🟦 CODE 3 CULTURE
An ambulance runs lights and sirens through a red light without slowing. Another car hits them.
What is failing to stop and confirm the intersection is clear?
Someone skips the morning rig check. On the first call, the engine dies in an intersection.
What is failing to ensure vehicle readiness?
A driver cuts into your lane trying to “help” you pass. You follow and crash.
What is never follow civilians into unsafe situations — they’re not trained?
They run a stop sign without checking. A witness reports them.
What is "reckless driving" — lights don’t excuse it?
In Portland, a Code 3 ambulance ran a red without stopping and got T-boned.
What is failure to stop and check the intersection?
You’re approaching a crosswalk Code 3. A pedestrian is still walking.
What is waiting until the crosswalk is fully clear before proceeding?
They know the brakes are bad, but they drive anyway. they crash into a stop sign.
What is knowingly operating an unsafe vehicle?
You assume a car will yield. It doesn’t. You T-bone them.
What is always expect some drivers won’t follow the law?
The medic driver tailgates a civilian to “encourage” them to move over. They brake-check.
What is aggressive driving is reckless — even during Code 3?
In Medford, a rig crashed after the crew ignored a brake warning.
What is unsafe operation with known mechanical issues?
Your partner assumes traffic will stop for your sirens and pulls into a busy intersection.
What is always confirm intersections are clear — don’t assume?
An unsecured oxygen tank falls and injures the patient when the driver hit the brakes.
What is failure to properly secure equipment during transport?
A civilian freezes in the road in front of you. You keep going and bump them.
What is you’re still responsible for stopping if needed?
They’re speeding in heavy rain and hydroplane off the road.
What is failure to adjust speed for conditions?
A patient was injured when a rig jerked forward and they weren’t secured.
What is unsafe ambulance operation during transport?
A driver waves you through an intersection. You enter and get hit by someone else.
What is you are responsible for checking if it’s actually safe?
They accelerate while their partner is loading gear in the back. The partner falls and gets hurt.
What is unsafe operation while crew is moving inside the rig?
You try to pass a vehicle that didn’t yield. You scrape their bumper.
What is unsafe passing during emergency operation?
A patient is in the back. You take a hard turn. They hit the side rails.
What is unsafe driving during patient care?
In Corvallis, a civilian hit a fire truck. They didn’t know what to do at the lights.
What is failure to yield — and the crew still needed due regard?
You try to squeeze between two lanes of traffic at full speed with lights on. You hit a mirror.
What is lights and sirens don’t excuse unsafe maneuvers?
The shift report says "low tire pressure — check before use." They don’t. The tire blows.
What is ignoring flagged maintenance issues still puts you at fault?
You lay on the air horn. A civilian panics, swerves, and hits another car.
What is you escalated the hazard instead of controlling it?
You forgot to put on your seatbelt. You hit the dash in a crash.
What is personal safety is still your responsibility?
A Washington County rig rolled during a swerve, even with lights on.
What is reckless driving still applies — lights don’t protect you from liability?