Is it legal to help firefighters put out a fire if you are NOT a firefighter?

Question

For example, your are driving and come up on firefighters at a car wreck. They are fighting the fire. Can you help them out? Also if it is a rural area, you allowed to direct traffic around the fire engines?

Answer 1

it depends on the situation.  If you are putting your life in danger or are slowing down the fire fight they might ask you to leave.  If you don't they might have you arrested.

Answer 2

I don't think it's illegal, but in the situation you are asking about- I think you'd be better off just driving by, even in a rural area.

With something like that, there should be enough trained personnel, such as firefighters, police, EMTs, to handle the scene well enough.

For any other large incident like a structure fire, helping actually put water on the fire isn't going to happen - it simply isn't safe. However, we have people who bring out coolers of bottled water or other cold drinks for the firefighters working on the fire. We like that - and we appreciate it.

Anything related to firefighting is going to be handled by firefighters. It's nothing personal, but you should realize that everything you do outside affects the guys inside. So - they really can't trust just anyone to go about kicking hose and moving lines, you know?

For example, we had a good structure fire going and a Detroit firefighter was there, plain clothes. He didn't get to do anything because - it's our guys inside. And we have to be sure of what's going on with everyone involved.

Hope you get what I'm saying.

Answer 3

yes but you would just get in the way.

Answer 4

There is no law against it. However, the fire department would strongly discourage it.

Answer 5

It is legal to help but in the example you've given your help would most likely not be needed or wanted.  

There are a number of reasons for this.  At a most car fires,  it only takes just a few firefighters to get things under control.  It's a pretty simple operation but you need some training and more importantly  protective gear to fight a car fire.  

The same thing goes for directing traffic,  you would need some training and gear for that too.  Plus in both situations you would need to keep in mind your personal safety and liability should you cause further damage, injury or other loss.  

As a member of the media I've been to hundreds of incidents and have rarley seen citizens having to get involved other than refreshements or some other support like that.  I've only been called on to help at one scene in 8 years in this county, which is fairly rural.   That was to help get injured on stretchers  across a interstate barrier fence at a mass casualty accident that killed 4 and sent 14 to the hospital.  

On the other hand at a really big disaster your help could be used.  I was reading some fire reports from the last major earthquake in San Francisco and there were several references to employing willing citizens to assist due to a lack of manpower.  This appears to have been mostly securing water sources and laying supply lines under the direction of a firefighter.  If I'm not mistaken SFFD has put procedures for using spontanious volunteers  in their pre plan for dealing with future events of this size.  Other cities may have done the same.

Most volunteer public safety organizations are short handed and I'm sure would be interested in talking with you about joining  

Answer 6

Unless you are properly trained, there is a much better chance you will get in the way. Interfering with emergency services could get you arrested.

As far as directing traffic, not a good idea either. The motorists are under no legal obligation to obey you, and again... if you don't know what you are doing, you could cause more problems.

Answer 7

It may be legal but they probably will decline your offer for assistance.

Answer 8

Yes you can help them but no you can't direct traffic. Even normal officer's can't direct traffic they are specialy trained to do so.

Answer 9

they like the help in my country if they need it & you do it in a very safe way

ex country volunteer firefighter in Australia