Earlier this year in a Minnesota community, a collision between an ambulance and a SUV left a civilian dead and two medics hurt.
Now, area fire officials have made a major change to response policies.
Coon Rapids Chief John Piper told KSTP reporters that few of the 5,0000 annual responses are actual emergencies.
That's why Coon Rapids, Plymouth, Centennial, Andover, Blaine, Spring Lake Park and Mounds View fire departments and Allina ambulance have revised the way they do business.
When there are no reports of smoke, flames or odor, one truck instead of two will respond, the station reported.
The Department of Public Safety says there were 650 collisions with emergency vehicles in Minnesota last year, another 454 so far this year.
"We want to serve the public and serve the public well, but on the other hand our response should not jeopardize the driving public or our first responders," the chief added.
