The fire district is reminding motorists to use caution after one of their firefighters was seriously injured recently when a car struck a fire department vehicle in Barrington Hills.
The Barrington-Countryside Fire Protection District posted a public service announcement Saturday about the dangers first responders face.
The district said there are several dangerous aspects, including driving emergency vehicles and working an emergency scene such as a car crash.
“First responders are trained thoroughly on how to operate and drive during an emergency situation, but do you know what you’re supposed to do when approached by an emergency vehicle using visual and audible signals?” the fire district said.
When approaching a stationary emergency vehicle using visual signals, Illinois law requires motorists to yield, change to a lane away from the emergency workers when possible and proceed with caution.
If a lane change is not possible, reduce speed and proceed with caution.
Motorists driving past or around an emergency scene may not use their cell phones at any time, the fire district said.
When being approached by an emergency vehicle using audible and lights or sirens, Illinois law requires motorists to immediately pull to the right side of the road and allow the emergency vehicle to pass.
A complete stop may be necessary to allow the emergency vehicle to pass. If stopped at an intersection with two-way traffic, motorists are urged to not proceed until the emergency vehicle passes through the intersection.
The fire district said one of their own firefighters was recently involved in a crash while responding to a call.
“The department will not be releasing specific information, but as you can see when motorists do not obey the law, the consequences can be harmful,” the district said while sharing a photo of a heavily damaged fire department vehicle.
The incident happened around 8:45 a.m. on January 20 on Algonquin Road east of Old Sutton Road in Barrington Hills.
Barrington Hills Police Department Press Information Officer William Walsh said at the time that a Honda CR-V was traveling eastbound on Algonquin Road, also known as Route 62.
The Honda crossed the center line and crashed into a Barrington-Countryside Fire Protection District Ford Expedition, Walsh said.
The Ford was traveling westbound on Algonquin Road responding to an emergency call.
The emergency lights and siren on the fire department vehicle were activated at the time of the crash, Walsh said.
Ambulances from the Carpentersville and East Dundee fire departments responded to the scene.
The driver of the fire department vehicle, a battalion chief and sole occupant of his vehicle, was transported to Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.
Walsh said the fire department member suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Barrington-Countryside Fire Chief Scott Motisi said the battalion chief was released from the hospital following a lower leg injury diagnosis.
He underwent further treatment and physical therapy for his injuries, Motisi said.
The occupants of the Honda were transported to Ascension Saint Alexius in Hoffman Estates with non-life-threatening injuries and later released.