Who runs the siren?

[laddertruckgoes]

Simple enough question sure to bring a diverse bunch of answers... when you're responding to calls, who runs the sirens, horns, and radios... and why?

[JDub]

Most of the time how I have seen it done in my department is the Officer of the truck controls the siren and radio and the driver 9 times out of 10 controls the air horn for braking reasons. Is seems to work well for us.

[hp4l]

The siren is usually handled by the officer, but there's a pedal for the driver too. I personally like the driver handling the air horn because of the brakes. I may be wrong, but i believe some newer trucks only have the air horn for the driver to control because of that fact.

As for the radio, that is the officer's responsibility. That's not to say that he/she can't tell the driver to sign on while they are getting geared up. In my opinion, if you want to drive, you should know all of the radio procedures and radio lingo just as the driver has to. Most radio transmissions are going to go through the driver anyway.

[ENG27SQ]

Officer runs the Q,Air Horns and Powercall/electronic siren

Driver runs the air horns for braking purposes. Drivers don't need to be running the radio unless its deemed necessary by the apparatus officer. both hands on the wheel everyone.

I know there are drivers out there that want to run the radio, but like i said, BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL, let the officer of the unit do his/her job.

[Kramer]

we have pedals for each on both sides and have the problem of a couple drivers getting preoccupied...not good. now only the officers are supposed to handle that, but its hard to teach the old dogs new ways.....

[thelurker]

I prefer to use the Q when I drive, it gives me something to do with my left foot, so im not hunting for the clutch, also I use the air horn off of the steering wheel. The Electric and the Radio are left to the officer. They need to worry about their size up and the like, I can do the sirens and horns while I drive.

[3105]

There are no hard and fast rules in our department; a lot depends on the D/O and the situation. In most cases, the officer "assists" the D/O in using the siren and air horn when the need arises, such as when we're trying to navigate through a very congested Main Street...the D/O is usually very focused on watching the parking areas for the little old ladies who always seem to pull out, open a car door, or better yet, step out into the pedestrian crosswalk. Our rule of thumb is to use the electronic constantly while driving from Church to Chester Avenues with judicious application of the mighty Q when needed.

As far as the radio is concerned, the officer should use it so that's one less thing to divert the D/O's attention.is not to say that D/O's can't use sirens or the radios...it's just less of a workload for the officer to handle. Our D/O candidates are taught from the very beginning to let someone else handle it if available. I try to talior my actions to the driver...if they're competent and alert, its never a problem.

[1840]

The Driver drives and that should be all while the apparatus is in motion. He/She advises on air horn use. Do not need any distractions, get my people there and home!

[shader101]

right seat yaps on the radio and activates the siren, hopefully not at the same time,air horns are either, map/opps book is in the middle of both left to the one that can read or they can both sing the scarecrows song from the wiz of oz lol

[Genesis 1 1]

Couldnt agree more with 1840's reply.... Driver only drives and should not be fiddling with sirens of any kind or air horns or radio. Speak up if you think the officer is on the horns too long. Please get us there and back safely.

[kgimeno]

The drivers have the capability to operate the Q in all out engines but only the driver has the air horn. In the ladder the officer can do the Q and air horn. I prefer to let the horn up to the driver because of the brakes, but all other functions should rest with the officer. The driver should be paying attention to the road and have both hands on the wheel. This is one of the reasons a great deal of apparatus are being delivered with automatic transmissions now.

[daveconstantine]

For years I have liked the idea the driver/operator drives and the officers seat runs the controls - radio, maps, siren, etc. the air-horns can be an option. There is enough to do driving the rig that the warning devices can be left to someone who is not watching for vehicles pulling out, the little old cotton ball in front of them or the kid coming from the curb.

The command vehicles are not left out of the mix either, they have a difficult task. Not only are they concentrating on the drive but if they are worth half a puddle, they are knee deep in thought about the incident; thinking ahead of the alarm system to the possible work they are responding toooooo. Don't forget the coffee and smokin a shmagigi (cig's).

Emergency vehicle operation is not duty to be taken lightly, it is a very serious part of the operation. To the younger members this may seem like a cool thing to do and the officer seat is a cool place to ride. it is, but realize there is a large amount of information and knowledge that needs to be processed in both seats. Knowing when and when not to activate the warning devices is just the tip of the iceberg right ahead. Miss a radio communication and you may have pooched the first five minutes of the operation.

SORRY for the rant!!!!!!!

[gongsquad]

Officer handles the siren/sirens, radio, and map book. Driver handles well driving and the air horn. The officer can use the air horn but should use it sparingly since he cant see the air guage.