Detroit Fire policy to not use lights, sirens on all runs
DETROIT (WJBK) - Fire officials addressed city council after a new policy to no longer use lights and sirens on all runs has raised some concerns.
"When we talk about 17 accidents, I don't know that it warrants a policy change," said Janee Ayers with the Detroit City Council.
Several weeks ago, the Detroit Fire Department let go of its lights and sirens policy on some of its runs that are considered non-emergency.
"We're going to go a little slower. We're going to abide by traffic laws and we call it Code 2 response," said Robert Shinske with the Detroit Fire Department.
And when the run is urgent, they call it Code 1 and use lights and sirens.
But because the Fire Fighters Union has continued to raise concerns, members of city council requested more information during its meeting Monday. Fire officials stand by the policy and say it's safer.
"I've been involved where we've almost killed people or hurt people in a fire truck. We need to get there. If we don't get to the scene, we can't help you," Shinske said.
But during a previous session before city council, the union president was adamant about the policy being wrong.
"Firefighters and the medics in the field know that there's no crystal ball at central office and something that may sound non-emergent on the phone could be very emergent," said Mike Nevin of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association.
City officials say Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan supports the policy and for now fire officials say the policy will stand.