‘Priority number 1 is safety’: After deaths, Doña Ana County firefighters urge motorists to pull over for flashing lights

DOÑA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico - After two Texas first responders died in a fatal crash in Lubbock, the Doña Ana County fire department is reminding New Mexico drivers to pull over if they see an emergency vehicle on their way to a call.

"We’re not going to do anybody any good if we’re unable to get to a call because we got in a collision due to somebody’s negligence or failure to move over," said Lt. Travis Simpon, with Doña Ana County Fire and Emergency Services Station #2 in Anthony.

His station operates a 25 to 30 ton fire truck, which on an emergency call, can travel at speeds up to 68 miles per hour.

“Priority number one is always safety," Lt. Simpson told ABC-7. "Safety of the public, those driving on the roads themselves, safety of me and my guys in the apparatus here. 

First responders ask drivers to pull over to the right shoulder of the road when they see flashing lights in their rear view mirror. If it's impossible to pull over, Lt. Simpson said a driver should stop, so the emergency vehicle can navigate around it.

“Each one of my guys understands that’s a risk in this job that we’re willing to take, and that’s one that we accept," Lt. Simpson said. "But we try to negate these risks as much as we can.”