Nigel wrote:Rick wrote:7db wrote:Standard Dave wrote:Firefighters have powers to stop and direct traffic in some circumstances but I don't know if this includes directing vehicles through traffic signals.
I don't know about anyone else, but if I saw a fireman waving at me, I'd do what he said and look for the falling building later...
People have always tended to do as we ask in traffic situations, even though we had no legal powers until the 2004 Fire services act. It doesn't specifically mention waving through red lights though!
Thats because your seen as "friend" in all circumstances, and don't have to suffer the "foe" position attributed to police officers....but I guess you knew that anyway.
As for red lights, I can only suggest doing what your gut instinct says, being very careful, and being prepared to defend your actions in court if required to do so, I think it was Von that said you will only ever have mitigation.
First post here goes, the "new Fire services act" expanded the Fire & Rescue Services beyond our previous one of primacy at Fire incidents, we never used to have any legal need to attend RTC's, nor were we funded for them either, I digress
If I attend an incident that requires the closure or management of traffic on a road I will request the presence of The Police specifically for "Traffic Control Purposes", I would only use my crew/s for that purpose in an emergency, ie if it had to be done ther and then, the question of "managing" a situation at traffic lights, if it was detrimental to the H&S of the crews attending I would have no hesitation in closing the junction completely.
I attended a Car fire on a Motorway one night and sods law dictated that it happened in a contraflow section, a Traffic Car whose crew were let us say not battle hardened veterans, attended and initially refused to close the motor way to allow us to work safely, until I informed him that I wasn't tackling the fire and allowing it to burn out due to being unable to set up a safe system of work, the Motorway was closed............