Barry Carpenter -
Grapevine firefighter and paramedics Charles Howard and Allen Richards both have the latest technology at their fingertips.
Charles said they have on board computers, radios and more, but for him, it's hands off.
"I concentrate on the road, he operates the siren, I operate the Q2 and the horn and watch where I'm going and blinkers and that's that."
Allen said he makes certain of that.
"We actually turn the computer away from the driver so he doesn't get distracted so he can't look at it," Said Allen who adds the trip to and from an accident or fire can be dangerous.
"The driver doesn't talk on the phone when he's driving weather it's a call or not a call, he can't use the cell phone. If there is a cell phone in use, it has to come from this side," Said Allen.
DPS Trooper Lonny Haschell has been in law enforcement for 22 years, he says he started with a pen, notepad and map. Today, he said there's so much technology there's barely room for him.
"It is and if you'll noticed how low it is positioned in here, where I can still see my rear view mirrors, all three," Said Trooper Haschell.
Haschell said the new technology makes for quicker response times and all troopers go through three weeks of training to integrate the car with technology. Still, it can be a daily battle to stay focused.
"You are so tempted just to look at it, oh, there is nobody in front of me and answer that, we have the same temptation and we've got to make sure that it's appropriate that it's safe to do so and we don't end up crashing our car or hurting someone while we're responding to help," Said Trooper Haschell.
There is no data that tracks technology related emergency crashes and Haschell says he's not aware of any near misses. Back at the fire station Allen said if they don't arrive safely, they can't help.
"The only thing we want the driver to do is focus on driving and there there safe, and that's it."
Charles said they have on board computers, radios and more, but for him, it's hands off.
"I concentrate on the road, he operates the siren, I operate the Q2 and the horn and watch where I'm going and blinkers and that's that."
Allen said he makes certain of that.
"We actually turn the computer away from the driver so he doesn't get distracted so he can't look at it," Said Allen who adds the trip to and from an accident or fire can be dangerous.
"The driver doesn't talk on the phone when he's driving weather it's a call or not a call, he can't use the cell phone. If there is a cell phone in use, it has to come from this side," Said Allen.
DPS Trooper Lonny Haschell has been in law enforcement for 22 years, he says he started with a pen, notepad and map. Today, he said there's so much technology there's barely room for him.
"It is and if you'll noticed how low it is positioned in here, where I can still see my rear view mirrors, all three," Said Trooper Haschell.
Haschell said the new technology makes for quicker response times and all troopers go through three weeks of training to integrate the car with technology. Still, it can be a daily battle to stay focused.
"You are so tempted just to look at it, oh, there is nobody in front of me and answer that, we have the same temptation and we've got to make sure that it's appropriate that it's safe to do so and we don't end up crashing our car or hurting someone while we're responding to help," Said Trooper Haschell.
There is no data that tracks technology related emergency crashes and Haschell says he's not aware of any near misses. Back at the fire station Allen said if they don't arrive safely, they can't help.
"The only thing we want the driver to do is focus on driving and there there safe, and that's it."
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