Do You Wear Your Seatbelt

[fm2b]

I saw a poll on the main page that asked if you wear your seatbelt when responding to a run on the truck or engine. I wasn't able to review the results, but I am curious- do you wear your seatbelt? Reasons for wearing one are obvious, but I don't wear mine. Do you?

[This message has been edited by fm2b (edited October 20, 2000).]

[Ten8_Ten19]

I must confess I don't wear on calls either. I do usually wear them during training, exercise runs and work details. Very strange because my POV doesn't move unless I'm belted. It's partly adrenaline (other things on my mind) and partly convenience. Our engine has lap belts that are always laying down on the floor and the cab of the rescue is like a sardine can, especially with all your gear on. Pretty weak excuses, I know. Seat belts are state law and department policy and something a lot of us have to condition ourselves to do EVERY time.

[comwhite]

I hope our volunteers wear theirs. It's the Law, and our volunteers are subject to all laws that apply to motor vehicles. I was really surprised to hear that you didn't. It never crossed my mind that our volunteers might not be wearing theirs. Great question, and one I will asking. thanx

[ADSN/WFLD]

Yes, the seatbelt is a pain, in a cramped jumpseat it's often hard to locate the seatbelt, I've seen guys belt themselves into their airpack and if your not dressed you can't while the belt is on. But reguardless of the short delay getting into your gear, if your rig gets into an accident your chances of getting hurt or killed are greatly increased.

A few months back a Chicago ladder was struck by a pickup truck while enroute to a call. The Officer was ejected and died. The damage to the rig didn't look that bad on the news, if the officer was wearing a seatbelt he would probably be alive today. (he was the only fatality at this accident)

Always wear your seatbelt, it took a while for me to get in the habbit, but I always wear one on the fire apparatus. (back of the ambulance I can't always but I try to wear it as much as possible).

No one will fault you for wearing your belt, if they do they should find another profession.

Stay Safe

[FFCode3EMT]

If I'm on the Medic, I will wear it going to calls, and returning, but not when I'm working on a patient. On the Engine or Tower, I wear them if we're returning from calls, becase I've stripped off most of my gear and I'm sitting in the fold down jump seat. Like the others stated, I ALWAYS wear one in my personal vehicle, but on the way to a call it inhibits getting prepared for the call.

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**The preceding comments in no way represent the views of my department, its members, or associations that it may belong to.**

[Captain Gonzo]

I do wear the seatbelts....I've been to too many accidents and have seen too many needless deaths and injuries!

With the way people drive today....not paying attention, gabbing on the cell phone, shaving, putting on makeup, reading and driving at the same time, pulling out in front of you, cutting you off or stopping dead in front of you whenever they hear a siren...the chances of getting into an accident are greatly increased.

Like Vince and Larry say....Don't be a dummy wear your seatbelts!

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Firefighters: Today's heroes protecting our tomorrows....
Captain Gonzo



[This message has been edited by Captain Gonzo (edited October 22, 2000).]

[Capt. Clay]

This is a good topic! I've got this to add. Wear the belt, always. If it takes longer to gear up, who cares. I love the job, but the fire can wait, my girl can't wait forever.

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Be safe, have fun!
Capt. Clay
103

[Quint1Medic]

The *only* time I don't have my seatbelt on in the truck is when I'm trying to get into my turnout pants - it's impossible to stand up and wear a seatbelt. As soon as I'm in my bunkers, that belt goes on. We have a great big hill near our station, with a busy intersection midway down, and I'm constantly thinking, "What am I gonna break if we stop suddenly *right now*?" The idea of taking a high-speed header into one of the airpack mounting brackets gives me the shivers...

[This message has been edited by Quint1Medic (edited October 21, 2000).]

[Lafd4me]

I feel its the Apparatus Operators Responsibility to not operate that vehicle until it is safe to do so..which is in my opinion making sure everyone is ready to respond safely. I have been on the job for 20 yrs and 10 of them as an Engineer. And I feel its part of my responsibility to see to it that we are all safely ready to respond. I may not be able to physically see that everyone has their belt on but i have told all that ride on my Rig that I want seatbelts worn at all times. I could not live with myself if the Rig Im driving crashes and someone dies because they didnt wear a seatbelt. Please dont put us Apparatus Operators in that position of dealing with your death because you chose not to wear a seatbelt. GET THE PICTURE? See its not just about YOU!! http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif

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Tim..The FireGuy!!
LA City Fire Dept.

