This article was originally posted Jan. 6, 2020. It has been updated.
Roadside deaths are unspeakable tragedies for the family, friends and colleagues of each person killed, and a reminder of the dangers of working on the roadway, on- or off-duty, inside a vehicle or out in the elements.
Firefighter/Paramedic Steve Whitehead has repeatedly said, “The roadway is the most dangerous environment” for EMS providers, as well as firefighters, police officers, tow truck operators, construction workers and stranded motorists.
When you respond to a vehicle collision, you are at an extremely hazardous incident and working in a hot zone requiring a WMD approach. Reduce your risk with time, distance and shielding:
1. Minimize on-scene time
As you approach the scene, pre-plan with your partner or company, based on dispatch information; scene reports from other responders; and what you are able to see, hear or smell to spend as little time as possible on or adjacent to the road. Make every action urgent and purposeful until you are able to move out of the hot zone by exiting the freeway or idling in a parking lot.
2. Maximize distance from moving vehicles
Learn and adapt the principles of traffic incident management to your jurisdiction. One of the most important actions is upstream notification of drivers that they are approaching a vehicle collision. Signs and vehicles need to urgently and repeatedly warn drivers to move over and slow down.
Once at the incident, perform all duties as far from the center line as conditions allow. Drunk or distracted drivers, traveling too fast for conditions, often over-correct their steering and braking, losing control of their vehicle. Once the driver loses control, any person or vehicle in their path is at risk of being struck.
3. Maximize shielding from all vehicles
If a blocking apparatus is available, park downstream of that apparatus. Two or three blocking apparatus might be even better. Use what’s available to you.
Don’t forget or overlook the risk from vehicles in the opposite direction of travel lane. Rubbernecking changes the flow and speed of traffic, causing drivers to make poor decisions, act abruptly or slow their speed too late.
It’s better to be in your vehicle – ambulance, fire apparatus or police cruiser – with the motor running and seatbelts on, than standing on or near the road. If your vehicle is part of a multi-vehicle pileup, keep your engine running so if you are struck, airbags might still deploy. Direct Good Samaritans back to their vehicles as soon as possible.
Wear or use all department-issued PPE, such as highly visible outerwear and helmets, but expect it to provide you limited actual protection. Being visible from 500 feet matters little to a hydroplaning vehicle moving at 70 miles per hour.
The roadway is always a hot zone, even when traffic is light and conditions are ideal. Physics, weather, driver sobriety, driver distraction and common sense are working against you. Be purposeful and urgent in your actions to reduce the risk with time, distance and shielding.
Learn more about operating safely on the roadways
Learn more about time, distance and shielding on the road with these resources from EMS1 and FireRescue1:
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Rapid Response: Preplanning, unified command proves essential during Pa. Turnpike MCI
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How to use L.C.E.S. for car accident scene situational awareness
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Rapid Response: Driving while videoing illustrates roadway incident dangers
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6 ways to improve roadway operations safety for emergency responders
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Go back to the basics for highway incident operations training
