Tower local controller described a potential conflict event when after clearing an aircraft for take...

Attributes
ACN	949593
Time
Date	201105
Local Time Of Day	1801-2400
Place
Locale Reference	ZZZ.Airport
State Reference	US
Aircraft 1
Make Model Name	Skyhawk 172/Cutlass 172
Flight Phase	Takeoff
Route In Use	None
Flight Plan	VFR
Person 1
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Fully Certified
Person 2
Function	Local
Qualification	Air Traffic Control Developmental
Events
Anomaly	ATC Issue All Types Conflict Ground Conflict Less Severe Deviation - Procedural Published Material / Policy

Narrative:

A C172 called for departure and was cleared for takeoff on runway 28R. The flm alerted me to the crossing emergency vehicle and I canceled the takeoff clearance. Recommendation: I was super busy and a split of the positions would have complicated things in briefing and would have been unsafe. I should have used the runway placard to remind me of the crossing traffic. The pilot complied with my instructions and any problems were averted. My flm was the one who caught the mistake and was aware of the situation.

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Tower Local Controller described a potential conflict event when after clearing an aircraft for takeoff he was advised by the Supervisor of a crossing vehicle down field; prompting a cancel take off clearance.

Narrative: A C172 called for departure and was cleared for takeoff on Runway 28R. The FLM alerted me to the crossing Emergency vehicle and I canceled the takeoff clearance. Recommendation: I was SUPER busy and a split of the positions would have complicated things in briefing and would have been unsafe. I should have used the runway placard to remind me of the crossing traffic. The pilot complied with my instructions and any problems were averted. My FLM was the one who caught the mistake and was aware of the situation.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.

Tower local controller described a potential conflict event when after clearing an aircraft for takeoff he was advised by the supervisor of a crossing vehicle down field; prompting a cancel take off clearance.