary to think of how much damage they can cause if they hit any vehicle (s).


Be safe.

Must be a joke because a giant fire truck doesn't change the fact most people freeze and panic.

Think of the damage? Scroll up. I posted pictures of what a water tender will do to an SUV. Wasn't going fast, imagine if it wasn't in a residential area.

[John1960]

A code 3 authorization doesn't require you to drive faster, but it does allow you to roll a few stops. I limit my full-throttle response to only two things, partner in a fight and baby not breathing. Everything else can wait.

[ls2monaro]

^ I'll add a code brown is also good cause for a full throttle response.

[epilepticninja]

1. Code 3 means getting there alive. I saw a lot of stupid Code 3 driving back in the day. Still see it to some extent today.

2. Turn off lights and siren when crossing single lane bridges, no place for the traffic to go.

[RandyRhoads]

^ I'll add a code brown is also good cause for a full throttle response.

Bahaha. Nothing like rolling in between code brown and code 4 until you can find the time and spot to take care of business. Add coffee. Game over.

[bargasm]

Slow way down anytime you have go opposing, accident investigations are no fun... Ask me how I know

[oneill45]

+3 drive slower.

Just remember, all your lights and sirens are doing is asking the publics permission to break the law and have the right away. If there is an accident there is a good chance you will be at fault. Especially if you are new and on probation. A new EMT just found out while on probation, even if you are parked and someone HITS YOU, they have grounds for firing you.

Also, it's either lights and sirens, or you aren't code 3. Not one or the other. Engineer at my last FD found that out when she went through and intersection with only her lights on and no siren, hit an SUV and flipped it.

In reality, how many calls that you respond code 3 to end up having needed a code 3 response. Take your time. Slow is smooth smooth is fast.


Don't risk your career.

"slow is smooth and smooth is fast"

Retired SGT II Sommers from LAPD used to drill that in my head for everything:
vehicle searches, firing range, driving... slow is smooth, smooth is fast. to this day its always going through my head when SHTF and i feel that adrenaline rush, i hear him yelling "slow is smooth, smooth is fast"

[kermit315]

Perhaps because when most people see a 24' long and 35,000 ton plus fire truck rolling Code 3, they stop or get out of the way. I joke, but I frequently, to this day, see a fire rig go thru intersections Code 3 at speed. A little scary to think of how much damage they can cause if they hit any vehicle (s).

I believe the statement made by more than a few here that you cannot be of help unless you actually make it to the scene should prevail and be at the forefront of everyone's mind. This applies to anyone running Code 3.

Be safe.

[ChamberCheck]

Just remember, driving excessively fast doesn't really make up that much time and only exposes/increases your risk of getting into a traffic accident...but, that's already been mentioned a multitude of times.

Want to make up time on your responses? Get out of the barn as fast as you can. Run to the rig; don't take those last few bites; don't stop to use the head, etc. It's easier to knock time off the front end of the response instead of while you're driving - and, it's alot safer.

Dave

[SloChicken]

Just remember, driving excessively fast doesn't really make up that much time and only exposes/increases your risk of getting into a traffic accident...but, that's already been mentioned a multitude of times.

Want to make up time on your responses? Get out of the barn as fast as you can. Run to the rig; don't take those last few bites; don't stop to use the head, etc. It's easier to knock time off the front end of the response instead of while you're driving - and, it's alot safer.

Dave

I often run code 3 (EMS) per my pt's indicated status. If they are declining or are in a time sensitive situation (Stroke Code, Active chest pain, Brain bleed, etc.) then I run code to get them there a little quicker. Will it make a lot of difference? Who can say on the front end?

I do know this, if I am in court and they are asking. I don't want to answer why I was sitting at red lights knowing my pt's condition.

I usually tell my crew whether it is a haul ***, or just make the lights kind of code 3. There is a difference - at least in my opinion.

