Fireman Runs to Safety as Truck Hit While Responding to a Fire

An inattentive driver struck a fire truck on July 4 in Carmine. Carmine firefighters were putting out a 18-wheeler fire on US 290 when the wreck occurred.

The wreck happened around 1:47 p.m. near the intersection of US 290 and Vogel Lane on the west side of Carmine. Carmine Volunteer Fire Department had earlier responded to an 18-wheeler that caught fire on US 290. Firefighters were almost finished putting out the fire when a car crashed into the rear of a parked fire truck.

Carmine Fire Chief Chris Carmean said he was driving to the fire when his assistant chief called and told him about the wreck.

Carmean said firefighters placed cones around the scene and activated flashing lights on the fire trucks before the crash happened.

“Luckily, one of our firefighters saw the car coming and took off running to get out of the way,” Carmean said.

Other firefighter were working on the protected side of the truck when the crash occured.

The rescue truck was the department’s primary unit for responding to wrecks. It contained the “Jaws of Life’’ tools and other equipment used in vehicle crashes and rescue operations. The impact crushed the driver side rear corner of the rescue bed. Carmean said a representative from the manufacturer inspected the damage and determined the bed would have to be replaced. Carmean said he did not yet know the cost, but he gave an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000. It may take three to six months for a new bed to be installed, Carmean said.

In the meantime, the department transferred tools and equipment to other fire trucks. He said the loss will put his small department in a bind, especially with the busy summer travel season underway on US 290.

The driver of the car and two passengers got out of the car on their own. No one required medical treatment at the scene. However, Carmean said the firefighter who fled the crash fell down while running. That firefighter developed muscle spasms later in the day and had to go to the hospital for treatment, Carmean said.

“The truck did its job,” Carmean said. “I always preach to the guys about parking at an angle. If the truck wasn’t parked the way it was, the other car would have wiped out a couple of firemen. I’d rather have to work on a truck than go to a funeral.”