Columbus Fire and Rescue Magazine Volume 4 Numer 2 | Page 10

command staff FIRE LANES F Fire lanes are a safety regulation mandated by fire departments for ease of access in case of an emergency. They are generally identified by a sign and/or red markings, fire lanes are easily visible by drivers. Fire lanes are designated areas, usually in front of a building or structure, existing for the purpose of eliminating obstructions in case of an emergency. No parking is permitted in a fire lane at any time. Mississippi Code Section 63-3-913 states that no motor vehicle, except a vehicle responding to an emergency shall be parked in an area marked to give access to emergency vehicles. Unlawful parking or blocking access shall result in a penalty (fine) for each violation. The City of Columbus has many designated fire lanes in front of buildings and structures. Columbus Fire and Rescue has personnel designated to check fire lanes periodically during the day and night looking for motor vehicles parked in or obstructing the fire lane. The fine in the City of Columbus for parking in a 10 l COLUMBUS FIRE and RESCUE MAGAZINE l fire lane is $50.00. The fire officer will document the offense by taking a photo of the vehicle while it is still parked in the fire lane. The reason for documenting the offense is so that there is no disputing the offense in court. The next time you go shopping make it a habit of glancing at the fire lane, you will most assuredly find someone parked in a fire lane. Look at it like this, you could be inside that store needing emergency assistance and someone has blocked the access to the building for emergency vehicles by parking in the fire lane. by ASSISTANT CHIEF markWARD [email protected] Photo by Captain wesMIMS [phone]