As we all know, time is of the essence in our profession. Regardless of whether the incident is a fire, an emergency medical run, or any other type of call, we should try to get to the incident in the shortest time. It can be (and has been) demonstrated that time normally cannot be made up en route to the incident. Driving faster and with reckless abandon only gains seconds and has been proven to be significantly less safe (if not deadly).
So, where do we make up time, and what are safe driving practices? I read somewhere that the only way to reduce response time is to shorten turnout or scramble time-the time from the receipt of the alarm in the station until the apparatus leaves the station. Part of scramble time is the time spent “bunkering up” for fire runs.
Our policy in Toledo is that all members are bunkered up, seated, and belted in prior to turning a wheel on any fire run. Apparatus drivers are exempt from this rule. First, it would take extra time for the driver to bunker up on top of starting the apparatus, checking the position of the door, glancing out side mirrors to quickly view the status of compartment doors, and all the other “checks” a good driver makes before turning a wheel. Second, many drivers are uncomfortable operating apparatus in bunker pants and boots. Once on-scene, drivers are required to bunker up as quickly as practical.
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