KMPH Fox 26 Central San Joaquin Valley News Source in Fresno, California Entertainment, News, Sports and Weather | Not Yielding To Fire Trucks, Ambulances Will Cost You

Not Yielding To Fire Trucks, Ambulances Will Cost You

By: Norma Yuriar and Caryn Kochergen

We all know the rule, right?

If you see or hear an ambulance or fire truck with its red lights and sirens on, yield to the right.

But, unfortunately not everyone in the Valley is following that rule.

On Friday, Fresno City Fire and Fresno Police announced they are joining forces, to crack down on drivers who do not yield.

The campaign is called "When Every Second Counts" and it comes with a $340 fine.  "It isn't the $340 that is costly," said Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer, "what is costly is the potential life that may be in danger."

Within the past 10 days, officers say they've cited more than a dozen drivers for following too close or failing to pull over to the right.

Fresno Fire Chief Randy Bruegman said "It's often amazing when we are responding to an emergency and we hear a call of a baby not breathing or cardiac arrest or someone in distress and we can't get people to pull over."

Chief Bruegman along with Chief Dyer announced that starting immediately traffic officers will also answer emergency calls along with American Ambulance and Fresno Fire.

"The purpose is for these officers to trail fire fighters and ambulance to these calls," said Chief Dyer "their role is look for vehicles who are creating a dangerous situation for emergency personnel."

Traffic officers will be assigned to the top ten fire and ambulance locations in Fresno where emergency personnel are reporting the most traffic violators.

 "Hopefully now with police backing us up, people will be more aware and it will be safer for everybody," said Fresno City Fire Engineer R.J Perez.