I really hate this post-truth timeline. The lying is so blatant, and so everywhere.

[cadoman]

20. the OR fire chief's response wasn't helpful, unfortunately

Again, the issue is why the detour? That's what people care about.

Explain why and/or fix it, but don't pretend there's some grand battle against misinformation when the misinformation isn't relevant. Where they were stopped isn't relevant. What they were stopped for isn't relevant. What's relevant is the simple fact that they were stopped during an emergency.

I'll pose the question again because it's demonstrative of how most of the general public interprets this information through an apolitical lens:

If your friend was drowning and there was a safety ring nearby, would you grab it and throw it--or safety check it first?

Also try:

If you had a kitchen fire, would you safety check the fire extinguisher before you used it? Would you not use the fire extinguisher at all if it had moved to "recharge" status?

If your friend was shot and you had to drive them to the hospital, would you do a circle-of-safety, stay below the speed limit the entire time, and come to a full stop at all stop signs?

If you were a doctor and someone came in with a snakebite, but your last pack of anti-venom was one day expired, would you refuse to give it to them in the name of safety?