Let Them Through – It Could Be You …EMS Week

How You Can Help
You can do some simple things to help emergency personnel reach a person in need.

Use the letters S-I-R-E-N to remember the right way to yield to an emergency vehicle.
S Stay Alert
Drive defensively, keep the noise level down in your car and look for more than one emergency
vehicle approaching when you hear a siren.
I Investigate
Check you rear-view mirror; scan in front and on both sides of your vehicle, try to estimate the
closing speed of the emergency vehicle and plan your next move.
R React
React quickly, but calmly and scan in all directions before pulling over to the right. Always use
a turn signal when exiting a roadway and don’t slam on the brakes or pull over suddenly.
E Enter
Before re-entering the road, make a visual sweep in all directions, turn on your signal, and
gradually merge back into traffic.
N Never
Don’t stop at a place that doesn’t have enough room to pull over safely and never follow or try
to outrun an emergency vehicle.

At Intersections
Be alert for pedestrians who may be in the crosswalk or at the edge of the roadway. They
might be looking for the emergency vehicle too and not be aware of your efforts to yield properly.
On the highway
Always use your signal so that other drivers know how you intend to exit the road and look
for other cars that may have to move across lanes of traffic to yield. Pull as far off the highway,
to your right, as safely possible and gradually brake to avoid losing control in loose gravel
on the shoulder.
As Pedestrians
Always check for turning vehicles before you step into the street because drivers may not see
you. Be sure to stop at the curb, look left-rightleft before crossing the street, and keep looking
for vehicles. Do not cross in front of an emergency vehicle which may be stopped at a busy
intersection, wait for the vehicle to pass.
As Bicyclists
Always wear a helmet on every ride and equip your bicycle with reflectors on the front and rear.
Bicyclists must obey traffic laws that apply to motor vehicles. Ride single file and on the right
side of the road with traffic. When an emergency vehicle is approaching, pull as far to the right as
possible. Do not cross in front of an emergency vehicle which may be stopped at a busy intersection,
wait for the vehicle to pass.