Well Done by MPFD. Once they found the rider and declared him 10-55 (dead) it was apparent to me that any response would not have resolved the death - it was a matter of the injuries.

Interesting video. I think anyone who drives around these parts in the morning or afternoon appreciates the challenges. Too many cars.

I consider the people who come to me with a problem more valuable when they also suggest a solution. That's what's missing for me.

Another station near the bridge?
Motorcycles to cut through traffic?
Removal of center medians in congested areas, designating the space for fire trucks?

Those are a few possibilities. Menlo Park can't be the first city to deal with this issue. What are the best practices? How did the other places solve this problem??

Motorcycles seem the best response to this problem. Paramedics on bikes can get to someone quickly by cutting through traffic. They can stabilize a victim or at the least start working on them long before a fire engine or ambulance can arrive. Valuable minutes in these situations.

It reminds me of when they first started introducing Paramedics back in the day so that highly trained individuals could get to victims earlier than they could back then. Back then ambulance attendants had minimal training beyond loading someone up and running code 3 to an ER.

It was a huge leap forward back then. Now, virtually every ambulance and fire apparatus has a Paramedic on board. Not to mention radio communication to a medical doctor. It's time for more forward thinking. Paramedics on motorcycles is it. Traffic is not going to improve.

The video was well done and demonstrates the problems encountered by emergency vehicles. In a previous story/comment, motorcycles for para-medics were discussed. A Fire Commission Director, Peter Carpenter said he would personally donate the cost of one. Is this being worked on? Certainly worth looking into.

"Menlo Park can't be the first city to deal with this issue. What are the best practices?"

The best practice would be to restore Willow Road to a configuration that permitted vehicles to move to the side to allow passage of emergency vehicles. The current configuration, reduced from the former 4 lane configuration, has bulb outs and parking that preclude vehicles from moving aside. Simply stupid.

Providing four vehicle lanes for traffic won't allow emergency vehicles to move any faster during rush hour. The city should remove those bulb outs and stripe Willow (between Middlefield and 101) with generous buffered bike lanes. so that emergency vehicles have unfettered access.

Two Things
1. Per Steve C - Peter - did you say you would donate one - if so, when?
2. Do those opposed to lane splitting agree that lane splitting can be useful in an emergency. It really does no good if they chant yes, but say no....
Looking forward to the solution and it sounds like we are close

Peter Carpenter
a resident of Atherton: Lindenwood
on Sep 25, 2015 at 10:29 am
Peter Carpenter is a registered user.
P.S. If MPFPD decides to implement a Motor Medic program I will personally donate the first motorcycle.

Why is Chief Schapelhouman always speaking for the Fire Board, instead of the Virginia Kiraly who is the Board's President? [part removed.]

Motor Medic seconded. I would hope the budget increase in November's ballet will more than pay for it.....

Candice:

the Chief doesn't speak for the board, he speaks for the Fire Department. [part removed.]

[post removed. refers to remark that was removed.]

Fire District Board Policy:

"5.10 Board and District Public Communication
The Fire Chief, or his designee, is the spokesperson for the District when dealing with the media."