First responders and 911 personnel arriving at the scene of a vehicle crash/highway incident are challenged in working around many different types of road and traffic conditions. Responders have been injured and killed while assisting motorists or working at the scenes of motor vehicle crashes.

This information and guideline will help prevent this type of injury. Remember, a "Move Over Law" is just a law, and drivers and motorists can make mistakes. Always remember that some motorists are distracted drivers and even the safest scenes can become dangerous and even deadly for all responders on the freeway or roadway scene. At Lifesavers 2007 in Chicago it was reported that "65% of officer deaths are driving or traffic related." ©Dave Long

Generally Accepted Guidelines; BE SAFE ON THE ROADWAY!

Some Personal Scene Safety Tips

• Wear a reflectorized vest new ANSI Level II 207-2006 or greater coverage, no exceptions (Or approved apparel gear)
• Carry a second vest if responding in your personal vehicle to the scene
• Carry a "mayday whistle" to signal other responders and traffic
• Carry a flashlight on your person always, for signaling
• At night, turn flashlight ON & place in your pocket/ring - face up to be seen to light your vest
• "Listen to the road" traffic while you do a scene size-up
• Remember you are a pedestrian
• Never take a step on the road without looking at the traffic
• Never trust the other driver
• Watch all traffic because 40-50% of all drivers can be distracted drivers
• Carry "first-in bag" and "EMS clipboard" (Or other minimum equipment i.e., 02) to the patient; avoid walking back and forth to the vehicle/rig if possible--be ready for "no-loads/left's or AMA's/refusals", "walk less on the roadway"
• Approach on the Right shoulder area when possible, not in the traffic lane(s)
• Work on the shoulder if possible and face oncoming traffic
• Have all non-injured persons stay seatbelted or remove them to a safe shoulder bank
• Face oncoming traffic when patient interviewing
• Watch all cars and drivers coming by your scene
• Make eye contact with all drivers passing your working area
• Park at an angle and offset when possible-think about blocking work area
• Park with the front rig wheels pointing away from the working/standing area
• Park in the best location to minimize your exposure, use fire rigs and squads
• Complete your job as quickly as possible and clear the road - think "Quick Clearance"

Some Traffic Scene Safety Tips

• Use law enforcement's "triangle of safety," but always watch passing motorists
• Driver/Incident Commander/Scene Safety Officer "covers" the traffic in the working area
• Close the road for the "shortest time" possible-remember the 1:4 rule ( 1 minute of closure takes 4 minutes to return to normal)
• Set cones or flares upstream to warn oncoming traffic-think advance warning
• Use "Emergency Scene Ahead" pink florescent 48 inch signs and 28 inch orange reflective striped cones
• Shield and deflect traffic with other rigs and traffic control devices
• Shut down high intensity emergency lights on divided highways to reduce gawkers
• Shut down strobes, light preemption/opticom/bright headlights/white when facing traffic
• Consider additional lane blocking for responder and worker safety
• Respond to the highway scene working area only if needed, otherwise stage offsite
• Use MUTCD approved markers and signage for scenes lasting longer than 30 minutes
• Stage additional departments/resources in a parking lot or pullout or other location
• Check the roadway every few seconds, and make eye contact with all passing drivers
• Update your warning devices upstream with materials, rigs, personnel etc.
• Communicate with other responders and keep them updated, at least every 15 min. (Sometimes every few minutes)
• Work with traffic management control center in cities
• Spec out new rigs with arrow boards and reflectorized taping
• Work with local law enforcement, state police, EMS, fire-rescue, DOT, and state traffic
• Enact a "Move Over Law' in your state, 41 states have as of 5/2007
• Take a highway safety class as soon as possible-YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT!
• Never step out on the roadway without wearing a ANSI 206-2007 reflectorized gear
• Think of an Escape Route; you will only get "2 Seconds to Live" when danger approaches

©North Memorial Medical Center 1-800-994-9780 x5452 dave.long@northmemorial.com

Resources:
International Assoc. Chief's of Police "Your Vest Won't Stop this Bullet" CD
Police Chief Magazine
PatrolVehicleSafety.org
Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices
ResponderSafety.com
Firehouse Magazine, Safe Parking with Ron Moore
National Safety Council
Emergency Scene Safety Law Page
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
VFIS: Operation Safe Arrival & Ten Cones of Highway Safety
National Traffic Incident Management Coalition
National Highway Institute
3M Corporation, Personal Safety and Traffic Safety Systems, Vests and Signage
Lighted highway traffic safety vests, battery powered