Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with not less than l lighted flashing, rotating, or oscillating lamp exhibiting a red or blue light visible under normal atmospheric condition from a distance of 500 feet to the front of the vehicle and when the driver is giving audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell: The driver of another vehicle shall yield the right of way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to and as close as possible to the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway, clear of an intersection, and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.
At the time of prior and the months after Gary Brown was the Woodward County Disaster Director. Gary Brown had put together one of the most comprehensive Inter-Agency Disaster Protocol system in the United States. Despite enduring the criticism of many agencies including fire services personnel who claimed “He’s on a power trip.”
In addition to the professional criticism his disaster drills were mocked by local media.
Then in July 1989 United Flight 232 a DC 10 carrying “296 soles on board,” from Denver to Chicago suffered catastrophic system failure loosing all three hydraulic systems the decision was made by Captain Al Haynes along with Federal air Traffic controllers to land at the Sioux Gateway Airport .
Sioux air traffic controllers, FAA employees notified the Woodward County Disaster office of Flight 232’s situation. Gary Brown activated the tri-state emergency disaster protocol system as units began to respond they were notified to stage at the airport.
As EMS, Fire, Mutual Aid agencies and Guardsmen staged at airport’s gate. Both local and State Police staged throughout the area to handle traffic if necessary. With the plan activated and unites were on scene and committed if needed. As Brown monitored traffic between the tower and Flight 232. As the large and fully loaded passenger plane was visible, all indications were that Flight 232 was going to successfully make a safe emergency landing. That was not to be as the plane touched down its wing dipped causing the plane to cartwheel down the runway in a ball of flames.
As the plane tumbled down the runway the Airports Crash Fire Rescue Fire rolled out to fight the fire. Brown moved out to the runway it became evident following the crash that passengers had survived. A triage area was opened up immediately with precision patients were triaged rapidly as Fire crews quickly fought the fire made of jet fuel and burning fuselage. Victims were transported by Helicopter, Ambulance and buses for those with minor to no injuries. 184 passengers were rescued and evacuated to area hospitals, 112 passengers perished. Had it not been for the rapid mobilization of resources the number of passengers killed would have indeed been much higher.
The rescue response in Sioux City received international attention and is regarded today as one of the most outstanding and cooperative responses in the history of U.S. Airline crashes. Gary Brown would be and is needed to head up the need for EMS and Paramedic Representation in a newly formed office for Homeland Security.
