When responding to an emergency with all lanes of traffic blocked in the same direction, what action should the apparatus driver take?

• A. Stop and wait for police to authorize passage.
• B. Turn around and back up the way you came.
• C. Accelerate to clear the intersection quickly.
• D. Move the apparatus into the opposing lane of traffic and proceed through the intersection at an extremely reduced rate of speed.

Answer: (D)

When you’re responding to an emergency and every lane in the same direction is blocked, the goal is to reach the scene as quickly as safely possible. The best approach is to use the opposing lane to bypass the blockage and move through the intersection, but only with extreme caution and at a very slow, controlled speed. This lets you don’t get bogged down or risk backing up into the blocked roadway, while giving you the space to maneuver around any oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Keep your lights and siren on to warn others, and proceed only if the opposing lane is clear and your path through the intersection can be made safely. If the opposing lane isn’t safe to use, follow your department’s procedures, but the option described optimizes speed to reach the scene without creating unnecessary hazards.