The night sky near fire stations across the country will be pierced tonight by red strobe lights—not because of emergencies—rather an event designed to remember fallen firefighters in the U.S.
At Clark County Fire District 6 we will participate in the “Light The Night” annual tradition, pull out fire engines, turn on the lights, and honor our fallen brothers and sisters. The same thing will happen at various stations across Washington state and the nation.
You are invited to photograph/video the event, which will take place from 8 to 8:15 p.m. at our three stations:
Station 61: 8800 NE Hazel Dell Avenue, Vancouver, WA*
Station 62 : 11600 NW Lakeshore Avenue, Vancouver, WA
Station 63 : 1303 NE 136th Street, Vancouver, WA
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Last year, a total of 144 firefighters in the United States died while on the job—more than double the figure reported in 2019. Of those, 81 are believed to have died from line-of-duty COVID-19 exposures. An additional 63 on-duty firefighter deaths occurred from other causes.
As a result of the 2020 COVID-related deaths, the total number of on-duty firefighter deaths in the US in 2020 was higher than has been reported since the late 1970s. The only exception is 2001, when more than 300 firefighters died in the September 11 terrorist attacks.
*Most visual display
BELLEVUE, Wash. (Sept. 29, 2021) – In four separate collisions since December, two Washington tow truck technicians have been killed, one required a leg amputation and another received lower body injuries as a result of being hit while assisting a disabled motorist. These tragedies highlight the danger to individuals who regularly work along the shoulders of our busy and congested roads.
Raymond Mitchell, 33, died one week ago (September 22) while retrieving a disabled vehicle on I-5 near Kalama. He became pinned against the truck he drove for TLC Towing when the rear trailer of a passing logging truck swung into him. The Washington State Patrol (WSP) says speed was a factor in the crash, which took Mitchell from his wife and four children. Nearly five months earlier (April 24), the owner of Affordable Towing, Art Anderson and the parents of the motorist he was helping, died near Kelso also along I-5. According to the WSP, the driver who ran into the three people was impaired.
As of August of this year, at least 15 tow providers have died while performing roadside rescues in 2021.
"Deaths like these can be avoided if drivers slow down, move over and give these people room to work safely,” said Kelly Just, AAA Washington’s manager of traffic safety programs. "We can't stress enough the importance of paying attention so you have enough time to slow down and, if possible, change lanes when you see any emergency vehicle ahead of you on the road."
An average of 24 emergency responders including tow providers are struck and killed by vehicles while working at the roadside each year – meaning someone in this line of work is killed, on average, every other week.
To protect these individuals, AAA and other traffic safety advocates have led the way in getting Move Over laws passed in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Startling new data from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety finds that:
Earlier this year, AAA Washington (in partnership with Clark County Fire District 6 and Chappelle’s Towing, LLC.) released a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to remind the public of Washington’s Slow Down, Move Over law. TLC Towing was among the six private companies that helped create the video, along with WSDOT and WSP. When drivers approach the red flashing lights of first responders, tow trucks, municipal vehicles, utility vehicles and road maintenance crews, they must slow down to at least 10 miles per hour below the posted speed limit and, if safe to do so, move over one lane. Drivers who fail to do so face a $214 ticket that cannot be waived or reduced.
It's not just tow providers and other emergency responders being killed on the side of interstates, freeways, expressways and highways. From 2015 through 2019, more than 1,600 people have been struck and killed while outside of a disabled vehicle, 22 in Washington, 7 in Idaho. The reality is that drivers are increasingly distracted while driving. Previous AAA Foundation research has found that drivers are up to four times as likely to crash if they are talking on a cell phone while driving and up to eight times as likely to be in a crash if texting.
"If you see something, anything, on the shoulder ahead, slow down and move over,” said Just. “It could literally save someone’s life.”
To protect roadside workers, drivers with disabled vehicles, and others, and to improve highway safety, AAA offers these precautionary tips:
For more visuals and information on the dangers facing tow truck drivers and other roadway workers, visit AAA.com/SlowDown.
About the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: Established in 1947 by AAA, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety is a nonprofit, publicly funded, 501(c)(3) charitable research and educational organization. The AAA Foundation's mission is to prevent traffic deaths and injuries by researching their causes and by educating the public about strategies to prevent crashes and reduce injuries when they do occur. This research develops educational materials for drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, and other road users.
About AAA Washington:
AAA Washington has been serving members and the traveling public since 1904. The organization provides a variety of exclusive benefits, including roadside assistance, discounts, maps and personalized trip planning, to its 1.2 million members. In addition, its full-service travel and insurance agencies provide products and services for members and the public. Additional information is available through the company’s stores in Washington and northern Idaho, at www.AAA.com, or by calling 1-800-562-2582.
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AAA WASHINGTON MEDIA CONTACTS
Kelly Just | C: 425-647-1594
cook@aaawa.com">Jennifer Cook | C: 425-301-9075
Website: AAA.com
Twitter @AAA_Washington | FacebookAAA Washington