Highway Scene Safety 101: Training and Best Practices for EMS & Firefighters
During warm-weather months, U.S. highways see an influx of cars and trucks. According to research by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS), the summer months see the highest rate of traffic accidents and fatalities, with a reported average of 116 traffic-related fatalities per day in July and August.
Regardless of the season, it is always important for fire and EMS teams and leaders to review their safety training protocol for responding to highway incidents.
According to Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets, Ninth Edition, “Ensuring scene safety is a dynamic process requiring constant reassessment. This process, which in the past was often thought of simply as a task to be 'checked off' at the start of the encounter, should not be undervalued."
Proper training can keep first responders and motorists safe while ensuring that injured people receive proper care. Read on to learn more about the best practices for EMS professionals and firefighters when it comes to highway scene safety.
The Unique Dangers of Responding to Highway Incidents
Responding to traffic accidents, particularly incidents that occur on highways and freeways, is inherently dangerous for EMS and fire professionals. Despite the fact that all 50 states have laws requiring motorists to move over when they see first responders working on the road, motorists may fail to yield to these responders working in the field, creating the risk for additional accidents and injuries.
Unfortunately, EMS and fire personnel tending to the scene may also be at an increased risk of being injured or killed in a struck-by accident when responding to calls on the highway. According to data from the Responder Safety Institute, 11 EMS/Fire personnel lost their lives in struck-by accidents in 2022 alone.
First responders often need to make split-second decisions at the scene. At times, these decisions include what to do with bystanders.
“Proper highway safety training should include the utilization of civilians who often arrive on scene first or witness a crash,” says Joyce Pettengill, EMS Instructor, Compliance, and Recruitment at Fayetteville Technical Community College, and reviewer of Nancy Caroline’s Emergency Care in the Streets, Ninth Edition, “They sense the need to help but often are not equipped and have little safety training for these situations. If an individual identifies themselves as Fire or EMS professional, then a decision should be made to utilize them and if so, properly equip the individual with a reflective vest and provide direct instructions so they are not freelancing and causing greater risk to all.”
Best Practices For EMS and Firefighters
Each day in the United States, emergency responders are dispatched to 12,200 roadway responses. Each of these responses comes with an elevated risk of injury for first responders—so it's extremely important for personnel to receive proper safety training. Whether responding to a vehicle crash, a brush fire on the side of the highway, or a hazardous material leak, EMS and firefighters must have reliable and consistent safety training to fall back on.
In addition to highway safety training being a part of a first responder's initial training, regular in-service training should be provided at least once per year as a "refresher." Meanwhile, instructors and leadership have a responsibility to stay involved with Traffic Incident Management (TIM) committees and other relevant agencies in coordinating responses and creating plans to improve scene safety.
While each scene is unique and should be treated as such, there are some key safety tips and best practices that both EMS and fire personnel should keep in mind when responding to highway incidents.
- Park Emergency Vehicles at a 45-Degree Angle - When parking an ambulance, fire truck, or other emergency vehicle, first responders should always be trained to park at a 45-degree angle with wheels facing away from the road. This way, in the event that the vehicle is struck, it will be pushed towards the shoulder and away from other moving traffic. Whenever possible, responders should dismount their emergency vehicles on the side that faces away from moving traffic.
- Use Proper Emergency Vehicle Lighting - Emergency vehicle lighting plays an important role in increasing the visibility of emergency teams while alerting other motorists to slow down and stay alert. At the same time, too many flashing lights can quickly become disorienting to other drivers, which is why forward-facing white lights should generally be shut off while on-scene. Likewise, any traffic directional arrows should be activated to alert motorists if they will need to merge or take other action. In addition to emergency vehicle lighting, EMS and fire teams should be trained on the proper use of road flares, traffic cones, temporary signage, and other tools to safely control and regulate the flow of traffic.
- Wear Personal Protective Equipment - With the exception of fire crews who are actively fighting a fire, the Federal Highway Administration requires that all first responders don high-visibility vests with five-point breakaway features while working on or near a highway. This type of equipment makes it easier for motorists to see emergency workers on the road, especially in adverse conditions (such as at night or during bad weather). Firefighters can also benefit greatly from wearing helmets with reflective markings while working on the highway.
- Take Demobilization Seriously - Even when a road incident is under control and operations are wrapping up, safety should remain at the forefront of every EMS and firefighter's operations. Taking the time to safely demobilize a scene is key to preventing additional accidents and injuries. This includes having an organized system in place for removing temporary traffic control devices, protecting any workers who need to remain on-scene (such as law enforcement or tow truck drivers), and opening up any closed lanes. Likewise, team leaders should ensure that everybody is accounted for before demobilizing and leaving the scene.
“One of the greatest dangers on roads is speed itself,” says Pettengill. “Giving oncoming motorists ample time to slow down before they approach the scene is crucial in light of the speed limits and hidden dangers in curves. Taking the time to alert motorists properly and safely will not only benefit their well-being but also that of the rescuers and patients already involved.”
In addition to these key safety tips, EMS and fire personnel should also be trained to properly block off lanes and close roads as needed, provide size-up reports upon arriving at a scene, calling in additional responders and resources as needed, and safely engage with and direct bystanders, media crews, and media who may also be on-scene.
How Strong is Your Highway Scene Safety Training?
There's a lot that can go wrong when responding to a roadway incident—but with a solid foundation of safety training in place, EMS and fire personnel can make quick and confident decisions to keep the scene as safe as possible.
Download a Review Copy of "Nancy Caroline's Emergency: Care in the Streets, Ninth Edition"
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