What should a driver ensure before responding to an emergency from the station?

The importance of ensuring that everyone is wearing their seatbelt before responding to an emergency cannot be overstated. Seatbelts are fundamental safety devices that significantly reduce the risk of injury to firefighters during emergency responses. When responding to a call, apparatus may accelerate rapidly and navigate through challenging environments, increasing the potential for accidents. By ensuring that all personnel are secured with seatbelts, the driver minimizes the risk of injury, thereby enhancing overall crew safety and effectiveness during the emergency response.

While checking equipment, confirming that routes are clear, and ensuring radios function properly are all critical safety and operational considerations, the immediate focus before departing should be on securing the safety of the crew. Having everyone secured can prevent serious injuries that might occur due to sudden stops, turns, or collisions, which can all occur when responding to an emergency.