Crash Responder Safety Week (CRSW) 2024, scheduled for November 18-22, is a critical time for all first responders—firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS personnel, and towing operators—to reflect on their safety practices and renew efforts to protect personnel responding to roadway incidents. Fire and EMS chiefs, in particular, play a key leadership role in ensuring their teams are trained and equipped to address the unique hazards associated with working on active roadways.
With an increasing number of roadway incidents every year and distracted driving on the rise, the importance of CRSW has never been more urgent. Chiefs should use this week not only to raise awareness for their organizations and the motoring public, but also to implement strategies that promote a culture of safety throughout their departments.
First responders are at constant risk every time they respond to roadside emergencies. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), dozens of firefighters, police officers, and other responders are injured or killed each year due to secondary crashes, distracted driving, or failure to “Move Over”. These incidents are often preventable, underscoring the importance of proper safety guidelines and continued public education.
Every year, CRSW emphasizes the following:
- Training and Awareness – Ensuring that responders have the knowledge and skills to operate safely on roadways.
- Public Education – Informing the public about their responsibilities, including slowing down and moving over for emergency vehicles.
- Collaboration – Strengthening inter-agency coordination to enhance safety during incident response.
Chiefs must lead by example, prioritizing safety not just during CRSW, but year-round. And, these actions apply to all roadways, not just highways. Suggested actions include:
- Incident Scene Setup for Maximum Safety
- Proper positioning of apparatus is essential. Fire apparatus should be placed upstream from the incident to act as a blocker, protecting personnel working on the incident. Chiefs should ensure their crews are well-versed in the "Move It or Work It" philosophy—when feasible and where allowed, move the vehicles involved in the crash to a safer area; otherwise, work efficiently to clear the scene.
- Use of High-Visibility Gear
- Fire and EMS personnel should always wear high-visibility safety vests or jackets when operating on any roadway. Reflective gear enhances visibility, especially at night or during inclement weather, and can be a life-saving measure when dealing with distracted or impaired drivers.
- Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Training
- TIM training prepares responders to handle roadway incidents efficiently and safely. Chiefs should ensure their personnel are trained in TIM best practices, including quick clearance techniques, situational awareness, and coordinated multi-agency response. Free TIM courses can be found through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) or at Respondersafety.com.
As fire and EMS chiefs, promoting roadway safety requires a proactive, multifaceted approach. To enhance the safety for your personnel within your department, consider the following:
- Conduct Safety Drills and After-Action Reviews
- Incorporate TIM into your academy for all new personnel. Then, conduct annual refresher training by holding drills that simulate roadway incidents. Additionally, conduct after-action reviews (AARs) following real-world incidents and near misses to identify safety gaps and refine response procedures. The lessons learned from these reviews can be invaluable for preventing future incidents.
- Promote Interagency Collaboration
- Coordination with law enforcement, other fire and EMS agencies, tow operators, and local or state transportation departments ensures seamless operations. Establishing regular communication and joint training exercises fosters mutual understanding of each agency’s roles and responsibilities. Chiefs can also participate in regional TIM working groups to improve overall response efforts
- Engage in Public Outreach Campaigns
- Chiefs can use CRSW 2024 as an opportunity to promote public awareness of Move Over and Slow Down laws as well as other roadway safety measures. Consider partnering with local media, schools, and community organizations to spread the message. Utilize your social media platforms and publish a daily message during CRSW.
- Advocate for Technological Solutions
- Chiefs should explore the use of emerging technologies that can enhance responder safety. Examples include connected vehicle systems that alert drivers to responding vehicles and emergency scenes, vehicle-mounted LED lighting systems and the proper use of, dashcams for situational awareness, and traffic pre-emption systems. By embracing innovation, departments can work to stay ahead of evolving roadway hazards.
The message of Crash Responder Safety Week is clear: Everyone - drivers and responders alike - has a role to play in roadway safety. Chiefs must lead the effort in ensuring that their teams are prepared, vigilant, and supported with the right resources.
CRSW 2024 is more than just a week on the November calendar - it’s truly a call to action, and its lessons should be practiced all year long. By prioritizing safety and working together, we can protect those who risk their lives every day on our roadways. Let's use this week to recommit to the well-being of our responders and ensure that safety is always at the forefront of everything we do. And, remind your citizens that when they see “Responders Ahead! Reduce Your Speed As You Proceed”.
The CRSW schedule, along with resources, messaging tools, and templates, can be found at Crash Responder Safety Week 2024: November 18-22 | National Operations Center of Excellence (transportationops.org). Agencies are also encouraged to become a CRSW Ally in Action, also found on this page.
Norris W. Croom III, EFO, CEMSO, CFO, is the Fire Chief for the Castle Rock (CO) Fire and Rescue Department. He’s been a member of the IAFC and EMS Section since 1998, and currently serves as the EMS Section International Director.