Fwd: New AFD Driving Policy

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>

> Fire chief alters controversial driving policy

>

> By Tony Plohetski | Friday, August 28, 2009, 02:44 PM

>

> Austin firefighters would again be able to drive up to 10 miles over

> the

> speed limit when responding to emergencies, under a revised driving

> policy

> obtained this afternoon. But the policy would still require them to

> completely stop at intersections.

>

> Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr earlier this month had issued new rules

> that said

> firefighters had to drive the speed limit when responding to calls —

> prompting outcry from the fire union, which said the policy would

> delay

> emergency responses. Firefighters also have expressed concern about

> having

> to make a complete stop at intersections.

>

> Kerr has said that the policy changes were intended to keep

> firefighters and

> civilian drivers safer and that she did not think the measure would

> hinder

> response times.

>

> Officials have said that policy, issued earlier this month, gave

> firefighters discretion to exceed the speed limit in certain

> circumstances.

> They said the latest revision makes their intentions clearer.

>

> Kerr is expected to put the amended policy in place next week.

> According to

> those rules, firefighters would be able to drive at speeds above the

> posted

> speed limit after they consider weather and road conditions, traffic

> congestion, the number of pedestrians, traffic flow and visibility.

>

> The latest revision is similar to standard operating procedures for

> fire

> truck drivers issued by the International Association of Professional

> Firefighters. Those procedures also require firefighters stop at

> intersections but permits them to drive up to 10 miles per hour

> above posted

> speed limits in certain circumstances.

>

> http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/cityhall/entr

> ies/2009/08/28/fire_chief_alters_controversia.html

>

>