Thanks to Newport Parish Council for send this in to VB. We’d be happy to receive articles and press releases from other Island parish councils as well – Ed
Newport Parish Council has been approached by a number of residents concerned about the seemingly unnecessary use of sirens, particularly at weekends.
Although the parish council did not wish to make any criticism of the excellent work carried out by the emergency services, it was felt this needed further investigation. Cllr Craven, as lead Member, arranged a meeting with Chris Smith Head of Ambulance and Dean Haward, Station Manager, Fire and Rescue. Kevin Fripp Head of the Police Driving Standards was unable to attend but supplied his guidelines.
Attendance within eight minutes
The outcome of the meeting was reported to Newport PC on 8th March. Cllr Craven said ‘This was a very productive meeting with a number of issues discussed. We appreciate that the Ambulance Service has to attend a call out within 8 minutes and this could result in two sets of sirens being deployed. This is due to rapid response cars being used initially, with the backup of an ambulance if required. As the ambulance service is now centralised, this could cause additional traffic travelling through Newport’.
Carisbrooke High Street roundabout: low visibility
Carisbrooke High Street has been singled out by some as a problem area. Mr Chris Smith, Head of Ambulance said ‘For many incidents, both the Fire and Rescue Service and Ambulance Service may have more than one vehicle despatched from Newport area travelling up Carisbrooke High Street. One of the problems is that the roundabout at the top of Carisbrooke High Street is difficult for drivers to see each other until they are almost on top of the roundabout, hence the need for sirens to be used on the approach to this junction’.
All the services agreed that the use of sirens is at the driver’s discretion; however the drivers are not above the law and can still be prosecuted if an incident occurs with a member of the public – either a pedestrian or another road user. Therefore, there is a need to make the public aware of their presence to protect both parties.
Sirens discretionary after 11:30pm
Dean Haward added that it was Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service Driving Policy that discretion is exercised in the use of audible warning devices between the hours of 2330 and 0700 hrs. Particular care is exercised in close proximity to pedestrians in a busy high street or shopping complex, hospitals, elderly person’s homes, places of worship and other areas of public assembly, animals on the roadway and when driving through underpasses/tunnels.
Cllr Craven told the parish council that both the Ambulance and Fire and Rescue Service would be happy to discuss problems with individuals or groups and are keen to continue dialogue with the council.
Image: Police_Mad_Liam under CC BY 2.0
