Cochrane Fire Services is reminding the public to slow down and give first responders room to work.

On October 21, a Cochrane Fire patrol vehicle was hit by a passerby while responding to a collision, and they later tweeted that this was the second incident of this kind.

Fire Inspector Jeff Avery says that luckily both were minor accidents and no one was hurt. 

Avery says that quite often when there is an emergency situation on the road, there are many first responders at the scene, and they need extra room to work.

"I know anytime we respond to an accident lots of times there's multiple agencies responding. It's an ambulance, a fire truck, it's police and sometimes we'll call tow trucks in," says Avery. "So, just be very cautious if you are going through an accident scene."

He says that unfortunately, these situations aren't uncommon and people need to be reminded to slow down and move over.

"Lots of times there's one lane, so if you do see an emergency vehicle of any type responding to a call pull over and let them pass," says Avery. "Slow down if you are going through an emergency scene and look for someone that is directing traffic and just obey every sign."

While first responders strive to keep people in the community safe, it's equally important for motorists to allow them to do their jobs safely and efficiently.

Avery says that although first responders are aware of their job risk on a day to day basis, there's added risk when they're pulled over on the road.

"The most dangerous situation for us is actually being on the highway or on the road and people driving by," says Avery. "It is reduced speed and most people are really, really good about it but all it takes is that one distraction of someone having to look to see what kind of accident it was or someone a little bit late going  - I got to get to work, I got to get here."

Avery says it's important to put into perspective that the person who's had that accident is having a "way worse day than you are."

He says that he can't stress the importance of the need for drivers to "slow down, be cautious and look at all your surroundings."