Why have fire zones?
04
November
11/04/2009:
While I personally think that “fire zones” in Hoboken (and anywhere else for that matter) aren’t necessarily for parking fire vehicles – but rather to make room to maneuver hoses, easy access to hydrants, etc. – one Hoboken411 reader thinks they’re just a waste of valuable parking spots… your call if you feel the same way.
Fire zones could be used for parking!
“I’m constantly seeing fire trucks and police cars block the entire street when responding to a call. Many times I’ve noticed firsthand that they have PLENTY of room to pull to the side but just don’t (as I’ve never in 9 years here seen them responding to an emergency… it’s always something that isn’t urgent like a false alarm). Here is a picture of a fire truck blocking southbound traffic on Grand St. on the corner of 3rd last week. Why do we have fire zones that could be used for resident parking if they are not used!!!??? In 9 years in Hoboken I know for a FACT that trucks block the roads and DO NOT use the fire zones.
This would be more acceptable to me if there were no fire zones and thus more resident parking if the trucks are just going to sit in the middle of the road!!!!”
November 4th 2009 - 10:56:13 |
Seriously? I’m sure when your home is on fire you’ll want the firefighters delayed while they try to navigate through parked cars to access the hydrant, pull equiptment and more.
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November 4th 2009 - 11:12:31 |
Maybe the fire truck is blocking the street because there’s someone already parked in the fire zone.
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November 4th 2009 - 11:14:10 |
This matter should be discussed with the Director of Public Safety and the Fire Chief. Fire Chief Phone: 201-420-2258…
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November 4th 2009 - 11:14:41 |
Correct me if I am wrong but fire zones in front of hydrants are not for the fire engine to park. They could never fit in there. I would guess the yellow stripes are there so the firemen can go any direction with hoses if there is an emergency, not through/over a car.
If they parked on the side during an emergency and had to cross the street with hoses would you drive past them? Over hoses?
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November 4th 2009 - 11:44:17 |
Image google “bmw fire hose”
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November 4th 2009 - 11:45:15 |
I doubt the reader was talking about the spot in front of fire hydrants – clearly those we need!
I think he meant other fire zones. You know like the one in front of an entire side of the street adjacent to a firehouse? Many were originally intended so that fire trucks could maneuver more easily and more quickly – but there are others that dumbfound me and were probably added for the wrong reasons. Or maybe they are there for the right reasons but you’ll often see ‘official’ vehicles parking there.
Fire Zones are NEVER to be occupied by unattended vehicles – even police cars. Even an unattended police vehicle could delay a firetruck by the 5-7 minutes it takes for a fire to spread and lives to be lost.
I’d prefer to see a private citizen sitting in a vehicle in a fire zone than a police car left unattended in that same fire zone.
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November 4th 2009 - 11:48:36 |
I agree, thought the fire zones were to free up access to hydrants, not for parking of fire vehicles.
I did see the aftermath of a fire dept (not in Hoboken) break through the windows of an SUV which was illegally parked in front of a hydrant.
Right through the driver’s window through to the passengers window went the hose.
To add insult to injurry, the car also got a ticket and a tow. Bummer.
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November 4th 2009 - 12:29:52 |
So this maroon thinks the fire trucks have enough room to pull over? So that what?? The traffic can continue on, zipping past firefighters as they are trying to get equipment off the truck? What is wrong with this person?
So in your 9 years you haven’t seen an emergency? In my almost 50 years here I’ve seen more than my share of REAL working fires in Hoboken. I don’t care where they choose to stop. I’m just thankful that they respond.
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November 4th 2009 - 12:42:09 |
the problem is that Taurus parked in a fire zone with the PA plates. If the truck parked behind it then the back of the truck would protrude into another street making it a bigger problem. Based on the trucks position and where the pump is, the truck is in the right for reasonable access to the hydrant. I’d rather have my home saved then not get somewhere in time. Whomever is the OP on this one has some serious thinking to do
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November 4th 2009 - 13:17:19 |
Oddly enough, if this fire call was Saturday, I think I was the second car behind the truck. Despite my dog barking at the group of people on the side of the road (I should’ve put my windows up), I don’t mind waiting for a fire truck. Meanwhile, the guy on the motorcycle shot by and squeezed past the truck as they answered the call, and the car in front of me eventually moved up and tried to pass on the right also.
Fire zones and fire trucks are an occasional “nuisance” that might cost you a few minutes going somewhere or trying to park. Meanwhile, if there’s a real fire in your place, you’d be the first to complain that they weren’t fast enough.
As someone stated before, fire zones are there to give the firefighters room to maneuver and do their job. You’re lucky they’re there, they could save a life at some point…and one life is worth years of parking “inconvenience”.
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November 4th 2009 - 13:27:01 |
Couldn’t have said it any better.
In response to TheGreenMan who said:
Fire zones and fire trucks are an occasional “nuisance” that might cost you a few minutes going somewhere or trying to park. Meanwhile, if there’s a real fire in your place, you’d be the first to complain that they weren’t fast enough.
As someone stated before, fire zones are there to give the firefighters room to maneuver and do their job. You’re lucky they’re there, they could save a life at some point…and one life is worth years of parking “inconvenience”.
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November 4th 2009 - 13:55:22 |
Hey idiot… Want to have your apartment burn down while the firefighters try to hook up to a hydrant that has a car blocking it?
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November 4th 2009 - 15:11:49 |
I actually agree with the post. I was walking on Saturday and saw this take place. From my perspective nobody’s home needed to be saved and there was no emergency. All the respondents who said “when your home is on fire” and “just glad they’ll come” ….well….there was no apparent fire at this incident and a number of firefighters were casually talking on the corner. Your comments are relevant for emergency situations. This was not one. Seems like a matter the context of the picture being unclear. OF COURSE if there is a serious incident they should do whatever is necessary…but as anyone who has lived here long enough knows, MOST of the calls are NOT emergencies and THUS DO NOT require quick parking by HFD. I think that was the point if I read correctly.
ps. one reason i think i agree is that i have friends in other fire departments who have told me they routinely block streets for non-emergencies because they CAN, not because it helps them do their job.
Also “shhhdonttell”…you called the person a color! lol
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November 4th 2009 - 16:03:53 |
The main comment I disagree with in this post is that these areas can be made into residental parking. If cars were parked all the way to the corner, it would be a lot harder for passing cars to see if a person is about to walk into the crosswalk. We all know that people think they have the right of way and just walk into the street without looking. I get extremely annoyed when I’m driving and almost hit someone because I didn’t see them due to cars blocking the view.
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November 4th 2009 - 19:59:19 |
When the FD responds to an alarm they don’t know if it is false or not. Therefore all calls are emergencies.
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