New Dallas-Fire Rescue Program Uses Blocker Trucks to Increase Safety

A new pilot Dallas-Fire Rescue program is aimed at not only protecting first responders helping victims on the freeway, but also saving taxpayers money.

[t.d.bowman]

I love how they are solving a major issue without a major price tag. Koodos to the genious that thought this up.

[DonaldRayner]

they need that type of engine here in maryland

[MrMarkar]

Might as well make it a Roach Coach for Snacks too

[George-ijx]

Great job. I would like to see Joshua and briar oaks to do that too. Great way to keep a rig around

[davidshettlesworth]

Texas interstates are very scary on a clear day with your car moving at the flow of traffic speeds. Add weather on top of that and it will get scary very fast. I can't even imagine what the fire fighters and EMTs deal with. They need to add some strap on crash water barrels to the sides of the old "Blocking Vehicle" to help it survive the crash when it comes. And it Will Come!

[spraggaa]

Couple years back California high way arrested a crew for blocking traffic now look at TX leading the way

[lolzlolz]

Has there been any recent(ish) studies regarding the use of all red emergency lighting vs either all blue or half red/half blue?

[carlstanoyevic]

If we creat a law you hit one your car and license are gone for a couple of years.there is no excuse or exception if you hit an emergency vehicle that is parked.

[DaveCMH-MD]

How in actual F do you not see the flashing red

[jaredharris]

Ok so what if a semi hits the blocker and pushes the blocker into the first responders

[res]

What happened to Truck 19 after major crash?

[rekklesscc]

Why does the reporter look like he's from who ville

[robmonkey]

Staffing is the highest cost to any fire department, not equipment. Even if it is staffed by only one person per shift x3 shifts = $300, 000 to $400, 000 per year for just one blocker truck.

And with just one, it won't even be able to respond to every freeway accident ie: multiple accidents in multiple locations simultaneously.

I'm not saying it's a bad idea. But it's not an inexpensive fix-all solution. If it succeeds as a pilot program and is expanded to 3-4 blocker trucks you're talking a million dollars a year or more just in salaries. Add in rollup expenses (health plan, retirement, etc.) now you're probably over $2M/yr.

[suisseanonyme]

But wait... we have that in Switzerland!

... It's called a fire engine, you just have to park it correctly...


But I've never heard of a collision between a stationary emergency vehicle anyway and a car in Switzerland, maybe it's because we have a demanding driving license, I'm saying that, I'm saying nothing...

[rb]

Texas wastes bottomless amounts of money on car dependency