READ MORE: Firefighter, 72, has leg amputated after being pinned at crash scene
Noble, who lives nearby, responded in his own car, Aller said. He had emergency lights on but they may have been blocked by the cars in the crash.
The firefighter’s injuries are a reminder of the danger that emergency personnel often face.
“Even when we’re on scene with lights on, with flares out, with cones out, we’re still at risk,” Aller said. “So it’s a very dangerous situation no matter if you’re a first responder or if you’re just trying to help.”
Devin A. Smith, 27, was driving the car that hit Noble. Investigators don’t suspect drugs or alcohol played a part in the crash, Aller said. They’re investigating if conditions or distraction might have caused the accident.
EARLIER REPORT: Latest serious firefighter injury a reminder that roadside is ‘a dangerous place to be’
Smith, “didn’t see the crash and could not see the emergency lights on the volunteer firefighter’s vehicles,” Aller said.
He also added the intersection is dark.
Accidents involving first responders are a big problem, said Doug Stern, spokesman for the Ohio Association of Professional Firefighters.
“It’s becoming an increased problem, additionally with distracted driving,” he said.
RELATED: Springfield examines officer, medic safety after Ohio police overdose
First responders should, “be hyper vigilant. Always wear your reflective gear,” Aller said.
Drivers should also look out for emergency personnel and slow down or move over if possible.
Springfield Twp. staff members have come together to support Noble, who remained in critical condition at Miami Valley Hospital as of Thursday evening.
“I know he’s a very active individual, very fit,” said Mike Hively, Springfield Twp. fiscal officer.
Noble has been a volunteer firefighter with the department for a year and a half, Hively said, and is a hard worker. He’s retired from the Air Force and a rescue diver.
DETAILS: Navy releases report on ship crashes that killed Ohio sailors, others
Hively called Noble’s wife, who’s also the township’s office manager, to see how he’s doing.
“We support them 100 percent,” Hively said. “We’re behind them.”
He’s concerned about firefighters when they respond to scenes, he said, because he knows the dangers they face.
“I worry about these guys,” he said.
An average of 10 law enforcement officers and four firefighters are killed in “struck-by incidents,” in the U.S. each year, according to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It’s estimated about 40 to 60 towing and recovery professionals are killed each year, the data shows.
“There’s nothing more harrowing than working on an auto accident, turning around and seeing a car come by you a foot away at a high rate of speed,” Stern said.
State law was changed after the 1998 double-fatal crash on I-675 that took the killed Centerville Police Officer John Kalaman and Firefighter Robert O’Toole.
Firefighter Charles Arnold also was seriously injured when the three men were standing in the median at a crash and a motorist lost control and struck them.
The families of those killed pushed for the change in Ohio law, resulting in the slow down/move over for emergency vehicles law.
Centerville Police spokesman John Davis said that since the tragedy, police have worked closely with the fire department to better control traffic flow at crash scenes. That often involves closing multiple lanes and positioning a fire engine ahead of the scene to give motorists warning.
“It’s a dangerous place to be. There’s so many distracted drivers, there’s so many people that they’re in a hurry they don’t seem to pay attention to what’s going on ahead of them,” Davis said. “That law is in place to protect the first responders. If you can’t get over, slow down substantially.”
In-depth coverage
The Springfield News-Sun digs into important public safety issues, including recent stories on Springfield police and fire division manning levels and how the drug crisis is affecting safety forces.
By the numbers
10: Law enforcement officers nationwide killed on average every year by “struck-by incidents” at crash scenes
4: Firefighters nationwide killed on average every year by “struck-by incidents” at crash scenes
40-60: Towing and recovery professionals nationwide killed on average every year by “struck-by incidents” at crash scenes
Source: U.S. Department of Transportation