What should be done when positioning emergency vehicles at a scene?

When positioning emergency vehicles at a scene, leaving them unoccupied to create a barrier is a strategic approach to ensure safety for both the emergency responders and the victims involved. By positioning these vehicles in a way that they act as a physical barrier, it can help prevent unauthorized access to the scene and protect personnel from potential hazards, such as oncoming traffic or bystanders that may inadvertently interfere with the emergency response.

Additionally, having emergency vehicles act as a barrier can help in managing the scene more effectively, directing the flow of traffic, and providing an additional layer of protection for the medical teams and patients as they work. This practice promotes overall safety at the site and allows for a more controlled environment in which emergency responders can operate efficiently.

The other options do not provide the necessary protective measures or best practices needed during emergency response scenarios. Loading patients into vehicles immediately could disrupt the scene management, parking far from the scene may hinder response efforts, and switching off emergency lights could reduce visibility, making it harder for responders to be noticed in an active situation. Hence, utilizing emergency vehicles as a barrier is both a practical and safety-focused approach.