# Pulaski County fire chief warns bystanders blocking emergency scenes  
**Published:** 2026-04-23T05:11:21.000Z  
**Source:** [LEX 18 News](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/bystanders-blocking-pulaski-county-fire-scenes-cause-major-delays)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://feeds.lexingtonky.news/article/pulaski-county-fire-chief-warns-bystanders-blocking-emergency-scenes

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Eubank Volunteer Fire Department is sounding the alarm over a persistent problem that has worsened in recent years: bystanders with cameras and curiosity blocking active fire scenes and delaying emergency response, according to [LEX 18 News](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/bystanders-blocking-pulaski-county-fire-scenes-cause-major-delays).

Fire Chief Norman Rutherford said the issue has created dangerous delays in life-and-death situations. The department typically deploys 12 to 14 vehicles to fire scenes, but narrow rural roads in Pulaski County already complicate response efforts.

"You don't want to be the cause of somebody getting burned up in a fire," Rutherford told the news station. Drivers often fail to move aside for fire trucks even when sirens are blaring and emergency lights flashing. "They're driving four or five miles an hour right past the same place you're going," he said, describing some motorists who slowly pull over while others ignore emergency vehicles entirely.

The delays have caused tangible damage. A tanker truck swerved off a narrow road and became stuck in a ditch while responding to a fire, leaving the vehicle out of commission for the duration of the emergency. The department has experienced multiple vehicle accidents related to the obstruction problem.

Rutherford said the obstructing vehicles often belong to the same people repeatedly, suggesting a pattern of behavior rather than isolated incidents. The problem has become serious enough that the Eubank Volunteer Fire Department took to [social media](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ax7Py42FY/?mibextid=wwXIfr) to address it publicly.

The fire chief made clear the department will use its authority to clear roads if necessary. "If they're blocking us, we have the right to take the fire truck and push their vehicle out of the way," Rutherford stated.

Rather than escalate enforcement, Rutherford extended an invitation to those regularly obstructing scenes. "Come up here and fill out an application, join us and get up at 2 o'clock," he said, encouraging would-be gawkers to experience firsthand the training hours and demands volunteers undertake to serve their community.

## Sources

- [LEX 18 News](https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/bystanders-blocking-pulaski-county-fire-scenes-cause-major-delays)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from LEX 18 News. The original source is available at https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/bystanders-blocking-pulaski-county-fire-scenes-cause-major-delays.