[smokeeater51]

http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/rolleyes.gif Well fm2b, I must say that in our past "conversations", I have always swayed to the side of safety. But you've finally caught me. I used to be in the USAF, and it is military law that everyone wears their seatbelts, and I do, in my own vehicles. I am very bad when it comes to the apparatus though. I think I can count on one hand the number of times I have worn a seatbelt in a fire engine. When it is snowing, or the road conditions are less than favorable, I will find the time to put it on, but on any other given day..... I know that it is a life saver, and I am a "seatbelt pusher" when it comes to people riding in my POV, but for some reason, I just don't think about it while in the rigs. I must thank you because it is an eye opener.
I know I don't want my wife and little girl wondering why...........

Take care, stay safe, & stay low.

Lt.

[AVF&R452]

Not as often as I should... http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/redface.gif


[This message has been edited by AVF&R452 (edited October 22, 2000).]

[Smoke286]

I wear it when i am driving, but not when I'm in the back seat, dont seem very logical does it

[SRVFD2]

When we have a driver's training class, this subject is emphasized - showing differences in where you'll be with vs. without a seat belt. But ya'll have given me a new insight - yeah, we know we should - and yeah, in our state it is a law. That adrenaline thing can really make us all forget!! I agree with smokeeater 51 - this is an eye-opener -----and like cornwhite, I'm gonna start asking!!!!!!

[Aerial 131]

I find it most interesting to see how many of US do not wear our belts every single time we get into any kind of apparatus whether it is POV or not.

This is amazing to think of!!

Of all the people in the world who see others in extreme pain and agony we should be setting the example and be the leaders of something that is the right thing to do all the time no matter how inconvienced we might be.

How many kids going to the prom have
DIED! because they did not want the dress or tux to get a crease in it. Or the dress wrinkled or the hair messed up, shall I go on.

And some of US suggest that not wearing the belt will make us get ready sooner to do the JOB when we get to the scene, rather than put the belt on, tell the driver we are ready to go, get there, take the belt off (driving down the road is done now), get ready to do the JOB, and guess what??? we are all in one piece to do the JOB!! Are not the rules for us to get there to help not be part of the problem.

Some one took a great picture (I do not like these kind of pics)(I think it was Firehouse Mag about apparatus accidents) of an engine which had rolled over and everyone was wearing the belts and they all walked away?? There was another of where someone did not. American Heat had a great video story on what happen in the Southwest when an engine and an aerial hit each other at an intersection.

My drivers know we do not move until we all have the belts on. All the calls, coming and going. To home, around home, at work and play. ALL THE TIME!!!



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[Big T]

The EMT's in the front seats always wear there belts.. But the EMT's in the back working on the patient never were them..

[benson911]

Every day, every time. The only time I don't have it on is when I'm forced to move in the back of the squad while treating and transporting a patient. But, as soon as I find a seat, the belt goes on.

[iwood51]

AS regular posters on this forum know, I am recuperating from an accident in my POV responding to an alarm. I wear my seatbelt 99% of the time in my POV, but alas, this time I wasn't. I broke C-2, C-5, C-7 and T-3 vertebrae. I am lucky to be sitting here, let alone having full functionality in my extremeties. I am a chauffer on all apparatus and a driving instructor for the Department (I should know better, huh http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/smile.gif )
I never used to wear my seatbelt in the truck, even as a Captain riding OIC. When I get back, and I say when not if, that will be a situation that changes. Front or back of the truck, it doesn't matter. It only takes a fraction of a second to change your life forever, whether it's riding the truck, or inside the building.
Think about it brothers and sisters.
Be Safe

Ian Wood

[MtnFire]

SOGs for our district have the apparatus operator responsible for not moving the vehicle until all are seated and belted. This is rigidly enforced, to the point that on a run last night we sat for about 30 sec. while the operator got his recalcitrant belt to fasten.

The operator was our Chief, so it was satisfying to know that the rules apply to all. (I think I heard him on the radio this morning talking to our mechanic about fixing a certain seat belt.)

