Fire is unpredictable, and this is why, when approaching the scene of Firefighters handling an incident, drivers need to ensure they are slowing down, staying alert, and stopping when required.
Deputy Fire Chief Mike Wock with the Weyburn Fire Department said it's also important to follow the lead of those doing traffic control.
"They're just doing it for the safety of our members and the safety of the public," he noted. "Firefighters and equipment, we can be unpredictable [as to] where we have to go and what we have to do on the scene. Make sure you keep your phones put away while you're driving past the scene. Rubbernecking and taking pictures is not acceptable."
Wock said it's also important to give space for hoses and all of the gear required to fight a fire.
"There are lots of times that we run our hoses along the edge of the streets, or maybe even into the streets, and we'll have pylons [out], but definitely driving over them can cause us extra hazards for our members that are inside the structure working on a working fire."
Wock advises not driving through the scene, and not blocking intersections.
"Don't stop in the middle. Get through the intersection and just pull to the right. These are just a bunch of key things that will help things go a little smoother."
He said while it is tough to encounter a blocked-off road during a busy time of day for traffic, or when there is already road construction, patience is also key for safety.
"Just be patient. Take your time. We'll do our best to provide traffic control through those situations, but definitely avoid the area if at all possible or find an alternative route."
"At the end of the day, everything that the public does to help us helps us keep our crews safe when they're dealing with high-stress situations."