Which category accounts for 25% of EMS vehicle deaths?

• A. Occupants
• B. EMS Drivers
• C. Pedestrians
• D. Multi Vehicle Crashes

Answer: (C)

Pedestrians around emergency operations are a major risk, accounting for about one in four EMS crash fatalities. This highlights how people on foot are especially vulnerable when a responding unit is moving, backing, or entering traffic, and when drivers’ visibility is limited by lights, sirens, and the surrounding environment. The statistic emphasizes the importance of strict scene safety: use a lookout or spotter when backing or directing traffic, slow down and proceed with caution near crosswalks and intersections, yield to pedestrians, and wear high-visibility clothing so people can see responders. This focus on protecting pedestrians doesn’t diminish the risk to others, but it shows why training stresses careful driving near pedestrians and clear scene controls. While occupants, EMS drivers, and multi-vehicle crashes are also risks, the data specifically points to pedestrians as a sizable portion of fatalities.