I know where I live, we have a cut through as well.. But, in order to make the turn for the cut thru, we have slow to a near stop... We are only allowed to make the turn if our lights are activated. Now, If the driver of the engine was going to use the cut thru to respond to another call, im going to assume his lights were activated.. Also, Since the engine was rearended, im going to say that the Santa Fe was following too closely, or was driving way too fast. In any sate (as far as I know), if you rear end someone, its YOUR fault. And if you're in a fire truck, ambulance, police car and get rearended going to a call.. its YOUR fault.
With all of that being said, I believe the family of the 88 yr old woman that had died saw $$$$$$$$$$ after all of this stuff happend. As i recall, an officer in West Memphis Arkansas had shot at a suspect (who had drawn a weapon and was firing it at the officer). The officer, who was acting in self defence, shot the suspect, and as a result the suspect is now paralyzed. The suspect's mother sued the city for an ungodly ammount of money, and won. It is my opinion, that when shit like this happens, all people see is $$$$$$$$ and more often than not, they will see every. single. cent.