NY FFs Say No Access to Interstate Delayed Response to Deadly Bus Crash
For the past 20 years, Slate Hill Fire District fire officials have asked for direct access to the interstate.
For years, they've explained how every second counts in an emergency.
When crews received the call about a bus rollover crash last Thursday, they took their usual route to get to the interstate -- four miles away.
Then, they double back to reach the scene, according to CBS News.
"We would have gotten there sooner. I would say anywhere between 5 to 10 minutes sooner. How that would have changed the outcome, I don't know," Slate Hill Fire District Chief Mike Dally said. "But I think it would have been good for us to obviously be there as soon as possible even just to start assessing the scene and see what resources we need."
The faces of volunteer firefighters who responded were stoic as the interview was being conducted. The incident commander said seeing so many scared and injured kids made a bad situation worse.
Assistant Chief Shaun Graham said: "You just let them know help is on the way, there's more manpower coming to be able to assist them. But you have to revert to your training and really focus on that,"
Two adults -- the band leader and a chaperone -- were killed and dozens of students injured when the bus veered off the road and careened down an embankment.
State and federal funds will be needed for the project.
"In instances like the one that we saw last week, every minute, every second matters and counts," said State Sen. James Skoufis (D).