Grand Canyon Times

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Bureau of EMS & Trauma System, is reminding roadway users to be cautious and reduce speed when approaching traffic incidents during Crash Responders Safety Week (CRSW). The event takes place from November 18-22, 2024. The message "RESPONDERS AHEAD! REDUCE YOUR SPEED AS YOU PROCEED" aims to raise awareness about the dangers faced by first responders.

Firefighters, emergency medical services, law enforcement, towing and recovery personnel, public works staff, safety service patrols, and other traffic incident responders work continuously to clear crashes and provide life-saving care. Unfortunately, many responders have been killed or injured because drivers did not slow down or move over when approaching an incident scene.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has issued a proclamation designating this week as Crash Responder Safety Week. ADHS/Bureau of EMS & Trauma System emphasizes that reducing speed past roadside responders can significantly lower the risk of secondary crashes.

Nationally, between 2017 and July 7, 2024, a total of 279 first responders were fatally struck while working on traffic incidents. This includes 111 law enforcement officers, 44 fire/EMS personnel, 102 towing and recovery workers, 11 transportation/service patrol members, and 11 mobile mechanics. In Arizona alone during the same period, ten first responders lost their lives in similar circumstances.

The ADHS Bureau of EMS & Trauma System encourages road users to "reduce your speed as you proceed" past traffic incidents and move over a lane if possible. They also urge learning about Arizona’s Slow Down Move Over Law and supporting traffic incident responders on social media using #CRSW.

For traffic incident responders themselves, the bureau recommends taking the free National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training provided by the Federal Highway Administration. This training aims to protect them better while they perform their duties. The bureau also suggests sharing experiences on social media with #CRSW to highlight the dangers faced in these situations.

The ADHS Bureau of EMS & Trauma System expresses gratitude towards all traffic incident responders for their dedication to keeping roads safe. They remind roadway users: "Responders Ahead! Reduce Your Speed as You Proceed."