[ChamberCheck]

I often run code 3 (EMS) per my pt's indicated status. If they are declining or are in a time sensitive situation (Stroke Code, Active chest pain, Brain bleed, etc.) then I run code to get them there a little quicker. Will it make a lot of difference? Who can say on the front end?

I do know this, if I am in court and they are asking. I don't want to answer why I was sitting at red lights knowing my pt's condition.

I usually tell my crew whether it is a haul ***, or just make the lights kind of code 3. There is a difference - at least in my opinion.

OP related what appeared to be his experience with responding TO an incident since he was seated in the passenger seat...hence, my answer relating to shaving time from the "front end" of a call. Obviously, patient status will dictate how you end up driving to the hospital.

Dave

[CSDGuy]

I often run code 3 (EMS) per my pt's indicated status. If they are declining or are in a time sensitive situation (Stroke Code, Active chest pain, Brain bleed, etc.) then I run code to get them there a little quicker. Will it make a lot of difference? Who can say on the front end?

I do know this, if I am in court and they are asking. I don't want to answer why I was sitting at red lights knowing my pt's condition.

I usually tell my crew whether it is a haul ***, or just make the lights kind of code 3. There is a difference - at least in my opinion.

Nothing, not even a patient's life, is worth getting into a wreck because you drove stupid fast while Code 3. Sit at a stoplight? Yes, if there's no place for people to go and you can't get around them safely, then you absolutely shutdown Code 3 and wait. Think of that situation like being delayed by a train.

There have been times when I've had to drive so fast that the ambulance simply will not go any faster. I can count the number of times I've ever had to do that on ONE hand, out of the hundreds of times I've done Code 3 travel.

[TrailerparkTrash]

Tip #1....

NEVER beat fire/paramedics to the scene of a medical call.

[twinfin]

There are some great bits of wisdom here. I'll add a few more to what's already been said:

When entering the freeway where cars are moving freely at freeway speed, shut off your lights and siren so you can stealthily move from the on ramp, get up to freeway speed and safely move to the left lane. Only then, do you turn back on the lights/siren and resume your code 3 driving. Try this and you'll see how much faster you get into the left lane vs. the panic and confusion (and delay) you cause by trying to enter the freeway with your lights and siren on. Of course, if traffic is backed up and moving very slowly, this does not apply. It also works to shut down the lights and siren to exit the freeway, merging safely and with the flow of traffic, then resume code three once you exit the freeway.

If you get to a red light and you can't get around the traffic, just shut it all down and wait. Don't try to "push" motorists into the intersection against a red light unless you want to see a bunch of people die in front of you. This has been mentioned already but it's worth repeating.

You city folks may not know this but if you ever come up on equestrians, shut down the lights and siren or you'll likely spook the horses and hurt their riders when the horses bolt. Believe me, you'll see some happy faces and grateful waves from the riders as you pass by code 2 before you light it back up after safely passing by the horseback riders.

If you are transporting the severely sick and injured, your code three driving style should be much smoother than when running to the scene by starting to slow down much sooner and smoothly, speeding up more slowly and cornering at slower speeds.

If you are ever in your private vehicle and notice a code three vehicle coming up behind you, take this opportunity to note how close the code 3 vehicle gets to you before you hear the siren. Remember this when your the one driving code three! At freeway speeds, the siren is almost impossible to hear until the emergency vehicle is "danger close."

Lastly as others have said, keep the speed down, drive with due regard for others; be professional. Remember that you don't have the right of way until it has been yielded to you!

(From an accident free 32 year fire/EMS career with lots of time driving behind the siren)

Side note: I don't know if anyone else noticed, but in the days immediately after 9-11, people amazingly pulled to the right like the parting of the Red Sea for our fire engine when driving code 3. I think it was just that folks were unsettled and hyper aware for a few days afterwards before becoming complacent zombies again. Any one else notice that?

[SMarquez]

Tip #1....

NEVER beat fire/paramedics to the scene of a medical call.

#2 Always park 2 houses away and across the street from the hydrant.