Rolling fire engine with 8 kids onboard hits tree

[robert benz 344]

How many of us have had apparatus at block parties, fundraisers, whatever and had kids climbing on the rig.

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/nbh/2010/04/25-20/Rolling-fire-engine-with-8-kids-onboard-hits-tree.html?ne=1

[M' Ave 1,466]

Wow, very good thing no one was hurt. 50,000 lbs rolling down the street is pretty scary. WHEEL CHOCKS!!!

[IzzyEng4 427]

Wow, very good thing no one was hurt. 50,000 lbs rolling down the street is pretty scary. WHEEL CHOCKS!!!

Ditto!

[gpdexplorer 46]

Besides making a chocks comment, this is why children should always be supervised when allowing them to explore the inside of a rig, especially when in the driver's seat.

[LTNRFD 266]

A few years ago a pre-school came to see New Rochelle Fire Station #5 for a tour of the station and Engine 25. After giving our little talk about the engine we allowed the 4-5 year olds a chance to sit in the drivers seat. The engine was in the rear driveway, wheels chocked and the batteries were on so we could be in service by radio. The first child that was lifted into the seat, without hesitation, reached over to the small black button in the middle of the dashboard and pushed it in. The look on everyones face of horror that this kids had just started the engine. The kid was so proud of himself and the officer ordered the batteries off and a man to the watch desk to monitor alarms.

Even when you think you have all the bases covered, think again. Murphy always seems to find his way home.

[Guest alsfirefighter]

While not policy...I never allow the kids to sit on the drivers side when I'm involved in such activities, batteries on/off etc. when doing general public relation events it can be tedious when you have large numbers of person who are in and around your apparatus literally all day. With that in mind, only the rear doors are left open if kids or even adults want to get in and take pictures and you can hear the click of a door opening and immediately let them know that the area is off limits. This also includes the hose bed area...its a fire apparatus and not a jungle gym and our hoses often are dragged through not such nice things from glass to chemicals...just another avoidable accident..avoided.

On a additional thought...sometimes we often keep compartments open as well...remember that some of the tools/equipment we use can be sharp or hazardous with touching be it mechanical or even contamination with chemicals. Think before you openly display something a kid can grab and get cut on.