Department reminds drivers to avoid blocking the box

The Limerick Fire Department would like to remind drivers not to block the white box with the ‘X’ through it in front of the Limerick station at 390 W. Ridge Pike. The box indicates the driveway where responders turn into the station during emergency responses on Ridge Pike just east of the intersection with Swamp Pike.

When traffic gets backed up during rush hour, motorists often block the driveway to the station as well as the portion of the station where fire and EMS units depart to respond to calls. The department recently took to social media to ask for help from the public to get the word out about this problem. We found that many were unaware of the box or why it was there.

Drivers who stop inside the box may get stuck there for up to 45 seconds. While this may seem insignificant to the average person, a typical residential fire doubles or triples in size every minute. Causing the delay may not be intentional, but the delay of getting firefighters on the street could be the difference between life and death. The department could be assisting emergency medical services getting a patient to an acute care facility or possibly saving
the lives or properties of someone they know.

The department reminds motorists that keeping the box clear allows firefighters to enter the station in safe manner. Avoiding these delays will get them to emergency scenes faster which will improve life safety and decrease property loss to the community.