What happens when you get into a crash en-route or returning from the call?

• A. The emergency efforts to the original scene are delayed, and you create a new scene
• B. It accelerates the response
• C. It has no effect on the original scene
• D. It improves coordination

Answer: (A)

If you crash en-route or while returning from a call, you create a second incident and your response to the original scene is delayed. The crash ties up responders, damages equipment, may injure crew, and blocks or slows routes. Police, towing, and additional units must respond to the new scene and manage hazards, which diverts resources away from the original emergency. This also requires establishing incident command for the crash and coordinating safety for everyone involved. So the route to the original call is hindered, not improved, and the new crash scene adds its own set of challenges.