An incident that happened in Galati county sparked reactions at the national level and reignited discussions about priorities, procedures and institutional pride.
A crew of the Voluntary Service for Emergency Situations from Drăgușeni was sent by the dispatcher 112 to a fire that broke out in a household in the village of Căuiești. The vehicle, equipped with light and acoustic signals, was moving towards the intervention when it was stopped by a police crew that was, according to the statements, on its way to the same address.
The incident occurred on a narrow, sloping road. According to the volunteer firefighter behind the wheel, the police special vehicle overtook the emergency vehicle and stopped it for checks.
The truck driver was subsequently fined 3,000 lei and his license suspended for four months.
The Galati County Police Inspectorate reported that the measure was taken because “the driver would not have respected the light signals of the police special vehicle, respectively the obligation to stop or facilitate its passage, and would have mounted two devices with blue lights and a sound device, similar to those used by the Police, Gendarmerie or Ambulance, in the upper part of the vehicle, without having the legal right to use them”
The mayor of the commune asked the County Inspectorate for Emergency Situations for clarification.
Dumitru Vintilă, the mayor of Drăgușeni commune, Galați county: “They sent us a reply to the address that, during the journey, we are allowed to use the acoustic and light signals, if they are equipped with the car”.
The volunteer fire engine is equipped with such a system.
“Its destination, from the beginning, is a fire truck. It was brought from Germany. That’s what it was used for.”
Military firefighters say their colleagues, even if they are volunteers, have the same rights when they are on duty. And that they were sent to that case by their superiors.
Lt. Rebeca Popa, ISU Galati spokesperson: “The ISU Galati dispatcher redirected the call to the nearest crew, to the Voluntary Service for Emergency Situations in the town of Drăgușeni”
To laugh or cry for a state that should intervene, not compete?
Meanwhile, the fire in Căuiești was extinguished by the locals.
The case went to court, after the volunteer firefighter contested the sanction. The police officer involved is under disciplinary investigation.
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