EMERGENCY traffic routes for Fire and EMSA

If you're frustrated with all our road construction, imagine trying to race to a house fire or to the aid of a heart attack victim. Tulsa Fire, Police and EMSA units get caught in traffic tie-ups,

Saturday, August 18th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

If you're frustrated with all our road construction, imagine trying to race to a house fire or to the aid of a heart attack victim. Tulsa Fire, Police and EMSA units get caught in traffic tie-ups, too. But they try to map out alternate routes through neighborhoods that keep them moving.

At the fire department, road closings and construction areas are noted on station blackboards, and each truck carries a map that displays alternate routes, which have been mapped out by company officers. Tulsa Fire assistant chief Steve Ridener: "They typically go down and look at that area, identify visually the alternative routes."

The Public Works department always has to provide access to neighborhoods for the fire department, even if they're closed off by construction work.