Just saw today this story of a firefighter in California being arrested for rig positioning

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/firefighter-arrested-scene-highway-crash-article-1.1603205 

 

And unfortunately this isn't the first time this has happened 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LC6oqLhbr0

 

Just curious to hear some opinions on this problem, Do you think police should be better educated in how firefighter's control a scene? Should firefighter's be more flexible to the police requests? Should all emergency services nationwide be mandated to have knowledge on the other services protocols? 

 

Just some food for thought  

Yeah saw that, I normally respect cops but WTF, the firefighter only parked the rig to PROTECT his fellow firefighters

Absolutely unbelievable.  Officers like that are one of the main reasons a large part of the population have an extreme distrust towards law enforcement and their jobs as public servants.  I have to admit I am biased slightly in my opinion as I am personally pursuing a career in the fire service but I think most people would agree that the actions of the CHP officer are so far out of line that he should possibly face punishment.  When on scene of an accident, especially on a busy SoCal freeway, at least from my observations, first responders will use their vehicles as potential barriers against other traffic to protect those working to rescue the injured (as stated above).  As you can clearly see, the engine is positioned IN THE SAME AREA AS THE CHP CRUISER!  What an a$$hole to take a firefighter off scene over a dispute over something so small as where his rig was parked for the time being.  Not only that but from what I gathered in the report the firefighter was not even the Captain of the engine and said that he wanted to get approval  from his Captain before continuing with the CHP's request.  In my opinion that officer is on a severe power trip and instead of concentrating on the pressing issue of a roll over with multiple occupants he found the need to escalate an argument over a relatively unimportant detail and then make sure to assert his power by handcuffing a fellow first responder which not only was huge over reaction but also extremely humiliating in front of a news crew no less.  I hope he gets reprimanded, the only thing he accomplished was making himself look like a massive douche.

Here is the radio traffic from the incident:  

I find both of these situations BULL POOP(Trying to keep this kid friendly)! Instead of letting the firefighter or firefighters do there job he had to be more worried about traffic. I understand that yes he's a CHP officer but honest to god let the firefighters do there job! Would a firefighter/paramedic ever go up a cop and say STOP TASING THAT GUY I NEED TO WORK ON HIM? I don't see why he couldn't just let it go..its not like he's gonna get  any kind of trouble. Even in a situation where a driver has a risk of hitting the fire truck I think the extreme amount of lights on the scene should be somewhat of a warning. I find it stupid when LEO's have to step on firefighters toes. Well, this is my opinion and you can agree/disagree on it.

Leave it to California

This is outrageous. The firefighter was trying to protect people. Not that this would happen but I hope a state troops arrests the cop for blocking off a road for a crime scene.

This is outrageous. The firefighter was trying to protect people. Not that this would happen but I hope a state troops arrests the cop for blocking off a road for a crime scene.

The cop, um, was a highway patrolman. Ultimately, traffic control on the highway is his responsibility, not that of a fire crew.

 

The cop, um, was a highway patrolman. Ultimately, traffic control on the highway is his responsibility, not that of a fire crew.

Be that as it may, I'll tell you from past experiences of being a FF on a highway..... It doesn't matter how many flashy lights, or reflective stripes on your vehicles/self, other drivers do NOT slow down, I rather have a big engine blocking traffic than a wimpy police cruiser.

 

 

 

The cop, um, was a highway patrolman. Ultimately, traffic control on the highway is his responsibility, not that of a fire crew.

Whoops. Lol. Just skimmed it.

For us, when ever the EMS goes out onto the highway, we send an engine out to block. I see the logic behind it but you're still risking members and an expensive piece of equipment.

All California PD agencies aren't like this - I promise. The CHP like to think they are the best, and will do anything over the top to make them look like a classic cop. This is why I ruled out CHP for one of my future agencies, and it's probably the IPD now.