The police department here in San Antonio utilizes the fire department to block off traffic with a fire engine. while I respect the intent of an operator blocking off a scene to assist, I believe that if the truck does not belong to you personally, you need to collaborate with the units owner before you put the equipment in harms way. I would like to see this industry detail the parameters of when it is allowable for an operator to say, "No, I am not working that incident because it is unsafe." Many years ago, I was dispatched to a rotation call for a single vehicle crash. 3am, white Chevy Blazer impacted a power pole, driver fled, downed wire on the ground, no buzzing, just a downed wire, could have been a phone wire for all I knew. Police officer directed me to move the Blazer and clear the scene. I asked if power company had made scene. Officer stated not to his knowledge. I asked if they, power company, were called to respond, officer stated that they were aware of a downed wire. I informed the officer that I would not go near car or wire until I personally spoke to power company representative who would be giving me the authorization to proceed. Officer responded in a hostile manner, directing me to move the casualty. Officer was a FTO, field training officer. I told the officer that if he wanted me to move the blazer, he would have to go pee on the downed wire. I told him if he lit up, I would not move the Blazer, but that if he did not light up, I would be happy to move the Blazer. Officer declined the Line Pee Challenge. Lineman for power company arrived about twenty minutes later. When he, lineman, was informed of the line pee challenge, he informed the officer it was a good idea he did not do it, because it was a live line.
People in this industry, new, old, tenured, and greenhorn, need an open discussion on when to say when. And it needs to be a serious discussion of when it is acceptable to say, F this, my life is worth more than 27% of this ticket. If PD will not come give me a protected lane, I will not do it.