21 Jan 2020

Roadway operations bring great risks to emergency responders. The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) reports that 44 responders were struck and killed while working on roadway incidents in 2019, and seven have been struck and killed in the first two weeks of 2020.

To prevent future tragedies and enhance the safety of firefighters, EMS providers, and other responders, the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) has joined with national fire service organizations in issuing a survival message with reminders and tips to minimize the risks during roadway response.

Improve incident scene safety

ERSI’s ResponderSafety Learning Network provides free online training to improve the safety of roadway incident operations, as well as resources for public information officers and educators to share with the community to raise awareness of the role drivers play in keeping responders safe. The NVFC has also compiled a listing of training and resources to help departments improve incident scene safety on the roadways.