Saturday, October 20, 2007

Red Alert

Make Way For The Fire Chief

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


Have you ever wondered why emergency vehicles have the words "Fire", "Ambulance", "Police" or "Rescue" laterally inverted? It's so that when they are driving behind us, we see the word displayed correctly in our rear-vision mirrors. I guess that is a good way to illustrate today's theme, which is "Practical". And if any of my readers happen to know which emergency service worker thought of this brilliant idea, do let me know.

34 comments:

-tnchick- said...

I knew that but not sure who came up with it. =) Great choice!

Corey~living and loving said...

I did know that too, but....who ever came up with it...BRILLANT!

good choice. Mine will be up soon....not sure you are up for it though....we'll see! tee hee

Anonymous said...

Great shot. Isn't that just genius. Very clever take!

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

I feel really, really unobservant suddenly!

Craver Vii said...

"Photo Hunter." You know, I've never gone hunting, but it would be cool to employ similar tactics and attempt to get close and shoot something with my Yashika.

I have to laugh at the backwards writing. The big red truck with a telescoping ladder, lights flashing, siren blaring... wouldn't that be a good clue? Nope: "Hold on, Aunt Matilda, it looks like something is written on the front of that vehicle... now if I could only get close enough to read it..."

Linda said...

I'm not sure who thought of it either but as an ambulance dispatcher (former police dispatcher) I can tell you that, sadly, it doesn't help a lot of times. You would be totally amazed at how many people refuse to get out of the way a vehicle that has come up behind you with lights flashing and siren blaring who still refuse to get the heck out of the way! Sad - but true!

Mike's Travels said...

Funny to see 'Saturday' on your post. Still Friday eve here!

Cynthia said...

Isn't that clever...I never would have guessed that!

Mansi said...

nice one! there was a time when I wouldn't have known this, but luckily that time was years ago:)

I tried my hand with some pictures of Egg this week...posted on my blog today..lemme know what you feel about the pics!:)

Anonymous said...

what a great choice for today. Great shot!

Anonymous said...

Nice shot and very practical...

jams o donnell said...

Great photo. I wonder if it works. Me I find the big vehicle wiith "blues and twos" going makes me get out of teh way! Happy weekend

Momgen said...

Good choice of our theme! mine is up too http://happymomiam.blogspot.com/2007/10/photo-hunters-practical.html

Michele said...

Hmmm... I knew this as well but don't know who had come up with this idea. Great post!
The Rocky Mountain Retreat

Anonymous said...

I have always thought that very practical.

Susan said...

Great shot. I love this take on the theme. I thought it was only ambulance that is backward here.

:-) Susan

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Smalltown RN said...

great photo...I agree with Linda...even tho Fire, ambulance have it printed this way...people still dont'get out of the way....I just don't get it...I think some people just panick....I know as soon as I hear the sierns I start looking for the flashing lights and pull over to the curb lane...and then curb if need be....happy weekend....

Rosie said...

Recently they changed the noise sirens make over here so that more people hear the emergency services approaching. Again, practical.

Queen of My Domain said...

I think you can find all kinds of practical things on emergency vehicles. I even posted one for my hunt this week. Happy Weekend.

Anonymous said...

My family has always noticed this - infact we now even use the word "ecnalubma" in everyday converstion - much to the confusion of other people :)

Anonymous said...

that's really practical one, thanks for sharing it.happy weekend!

Anonymous said...

great take on this weekend theme.happy hunting!

Mommy Lutchi said...

great explanations.......now I knew why.

Mine is up at My 2Cents Worth and The 4Seasons Of My Life Hope you can all visit me.

happy Photo Hunting !!!

Anonymous said...

What an excellent post. very informative and interesting. sara from farmingfriends

Mark said...

I bet you wont be doing what i will be doing to day.

Cheers Mark

Anonymous said...

I never knew that. Thanks for the info!

SnoopyTheGoon said...

I never thought of this, wandering what the heck it is all about. Thanks for the tip. Cool shot.

Anonymous said...

Pretty clever, to say the least,.. but,... if something big and red was behind you, wouldn't you know to get out of the way? Same with police and ambulances,.. they usually have their colorful lights flashing. Yet still,... some people do not see them I guess. Great photo and have a good weekend.

Journo June aka MamaBear said...

Great photo of something practical. I'm stunned at how many people did NOT already know that.
Photo Hunters

Siani said...

A great interpretation of this week's theme. Sadly, all too often I see roadhogs who ignore the presence of an emergency service vehicle. Have a great weekend!

Chari said...

That's dumb to me. If I see the lights and hear the siren, I move. I'm not trying to read a sign. But thats just me I guess.

FHB said...

No clue man, but it's brilliant.

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