Skerries Team’s Emergency Rescue Vehicles

The team’s current response vehicles include two Toyota Hilux 4WD & a Polaris Ranger all terrain vehicle. These three vehicles are used for search and rescue operations (SAR) and carry the full kit of rescue equipment.

What should you do when you hear the sirens of an emergency vehicle approaching?

Deciding how to react to an emergency vehicle using blue lights and sirens can sometimes be a tricky dilemma. How should you react? Sometimes your actions may even inadvertantly impede or endanger the emergency vehicle.

The Road Safety Authority of Ireland (RSA) has issued useful guidelines on sharing the road with emergency service vehicles:

• Be alert. Keep noise levels in your vehicle at a level that allows you to hear the sirens from emergency vehicles.
• When you see blue falshing lights or hear sirens, clear the way as soon as you can do so safely.
• Watch out for other road users, indicate your intention to pull over. Pull over only in a space that leaves enough space for the emergency vehicle/s to pass safely. Stay there until the emergency vehicle has passed. Watch out for other emergency vehicles as there may be more than one.
• If you are approaching the scene of an incident, watch out for emergency services personnel walking around the incident site. Approach the scene carefully, slow down and be prepared to stop.

A full copy of the RSA booklet is available to download from their website.