Two firefighters riding on top of a ladder truck had to duck to avoid a railroad bridge as they were en route to a call. Witnessing crews failed to correct this unsafe behavior, which violated the fire department's policy requiring all personnel to ride inside vehicles and wear seat belts. An off-duty firefighter reported the incident to the fire chief. This scenario highlighted failures in safety compliance and leadership that could have seriously injured or killed crew members.

1. The scenario: Two firefighters were en route to a preplan, standing on top of the turntable
(ladder truck). As the company approached a railroad bridge, both had to duck to avoid the top of
the bridge. Although an engine company crew following directly behind the ladder witnessed the
behavior they decided to take no action. However, an off-duty firefighter was driving on the
same street and happened to pass by as these firefighters had to duck down. He called the fire
chief to report the problem. The fire department had a written SOG/SOP requiring all personnel
to ride in the cab and wear seat belts whenever the engine was in motion. Every member working
that day failed to take any action and speak up conveying any concerns despite witnessing the
improper behavior
Major issues: The firefighters riding on the ladder truck could have been seriously injured
or killed as a result of their actions. The two ladder truck firefighters where in violation of their
department SOP/SOG. The officer in charge of the ladder truck did not ensure the safety of all
the firefighters riding on the ladder truck. The ladder truck driver failed to ensure everyone was
inside the cab and seat belted. The officer in charge of the engine failed to correct the firefighters
from riding on the ladder truck. No one from the engine crew stopped the ladder truck
firefighters from riding on the ladder truck. Everyone on that crew failed to correct a dangerous
and improper behavior.
Potential solutions: If the all firefighters rode inside the cab and wore their seat belts, they
could have prevented this whole scenario and they would not have been disciplined for their
SOP/SOG violations. If the officer on the ladder truck would have corrected their subordinate’s
improper behavior, the scenario could have been avoided. If the crew members of the ladder
truck or the engine spoke up against the improper behavior (Ford, 2012, p. 81), the scenario
could have been avoided.
Recommendations: The officer on the ladder truck should have ensured his firefighter
were inside the cab of the ladder truck and wearing their seat belts, as directed per their
department’s SOP/SOG. All firefighters are in charge of safety and should be held accountable
as such. All firefighters should be disciplined for their failure to correct the improper behavior of
the firefighters on the ladder truck. An off duty firefighter should not be the one having to report
a crew’s behavior to the chief. The officer in charge of the ladder truck should have advised the
chief of his mistake and take ownership of the improper behavior.
Works Cited
Ford,T. (2012). Fire and Emergency ServicesSafety and Survival. UpperSaddle River,NJ:Pearson.