[fjbfour]

Neither my car or any apparatus I'm driving turn a wheel until I'm belted in. My former dept, where we had fully staffed engines and paramedic units, if I was in the jumpseats (fully enclosed) I would delay belting in until the SCBA pack was on - more than once I had somehow attached myself to the seatbelts and gotten stuck. http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/redface.gif In the back of the ambulance, most of the time it was impractical to be belted, no matter how bad you wanted to be. I guess working the patient in back includes some calculated risks . . . http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/frown.gif

[Fire Line]

ALWAYS!!!!!!!!!!

Last week two teenagers were killed when the vehicle they were in rolled. Both were ejected, the driver who was wearing her seatbelt walked away with minor injuries. One was the son of one of the paramedics who responded.

Drive Safe
Arrive Safe

[snowmankw77]

I always try to wear my seatbelt on the engine becuase it is an open cab but i don't always wear it in the squad or brush truck.

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Matt Briskey
Eastern Garrett County
Station 80

"What's in it for me?

Hard Work
Injury
Possible Death
A deep and abiding feeling of personal satisfaction found in few aspects of life"

"Nobody ever called the fire department when they did something smart!!"

[E_man9RFD]

Everyone in our company wears them. To and from alarms, or when we are just in service. We also secure our air packs.

AAD
Eng. Co. 9
RFD

[ffirefighter]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by fm2b:
I saw a poll on the main page that asked if you wear your seatbelt when responding to a run on the truck or engine. I wasn't able to review the results, but I am curious- do you wear your seatbelt? Reasons for wearing one are obvious, but I don't wear mine. Do you?

[This message has been edited by fm2b (edited October 20, 2000).][/QUOT
I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVE NEVER ONCE WORN MY SEATBELT EITHER ON DRILLS, CALLS, OR EVEN COVERING FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAYS. TO TELL THE TRUTH I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT OUR APPARATUS HAD SEATBELTS UNTILL ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER I JOINED. ALSO OUR RESCUE SQUAD ONLY HAS BELTS FOR THE DRIVER AND OFFICER, WHICH IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MANY REASONS WE'RE GETTING A NEW ONE. BUT I DOUBT I'LL WEAR A BELT IN THAT TRUCK EITHER.

[Aerial 131]

Dear ffirefighter, do not play with fate, it will get you at some point. The seal belts are in OUR apparatus for a good reason and they are not to just look at. Wear them, I do not want to see the LOFF notice telling us you have died because you were not doing the right thing. Maybe you could ask your wife her opinion of whether you should or not.

Don Zimmerman

[9C7]

Always, every time. POV or fire rig. Why? No. 1--common sense. 2-- Town policy is for everyone in the rig to wear a seatbelt.

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Stay Safe.
You asked for my opinion, now you have it. Any similarity to another opinion, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

[Frank Allen]

In my dept. it is in the S.O.P's that ALL PERSONS will be belted in at ALL times. If we respond to a M.V.A. with ejection why should we do the same stupid thing and go out without ours on. Remember one thing our life saftey comes before anything or anyone. I would rather take a few extra seconds to get belted in than taking off without the belt on. Remember this is just my opinion. Happy Holidays to all. Please Stay safe

[PublicEducator]

If in my personal Vehicle I do wear it some of the time. My 7 year old will remind me of it. On the way to the station for a call-no....in the apparatus-no. I know that we should, but do not. It is the adrenalin rush.....affects memory.

[Bleve_30]

Always. Everytime. Every vehicle.

[hfdfao]

I would say the 90 percent of the time I do wear my seatbelt, and the rest of the time its because I overlooked putting it on, not because I didn't want to. My bigger concern is that now that I am all strapped in, all the stuff in the cab has a nice staedy target to hit if we get in an accident. When are we going to stop putting projectiles in our cabs?

As for it being the engineers responsibilty not to operate the truck until all are belted, true. However, when the guys in the seat say all set, I assume they are. I am not going to get out and check them, and it is their responsibilty if they are not belted in. It is a policy in my department as well.

Dave


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In Memory of those who have passed before us, may their loss not be in vain........

djleblanc@capecod.net

[14Rescue1]

For all of those who don't wear your belt, START.
I was involved in an accident involving a piece of apparatus less than a week ago. The seatbelt saved my life as well as taking the hit squarely on the frame in this headon crash.
Before you roll out the door think of family and ptu the belt on.

