It is critical for every emergency service organization to adopt and put into practice intersection guidelines for emergency vehicle operators.
At a minimum, these standard operating guidelines should include the following recommended practices.
Controlled Intersections:
Any intersection controlled by a stop sign, yield sign or yellow or red traffic light requires a complete stop by the emergency vehicle driver if all visible traffic in all lanes cannot be accounted for. In addition, these steps must be followed:
Do not rely on warning devices to clear traffic.
Scan the intersection for possible hazards (right turns on red, pedestrians, vehicles traveling fast, etc.), as well as driver options.