Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) 2024, set for November 18-22, emphasizes safety measures for first responders working on active roadways.
These professionals, including firefighters, EMS personnel, law enforcement, and towing operators, face constant risks while responding to roadside emergencies.
As reported by Chief Norris Croom for the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), CRSW highlights growing roadway hazards, including distracted driving and secondary crashes.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), numerous first responders are injured or killed annually due to these preventable incidents.
CRSW 2024 encourages chiefs and agencies to promote training, public education, and interagency collaboration to protect first responders and the public.
This focus extends beyond the week itself, calling for a year-round commitment to safety.
Training plays a critical role in responder safety.
Chiefs are urged to ensure their personnel receive Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training, which includes techniques for quick scene clearance, situational awareness, and coordinated responses across agencies.
Free TIM courses are available through the Federal Highway Administration and Respondersafety.com.
Additionally, integrating TIM into fire academy curricula and conducting annual refresher drills ensures responders are well-prepared for real-world scenarios.
After-action reviews following incidents provide opportunities to identify and address safety gaps.
Proper scene management and high-visibility gear are essential for protecting first responders.
Fire apparatus should be positioned upstream from incidents to act as blockers, shielding personnel from traffic.
Chiefs should encourage the use of high-visibility safety vests or jackets, especially in low-light or adverse weather conditions.
The “Move It or Work It” strategy, which advocates relocating crash vehicles to safer areas when feasible, also contributes to safer incident responses.
These measures help mitigate risks posed by distracted and impaired drivers.
CRSW 2024 offers an opportunity for chiefs to engage the public through education campaigns.
Promoting “Move Over” and “Slow Down” laws via local media, social media platforms, and community events can increase public awareness.
Technology also offers tools to enhance responder safety.
Emerging systems, such as connected vehicle alerts, LED-mounted lighting, and traffic pre-emption systems, can help reduce risks at emergency scenes.
Chiefs are encouraged to explore these innovations to address evolving roadway hazards.
Crash Responder Safety Week 2024, scheduled for November 18-22, highlights the need for improved safety measures for first responders operating on active roadways.
According to the IAFC, this initiative emphasizes TIM training, high-visibility gear, proper incident scene management, and public education on roadway safety laws.
Chiefs are encouraged to integrate safety drills, interagency collaboration, and technological innovations to reduce risks.
Resources and tools for CRSW 2024 are available at transportationops.org.