[DeputyChief673]

MOST DEFINITELY...WHENEVER I AM RIDDING ON THE ENGINE IT WILL NOT LEAVE THE BAY UNTIL ALL MEMBERS ARE BELTED IN. WE TRAIN AND STRIVE TO KEEP THIS IN MIND WHEN WE ARE DOING TRAINING, SO WHEN THE TONE GOES OFF IT WILL STICK IN ALL MEMBERS HEAD TO BUCKLE UP. IT IS LIKE PUTTING YOUR GEAR ON, IT SHOULD COME TO YOU LIKE SECOND NATURE...

[fire1152]

I'm a single daddy and my 8 yr old daughter doesn't care what burns, she just want her daddy to come back home after each call.
Besides I ALWAYS tell her "I love you and I'll be back" I would hate to become a liar.


Be safe BUCKLE UP!!!

[eng10drvr]

I wear my belt 95% of the time, but occasionaly I forget as for my crew if they buzz I assume they are belted in. Unfortunetly w/ our new trucks we been having a problem with the FF standing in the back. http://www.firehouse.com/forums/mad.gif

[HOTDOG]

Have to admit, wear it in my POV, wear it on drills, training, etc. but most of the time the adrenaline rush, getting directions, etc. cause my Peabrain to forget. Can't see my officer's lap to know if he is wearing his, but most of the time he is not. Jumpseats are separate from the driver's compartment so when they tell me let's go...I go. I am glad this topic was brought up....I will definately work on it not only for myself but the entire dept.

Faith in God...Trust in training!!

[Fireboy422]

I was in a truck roll over accident last month, the only reason I'm not seriously hurt is because I did put on my seat belt. PUT IT ON BEFORE YOU START THE TRUCK!!!

Read: http://mu.mlive.com/news/index.ssf?/news/stories/20010119mtruckr520.frm

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-FF D. Betka
NSFD
Norton Shores, MI

[mike021]

To busy packing up on runs. plus the drive is always so short it's barely enought time to get completly packed up. always on parade's drills, or anything like that

[fireeater650]

nope... i know i should though

[rumlfire]

I guess I am as guilty as the next when it comes to buckling up in the truck. Sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. It is a habit that we all need to form.

[sarge552]

State of Michigan requires by law that all occupants of a motor vehicle be seat belted while the vehicle is in motion. Our dept. has a standing SOG that you must wear your seatbelt on all responses, emergent or otherwise.

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"Stay Safe, Stay Low and lets Rock-n-Roll"

[Firelover]

Should but for some reason noone in our department doesn't seem to be in the habit.

It's bad. really bad

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Joel

If you sent us to HELL, WE'D PUT IT OUT!!

[Lt. Dave E93]

I have a only a few words for you reguarding seatbelts. First is FAMILY!!! Is your life worth losing for a stupid accident that happened when you were going to the grocery store? I don't know the answer...ask your FAMILY!!!
Second, if you aren't wearing your seatbelt and you get killed/injured, most likely your department will NOT pay for your actions (if it is policy to wear them). In other words,you could be very much SCREWED money wise if you chose not to obey the simple seatbelt policies. (again, ask your FAMILY what they think!)
As a station supervisor, I have required my guys to wear them. There are a few moments when we might have to take them off to 'bunk up' but they are to put 'em back on. I also told them that I care about their safety and well-being and I don't want to have to tell their wives..."well, if he had only been wearing his seatbelt... I wish I would have made him wear it!!." NOT ME MAN!!
Buckle UP!!!

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Lt. Dave E93
Fishers Fire Dept.
Fishers, IN

"...to know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded. " Ralph Waldo Emerson

[iwood51]

Originally posted by Lt. Dave E93:
I have a only a few words for you reguarding seatbelts. First is FAMILY!!! Is your life worth losing for a stupid accident that happened when you were going to the grocery store? I don't know the answer...ask your FAMILY!!!
Second, if you aren't wearing your seatbelt and you get killed/injured, most likely your department will NOT pay for your actions (if it is policy to wear them). In other words,you could be very much SCREWED money wise if you chose not to obey the simple seatbelt policies. (again, ask your FAMILY what they think!)

Buckle UP!!!



First point, couldn't agree more.
Second point, not necessarily true. I was involved in an MVA while responding to an alarm and broke my neck in 3 places and my back in 1. IMO, my injuries would have definitely been less severe if I had my seatbelt on, but the insurance company covered all bills.
I'm not condoning it (not wearing the belt). It was my on lack of preparedness that got me into the predicament and put me out of service for 4 months.
Now I wear my seatbelt religiously, except the brush truck, which doesn't have them. Have to have a chat with the mechanic about that.

