Rescue Squad Question

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There's one thing I never understood. In the city why do they leave the back door on the rescue's walk-in body open while responding? It seems like someone could fall out.

[Eng34FF]

Not sure which city you are talking about. They may leave it open to get air, or to see something outside to get a better idea where they are. They should be seated away from the door and seat-belted in so that they don't fall out.

[...]

I'm just talking about "in the city" in general. I've seen it in NY, DC to name a few. The crew also stands up to put on their gear while responding, so their not using seat belts.

[pasobuff]

Technically they are not supposed to be standing while the vehicle is in motion - that comes down to an enforcement issue within the conpany/department. The open door may be an 'old school tradition'.......not to say tht it is a good idea - any door that is there should be closed while in motion....it is there for a reason!

[ChiefKN]

Why do you think they do it?

[pasobuff]

Why do you think they do it?

Well...having been in a department that had a rescue like that.....on hot days, make it cooler inside (until the AC kicks in at least).....better view out the back by the occupants.....

As for standing - we actually had grap straps if I remember correctly.......stand up and you can see better.......get your gear on etc.....

How much time do you think is saved by gearing up in the back of the rig while it is moving vs. being geared up before you get on? ....or finishing when the rig arrives at the scene?.......

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Here is a perfect example...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vc3JP...eature=related

[IronsMan53]

Some of the older rigs don't have A/C in the rear body (ours doesn't... actually there isn't any in the cab either). The open doors at least keep things bearable. The doors actually stay open in the winter too. When the side windows are closed none of the air rushes in from the back so the heat pretty much stays in. Anybody with a pickup or a Bronco with an opening rear window knows what I'm taking about.

[LeatherHed4Life]

i think its because they are grown men and know how not to fall out of a small opening in a large truck.

[ravage17]

i think its because they are grown men and know how not to fall out of a small opening in a large truck.

hahahahahahahaha!!!!!

[len1582]

i think its because they are grown men and know how not to fall out of a small opening in a large truck.

Thank goodness..a sensible answer. Also trying to get some air in there. In the summer it's like being in the hot box in "Bridge on the river Kwai"

[hwoods]

Our Squad has a "Safety Chain" that hooks across the opening. Ventilation is one big reason for the doors being open, "Situational Awareness" is another. Last, it just plain looks Cool........

[nmfire]

The door being open is ventilation. Standing up, gearing up, walking around, etc is stupid.

[LeatherHed4Life]

The door being open is ventilation. Standing up, gearing up, walking around, etc is stupid.

so what about in the back of an ambulance?

[nmfire]

so what about in the back of an ambulance?

Until someone invents a restraint system that allows reach of everything, that will be a quandry. I've been in the back of an ambulance three times (well, once was as a trauma patient so that doesn't count I guess). Both times there was no way to do what we were dong with seatbelts on. If we crashed, we were gonna get hurt.

[DualReverse]

i think its because they are grown men and know how not to fall out of a small opening in a large truck.

ROFL.

Hopefully the gang in Boston don't have this feature on their rescues, or else that doink reporter might conduct another 'investigate report' .

[LaFireEducator]

Why don't the members here simply condemn what is an obviously very unsafe set of practices?

It's really tough to keep members alive when some seem to view an open door and members gearing up as the vehicle is responding as practices that are ok.

I would suspect the reason is tradition, which is not a valid reason at all, in this case.

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Go to this link and select video #5 "Rescue Squad 3: Extricated" on the right and watch the first two minutes and see what I'm talking about!

http://thebattalion.tv/webisodes/dcfd

[LaFireEducator]

Until someone invents a restraint system that allows reach of everything, that will be a quandry. I've been in the back of an ambulance three times (well, once was as a trauma patient so that doesn't count I guess). Both times there was no way to do what we were dong with seatbelts on. If we crashed, we were gonna get hurt.

Many states have an exemption on the seat belt law for the rear of an ambulance.

The exemption often reads to the effect "personnel that must move about the vehicle to perform task are exempted".

There really isn't that need in the back of a rescue truck responding to a fire. Gear can be put on in quarters and SCBA can be donned while seated and belted. Tools can be grabbed once on scene and on the way out of the apparatus.

[backsteprescue123]

Last, it just plain looks Cool........

Took the words right out of my mouth Chief!