Fire Department Policy Changes Sought

— The City Council will review proposed changes to the Fire Department’s standard operating guidelines that will impact how personnel use a traffic light preemption system.

The meeting will start at 6 p.m. today at the Community Development Building, 305 S.W. A St.

The city’s preemption system was in use when 17-year-old Megan Davis was struck by a school bus while crossing Southeast 14th Street on her way home from school Oct. 4. A Bentonville Police report concluded the preemption system did not play a role in the injury.

At A Glance

Also On The Agenda

Agenda items for tonight’s Bentonville City Council meeting:

• An animal services contract with the city of Rogers

• A bid for underground wire to Stuart Irby Company for $38,055

• Purchase by Public Works Maintenance of a truck from the Electric Department

• Contract with Morrison-Shipley Engineers for airport runway safety improvements

• Contract with McClelland Consulting Engineers for storm sewer and street improvements on Northwest Second Street

Source: City Of Bentonville

The system changes traffic lights to green for emergency vehicles as they approach an intersection.

The revised policy says the preemption system is to be “used primarily” on responses where an emergency vehicle is driving with its lights and sirens active. The ambulance that preempted the light at the intersection where Davis was injured did not have its lights or sirens on, according to the police report.

“Certain medical conditions during heavy traffic conditions may warrant its use on Code 1 calls, but not routinely,” the revised policy reads.

A vehicle traveling on “Code 1” does not have its lights or sirens active, according to the policy.

The revisions further state the preemption system should not take the place of sound defensive driving and common sense. Emergency vehicles should still be prepared to stop when approaching a controlled intersection until the light turns green, the policy states.

“Any operational or maintenance concerns which may arise should be reported immediately upon returning to your station via email to the fire chief or assistant fire chief,” the policy states.

Fire Chief Brent Boydston called the changes to the guidelines minor. Previous city policy allows patients to be transported without lights or sirens if the noise would worsen their condition.

The policy states vehicles are not authorized to ever drive with their emergency lights on but sirens off.

Other changes include guidelines for using the department’s training room. For-profit organizations will not be allowed to use the room unless they are taking a safety or other class offered through the fire department. City groups and nonprofit groups are allowed to use the room, according to the policy.

Also on the agenda is a budget adjustment recognizing a $220,000 contribution for the Bentonville Community Recreation Center from the Bentonville Advertising and Promotion Commission. The commission approved a $1 million contribution to the center in fall 2011, said David Wright, director of the Parks and Recreation Department.

The contribution will be paid over a three-year period, he said.

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