[smokeater-n-hellraiser]

Like 14Rescue1 and others said, I am alive, ambulatory, and unharmed thanks to that little 4 inch wide piece of material. I have been involved in 2 headons ( One utility pole, one '95 Camry), one rear ender (we got nailed hard, 35 or more at time of impact)one roll over, and multiple spins and 360's. Let me tell you folks, that seatbelt is on everyone in my car, or we never leave the parking space. Ever.

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"I hate it when someone says something is impossible, because then I have to go and find a way to do it."
Stay safe, boys and girls. It's for keeps out there.

[aktormedic]

i always wear my seatbelt in my POV, never in a firetruck..we usually only have a 3-5 minute response time with other companie son our tail, so we have to get dressed in route.
the way some of our engine drivers are, we really SHOULD wear them though...

[TCFire]

Interesting timing.....we've just gone through a minor controversy in my Company. Our first-out pumper is a 1999 ALF/General that has belts on all seats as well as sensors on all seats. If you're sitting on the seat and have not put your belt on, a buzzer sounds. It's loud enough to be very annoying enroute to a scene competing with the radio, talking amongst onboard crew, etc. Some members, after a recent structure fire, requested the sensors be disconnected to eliminate the buzzer noise. As you pack-up enroute to a scene you obviously can't put the belt on, consequently the buzzer sounds adding to an already charged atmosphere in the cab. As Chief I said no way, they're a safety feature of the apparatus, they're installed to hopefully save your life if the rig ever has an accident, and lastly, if we had an accident there is no way I could defend the disconnecting of a safety system on the vehicle. I have some grumbling folks who can only see the benefit of reduced noise, but after asking them to put themselves in my place (try and tell the judge that we didn't like the noise so we disconnected them or buckled them behind the seat) they found that there is no defense.

[smokeater-n-hellraiser]

Tc, it seems to me that there is an easy soloution: Make use of the seatbelts, the nthe buzzers wil magically go away. Now, I know that fire and EMS eprsonnel want to get to the scene as quick as possible, but I have heard of some dept.'s starting to gear fully before ever getting into the truck, or not moving the vehicle until everyone is strapped in and has been strapped into their gear. Mayhaps this would solve the problem? Just my thoughts...

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"I hate it when someone says something is impossible, because then I have to go and find a way to do it."
Stay safe, boys and girls. It's for keeps out there.

[philip publicover]

In Nova Scotia it is the law. Regardless of the vehicle you are supposed to be belted. If not and you get stopped it is a $117 fine. But who is going to stop a firetruck?

Due diligence is a big part any safety program. We have the need to protect ourselves every time we go out the door.

Last week, Thursday February 15th, our rescue was responding to a medical emergency. The two MFR's in the cab of the vehicle were not wearing there belts. At 40 km/h, 25 mph, they hit a frost heave ( A depression in the road caused by the freezing and warming cycle of this time of the year.) that was the full width of the road and 3 feet wide and 1 foot deep. They did not see this in the road ahead of them and it was not a commonly travelled road. Both members hit the roof of the truck with enough force to leavemarks in the metal roof liner. The truck came to a complete stop. Both members exited the vehicle to check for damage and then continued on their way after shaking off the impact and warning others responding in POV's about the road damage.

Wear your belts. Everytime. Everywhere.

We are all guilty of not wearing the belts at some time in our past. Unless you are still driving an open cab 1920 pumper you have belts in the truck. As has been said " Do it for your Family."

Philip Publicover, Fire Chief
District #1 Fire Dept.
Blandford, N.S., Canada
E-mail blandfordvfd@hotmail.com

Train Hard and Train Safe

[LFD2203]

i still find it unsettling to see how many of us will rationalize the risk we take. face it, the 30 seconds you save by "packing up" on the way becomes no issue if you are fatally injured. think about it, 30 seconds vs. the rest of your life.
over the last couple of years, we have seen pictures of fire appartus involved in MVA's that very possibly would not have been LODD incidents had seat belts been used. i think of the picture of the engine in texas where the driver side hit a overpass abutment, and the driver lived. the officer was killed. the only damage you can see on the officer's side is the windshield missing. that picture breaks my heart.
the absolute short term goal that i have at the start of every shift is that everyone goes home at the end of the shift. a seatbelt is a valuable step toward the accomplishment of that goal.
be safe......