A vehicle extrication demonstration was a part of Tuesday's event at Prince Albert Salvage. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Public safety

Prince Albert event promotes first responder safety

Jun 7, 2023 | 12:00 PM

The importance of slowing down to 60 km/h, when passing a first responder at work on the road, was the focus of a special event Tuesday night.

The event was hosted by SGI’s Salvage Centre and Gateway North Towing. SGI spokesperson Michaela Solomon said their most recent date from 2021 shows 53 crashes involving first responder vehicles.

“That’s EMS, police and fire and nine of those resulted in someone being injured. We at SGI just believe all these collisions can be prevented with the proper care and attention,” she said.

Several demonstrations and activities were offered, including a vehicle extrication demonstration; an airbag deployment exercise; and a rollover simulation. Solomon noted different types of messaging are required to help reach a wider audience.

“For one person it might be coming here today and seeing these demonstrations. That might cause them to stop and think,” she explained. “For another person it might just be talking to someone who is a first responder and hearing about the fact they have a family, they have kids and friends that they want to go home to at the end of the night.”

Court proceedings

Accessory in Prince Albert murder case receives thank you from victim's family

8h ago

Found urn

P.A. Police searching for owner of found urn

Oct 11, 2024

A long time coming

Max Clunie Field, Harry Jerome Track re-open with ceremony following lengthy renovations

Oct 11, 2024

Solomon noted the base fine for failing to slow to 60 km/h when passing a first responder at work is $170 and increases depending on how fast the person is travelling.

Cindy Sand with Gateway North Towing explained incidents involving people speeding past their drivers are all too common.

“When our tow operators are underneath a vehicle, trying to change a tire, or trying to get them off the road safely, we can’t watch the traffic coming towards us,” she explained.

Alex Paul, deputy chief of the Prince Albert Fire Department, also confirmed similar bad experiences with his own staff.

“Within the last week we had a fairly close call with one of our members putting out pylons and a vehicle went speeding through,” he said.

Paul added at the end of the day, everyone just wants wants to be able to go home safe, and so if people can just remember to slow down, it would help improve the safety of the situation.

“We have to be aware our surroundings and we have to be aware of the traffic out there but if they are doing their part and slowing down, then at least when they slow down to 60, they are a bit more attentive and we can tell they are aware there is an accident scene,” he said.

Members of the Prince Albert Fire Department demonstrate how the Jaws of Life are used. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

A member of the Prince Albert Fire Department cuts away the windshield. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

Boni Ehmann, manager of the salvage yard, was proud to host the event, adding first responders are so important to everybody on the roads and highways.

“We just need to slow down, move over, take our time, be aware people working on the side, have families to go home to as well,” she said.

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

(Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell