A search of www.firefighternearmiss.com in the Vehicle Events category, Rural Service Area subset, reveals data that human actions were responsible for four out of five reported accidents involving rural fire apparatus and firefighters in their personal vehicles. The fifth category is equipment.

For example, one report stated “I responded priority three, code three, in my personal vehicle. I drove too fast to the scene and at a dangerous left turn I slid a little bit and entered the opposite lane of traffic where a lost member of my same department was in, less than twenty five yards away.…” (Report #05-646)

Human error in the form of lost situational awareness and poor decision-making were significant contributing factors in the sample events — and in the majority of the events submitted to date. The equipment factors usually were the result of a lack of maintenance.

“The driver of the water tanker failed to look at the flashing warning lights.… The driver of the water tanker didn't see the train approaching until it was too late and collided with the first locomotive just behind the front axles, and wheels on the locomotive.… Two 600 gallon water tanks … unbolted from the frame of the apparatus and pressed the cab of the apparatus against the train, partially ejecting the driver out the driver side window, pinning him from the thigh area down.…” (Report #06-039)

The conclusions drawn from these and other reports include:

• Slow down.
• Wear a seatbelt.
• Maintain a good sense of reality.
• Submit near-miss reports and read others' reports.
• Demand safe practices by all. Recognize safe drivers; correct unsafe practices immediately and firmly. Remove driving privileges if necessary.
• Keep apparatus and personal vehicles in good condition.

Driver training, with both initial certification and continuing education components, is essential for all fire department members. The training should involve a section on driving behaviors, situational awareness and decision-making. These sections can be enhanced with case studies from the department's experience and from resources such as www.firefighter nearmiss.com, www.firefighterclosecalls.com, www.vfis.com and www.respondersafety.com.