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Parent warns of blocked fire lanes at Southwestern Elementary after ambulance delay
Summary
A parent told the board that morning and afternoon carline congestion at Southwestern Elementary recently delayed an ambulance by about five minutes; he urged capital planning for a dedicated drop‑off/turnaround and better enforcement of fire lanes.
During public comment, parent James Juncker told the Suffolk City School Board he has observed increasing carline congestion at Southwestern Elementary and described a recent incident in which an ambulance took nearly five minutes to reach the front of the building because cars were parked in fire lanes and blocked the lot.
Juncker said parents begin lining up an hour before dismissal, which can block parking areas and egress to adjacent streets. He asked the board to consider a dedicated drop‑off/turnaround — similar to the configuration at Florence Bowser — and to include such a project in the district’s capital improvement planning so emergency vehicles can access the building without delay.
Nut graf: The speaker recounted watching staff and parents move vehicles out of the way while a staff member was loaded onto a gurney; he said the delay could have limited or delayed care. He recommended using the land between the parking lot and Pioneer Road to add a parallel dedicated car drop‑off/turnaround to keep parking spaces clear and preserve fire lanes.
Ending: The board acknowledged the concern and several members asked superintendent staff to follow up; at least one board member suggested coordination with city resources (traffic camera funds and public safety) as part of any solution.
