# Apology Issued After Delivery Driver Blocks Fire Station Emergency Route

Key Highlights :

1. A delivery company has apologised after one of its drivers parked in front of a fire station to make a delivery.

2. The village fire station, on the high street, posted pictures on its social media pages, calling the act "unbelievable" after the driver stopped to make a delivery.

3. But group manager for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service Mark Havell said parking like this could cost lives. He said: "When responding to an emergency, every second counts and inconsiderate parking can impact the time it takes for us to attend the scene of an emergency."

4. Drivers should: Park close to the curb Park straight with wheels straight Fold in wing mirrors In narrow streets only park on one side of the road Obey the Highway Code and road markings Only park in areas available to the public Do not park too close to corners or traffic calming measures Leave extra room at tight junctions Ask yourself – ‘Could I get through this space?’. If not, a fire engine probably couldn't either.

     Delivery company DPD has issued a heartfelt apology after one of its drivers blocked the emergency route out of a fire station in West Sussex. On Wednesday, pictures emerged of a delivery van parked outside the vehicle doors at Partridge Green Fire Station, near Henfield, prompting an outcry from the village fire station.

     The incident sparked a warning from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, urging drivers to “think carefully” before parking in front of a fire station. Group manager for West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, Mark Havell, said parking like this could cost lives.

     “When responding to an emergency, every second counts and inconsiderate parking can impact the time it takes for us to attend the scene of an emergency,” Havell said. “Some of our fire engines are around one-and-a-half widths of a standard car, and this can make it difficult to manoeuvre around vehicles that have been carelessly parked.”

     The Emergency Workers (Obstruction) Act 2006 makes it an offence to obstruct an emergency worker responding to an incident, with the potential for an unlimited fine. In response to the incident, a spokesman for DPD said the investigation into the matter was undertaken “as a matter of urgency.”

     “We understand the driver parked there very briefly to make a nearby delivery. This is completely unacceptable and we would like to apologise wholeheartedly to the West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service,” the spokesman said.

     The lifesaving service has shared some tips for parking with fire engines in mind, including parking close to the curb, parking straight with wheels straight, folding in wing mirrors, and only parking in areas available to the public. Drivers should also ask themselves if they could get through the space, as a fire engine probably couldn’t.

     The incident serves as a reminder to drivers to be mindful of the parking spaces they choose and to always consider the safety of emergency workers. By following the tips provided by West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, drivers can help ensure that emergency services can respond quickly and safely to any incidents.

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