Please slow down for Emergency Responders and Maintenance Crews working on roadways

Fire fighters face a serious risk of being struck and killed by traffic when offering emergency assistance along busy highways.

From 1995 to 1999, 17 firefighters were struck and killed by motor vehicles while working along highways at crash scenes, an 89 percent increase over the number killed in the previous five years. These fatalities demonstrate that line-of-duty risks to fire fighters are not limited to the hazards of fighting structural blazes and wildfires.  The weather, the time of day, lighting, traffic speed and volume, and road configuration are among the factors that affect fire fighter safety along roadways.

ICFR firefighters follow national standards for visitbility on roadways, wearing a high-visibility safety vest on all scenes on highways and roads.  These vests are not worn during firefighting operations. 

Please slow down when approaching an emergency scene or in the area of road maintenance crews.  Pull into the left lane if possible to give emergency workers some room.  Look for traffic control staff, safety cones, and signals for proper routes through or around the scene.