Michigan: Firefighter jumps out of way as vehicle plows into Grand Rapids fire engine

Being a firefighter is one of the most dangerous jobs around. There was plenty of proof this week in West Michigan. Police are trying to figure out how a driver missed all the flashing lights at an accident scene on the East Beltline Avenue near Burton Street SE just before 1 a.m. Friday. A Grand Rapids firefighter jumped out of the way and, as damage to the back of the fire engine show, not a moment too soon.

The damage on a Grand Rapids fire engine after being hit by a vehicle early Friday morning. (May 22, 2015) The back bumper was crushed. Roll up doors on the compartments holding rescue equipment will not open as the body of the truck was bent from the impact. “The reality is that in a few seconds somebody not paying attention can cover a lot of distance, and it’s too late,” said Grand Rapids Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Sehlmeyer.

GRFD, GRPD and an ambulance crew were working the original Friday morning crash. The fire department was using an engine as what is referred to as a blocker, part of a standard safety procedure in which at least one and usually two fire departments vehicle are used to block traffic several yards in front of a crash.