BRENHAM FIRETRUCK INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT WHILE ON WAY TO FIRE CALL

  

Emergency personnel are at the scene of an accident involving a Brenham Fire truck.

The Fire Department was en route to a call in the Bluebonnet Shopping Center when the fire truck was struck by an 18-wheel tractor-trailer at the intersection of Highway 290 and Highway 36 South.

At least one firefighter has been taken to a nearby hospital.

Authorities have closed down the intersection at this time.

All traffic is urged to avoid the area at this time.

 

 

 

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8 Comments

  1. I’m not criticizing the fire truck driver. Just merely pointing out other options.
    How about going with the simple solution of all emergency vehicles stopping and clear the intersection 100% before going through a red light. Seems like that would save money on the Opti-con equipment (Which don’t always work (Fog/rain), and require maintenance.), the cost of repairs to a fire truck, increased insurance premiums, and any court cost, or settlement, the city might have to deal with when it comes to that. Not to mention, injuries to firefighters and the public they protect. The city is now also short a fire truck for an unknown period of time. It even seems logical to brake and clear the intersection even if the light is green. That’s just using safe driving practices, which doesn’t cost anything but training. Yes stopping takes seconds, but having a wreck doesn’t get you there at all and doesn’t do anyone any good. Just seems safer to slow down, stop, and clear the intersection.
    If it is a matter of response time, then it’s time to build a station on that side of town. I’d rather see my tax money go towards that.
    Be Safe, Everyone goes home!

  2. There is equipment in use in other communities that greatly reduces the situations. It’s called Opti-Con. It turns the traffic control lights to red Igor the cross traffic when approaching emergency vehicles (with option) activate the sensors. This would be especially beneficial at 290 and 36 since this is a virtually blind intersection.

    1. We tried to budget for Opti-Con systems for years for several key red-light intersections in town, but, each time the systems did not gain City Council’s approval

      Alan Finke
      Deputy Fire Chief (retired)

      1. Sad part is there is past members of the dept that have sat & are still on city council that carry a grudge against the dept fight whatever we bring up & also have vowed to never get a second as long as they have a say

        1. Unfortunately, the Fire Dept. isn’t the only department that this person comes down on. Times will change soon enough.

    2. I’m willing to bet BFD and BPD have probably been asking the City to get that system for years but the City won’t spend the money.

      1. I have no idea what these systems costs (did not know they existed before this article), but the well being and health of our first responders is very important. I would hope the City Council would take another look at this and consider the protection a system like this would provide to our first responders, the equipment they drive, and the public at large. I have seen times when driver do not hear or notice emergency vehicle until they are upon each other, a system like this would provide great protection for the first responders and the public.

  3. This intersection is very bad with
    Vehicles running Red lights.
    Be nice if there was a way when
    EMERGENCY Vehicles approcing
    Intersection that RED LIGHT
    SIGNS be placed Before Intersection
    Stating Yield/Stop for Emergency
    Vehicles….
    Just a thought.
    Prayers for Everyone on this Accident Scene
    And for where Fire Truck called to.

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