I recently taught a class in northeastern Pennsylvania where I was approached by a student during a break. The student began to tell me how he was involved in a motor vehicle collision while responding to a call in his personal vehicle. As a fire police officer, his personal vehicle was equipped with lights and sirens, which were activated at the time of the crash. Unfortunately, when the member contacted his insurance company and notified it of the crash, it denied his claim and canceled his insurance. The student then explained how he had a very tough time trying to find an insurance company that would properly cover him during an emergency response.
This story prompted me to begin researching insurance companies and how they may or may not cover us as emergency responders. I am sure that, like most people, I had never given much thought as to whether I would be covered if I were involved in a crash during a response. This story gave me pause and caused me to start to think about it.
Contact Insurance Carrier
Make sure you reach out to your insurance carrier and explain what you do. Are you a volunteer firefighter who uses a blue light when responding to calls? In states like Pennsylvania, blue lights are “courtesy lights,” which give us no special rights or privileges. However, would an insurance company still consider this an emergency response, which may or may not be covered if you crash? Are you a chief officer, or do you live in a state that allows you to use lights and sirens in your personal vehicle? If so, does your insurance company know what you do and will it cover you in the event of a crash?
If your insurance company will not cover you, does your fire department insurance pick up the gap? If so, what and how much will it cover? Will it cover a family member who may be in the car during your response? Or will it only cover active members who are responding to the emergency? These are all questions that you must ask and resolve ahead of time so you aren’t left holding the bag should there be an accident.
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| (1) Roughly 25 to 30 percent of serious firefighter injuries or fatalities are the direct result of a motor vehicle crash in a personal vehicle. (Photo by author.) |
As a result of my discussion with this student, I reached out to a major insurance company regarding the matter. It stated that a volunteer firefighter with a blue light would still be covered in the event of a crash if that firefighter had a policy with this company. However, the insurance representative wasn’t sure what would happen if that firefighter was a chief officer who may be running lights and sirens. The rep is still researching the matter as of this writing.
Keep in mind that because there are so many different insurance companies and so many different types of insurance policies, there will be countless answers to the question of coverage based on each person’s individual situation. Regardless, make sure that anyone who responds in a personal vehicle takes the time to sit down and research how they would be covered by insurance in the event of a crash. In situations where members would not be covered, the fire department may have to sit and discuss how it will or will not protect its members in the event of a personal vehicle crash.
Personal Vehicle Operations
These types of discussions are also great opportunities to research, implement, and enforce policies and procedures related to personal vehicle operations. Since most of our country is served by volunteers, most fire departments will have some, if not all, of their members responding either to the scene or to the firehouse in a personal vehicle. Studies have shown that roughly 25 to 30 percent of serious firefighter injuries or fatalities are the direct result of a motor vehicle crash in a personal vehicle. Because of this, it is important that fire departments do not forget how important it is to have a strong personal vehicle safety program-if for no other reason than to ensure that these types of personal vehicle safety programs are in compliance with the National Fire Protection Association.
Good Inspection Program
I was very impressed when I taught a class at a fire department in New Jersey. The chief who hosted the class explained that in January of each year, the department conducts a personal vehicle inspection for every member who operates a personal vehicle during responses to the firehouse or to an emergency scene.
Members line their vehicles up at the rear drive-through bay and pull into the station one by one. Members are asked to produce their license, registration, and insurance. One fire officer ensures that all of the paperwork is in order; another fire officer checks to make sure the vehicle is in compliance. All lights, signals, emergency lighting, and other safety equipment are checked to ensure that they are in good working order. I highly recommend this type of inspection procedure at least once a year. Check drivers and their driving records no less than twice a year.
Do not forget the importance of personal vehicle safety. Ensure that your vehicle is in good working order and that all of your firefighters are in compliance with a personal vehicle standard operating procedure. Also make sure to check with your insurance company as soon as possible and verify that you will be covered should a crash occur while you are responding to the firehouse or to an emergency scene.
CHRIS DALY is a 25-year veteran of the fire service and a full-time police officer who specializes in the reconstruction of serious vehicle and emergency vehicle crashes. He developed the “Drive to Survive” training program (www.drivetosurvive.org), which he has presented to more than 14,000 emergency responders across the country, and lectures nationally on preventing emergency vehicle crashes. Daly has a master’s degree in safety from Johns Hopkins University, is a Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment editorial advisory board member, is a contributor to Fire Engineering, and has presented at FDIC International for the past 10 years.
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