For Immediate Release:

May 22, 2020

Contact:

Julie Happy

Community Affairs Manager

Spokane Valley Fire

509.892.4155

SPOKANE VALLEY FIRE DEPARTMENT FIRE CHIEF, BRYAN COLLINS, ASKS DRIVERS TO PAY ATTENTION AND PULL RIGHT FOR FIRST RESPONDERS

Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) Chief Bryan Collins has released this PSA message and video in hopes drivers will focus on driving and keep First Responders safe and able to respond in emergency situations without fear of being hit by a vehicle.

Chief Collins is concerned for the safety of his First Responder staff as more cars return to the road with Governor Inslee moving businesses into Phase 2 operations.  More cars back on the road, means more Firefighters will be put at risk with the increase of drivers being distracted.

“We are happy to see businesses able to open and the community being viable once again.  My concerns are the same as they always are when my First Responders are out on a call, drivers are distracted,” said SVFD Chief Bryan Collins. “With more cars returning to the road, speeds increase, texting or talking on the phone while driving increases, more opportunity for drinking and driving occurs, and road rage opportunities increase.  Any one of those creates a prime situation or condition where driver distraction puts a First Responder in a state of vulnerability at an emergency scene.”

A few weeks ago SVFD had one of their own First Responders hit while volunteering at the District 11 Fire Department.  A distracted driver hit a truck head on which then struck the Firefighter on the side of the road while on call at a brush fire, throwing him into the fire.  He shares his message with Chief Collins asking drivers to pay attention.

Firetruck accidents rank as the second leading cause of on the job deaths for Firefighters.  Up to 25% of annual line-of-duty firefighter fatalities are attributable to motor vehicle crashes and collisions.  Approximately 500 firefighters are involved in fatal firetruck crashes every year; on average, 1 in 100 of those occupants die as a result of the crash.

Slow down, pay attention, and pull right for First Responders.

About Spokane Valley Fire Department
Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) serves a population of 125,000, including the cities of Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake and Millwood, as well as surrounding unincorporated areas within the 75-square miles of Spokane County Fire District 1. In 2019, SVFD firefighter crews, including its paramedics and EMTs, responded to more than 18,326 emergency calls.

Established eighty years ago in 1940, SVFD is committed to pursuing excellence and is distinguished as an Accredited Agency by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International and by the fire district’s ISO Class 2 rating from the Washington Survey and Rating Bureau.

Connect with SVFD at: spokanevalleyfire.com. For department news, safety information, and timely updates, find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

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