'It puts our lives in danger': First Responders and SGI advocate for safety around emergency vehicles
First responders and SGI have partnered together to promote safety around emergency vehicles at the Prince Albert salvage centre Tuesday evening. They want to remind the public to reduce their speed when passing crews on the highway.
“Our goal with this event was to bring the community in with some really engaging demonstrations,” Michaela Solomon, a spokesperson with SGI said in an interview with CTV News.
According to the latest statistics from SGI, in 2021 there were 53 collisions involving emergency vehicles-nine of which resulted in injuries. SGI numbers also show there were 1,744 convictions for failing to slow to 60km/h.
Local firefighters demonstrated a vehicle extrication commonly known as the ‘Jaws of Life’. Prince Albert deputy fire chief Alex Paul said crews often work on the side or in the middle of the road.
“It puts our lives in danger when traffic is passing by us at a high rate of speed,” he told CTV News.
Paul said it’s not uncommon for drivers to speed past, and said first responders have to be aware of their surroundings.
“It's unfortunate that we have to spend a portion of our time on those scenes concentrating on the traffic around us, as opposed to concentrating on the job that needs to be done,” he said.
He encourages drivers to watch for emergency lights and to always pay attention to the road.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
U.S. vetoes a widely supported UN resolution backing full membership for Palestine
The United States has vetoed a widely backed UN resolution that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for the state of Palestine.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.