Follow us
Grand Prairie Fire Department invests in equipment to protect fire fighters from highway accidents, US
Grand Prairie Fire Department in Texas, US, has purchased truck-mounted attenuators, which are basically “crash cushions.” The nine-foot long trailers are hooked on the rear of fire engines to protect emergency crews when they are parked on roadways. The $35 000 devices are designed to absorb the impact from vehicles that too often crash into police and fire personnel. The department purchased two of the truck-mounted attenuators. A fire official said the energy-absorbing cushions also minimize the risk to the driver who hits it. “The application of innovative technology to incident response operations showcases the department’s commitment to improving the safety of our first responders and motorists on roadways,” Fire Chief Robert Fite said. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire truck accidents rank as the second-leading cause of on-the-job deaths for fire fighters. In 2019, the Emergency Responder Safety Institute reported 44 first responders were struck and killed by vehicles. According to the fire department, the TMAs ultimately save taxpayers money; the average cost to replace a fire truck can reach up to $1.1 million.
Source: CBS DFW 21 |
|
