Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Concern grows regarding the safety of the responders as highways get increasingly congested


Traffic snared as a result of automobile accident at Lucabaugh Mill Road and Route 27

Concern grows regarding the safety of the responders as highways get increasingly congested

Kevin Dayhoff Westminster Patch: http://twitpic.com/58sgnk Accident scene responders face increasing dangers http://patch.com/B-gMq

June 5, 2011



Last Thursday afternoon, June 2, at 3:19 p.m. units from the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1, Maryland State Police Barrack G, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, and Westminster Police Department responded to a vehicle collision with rescue at the intersection of Lucabaugh Mill Road and Route 27, just north of Westminster.

The accident and subsequent clean up, snarled traffic north of Westminster for well over an hour.

At least one person was transported from the scene to a local hospital.  No information is available as to the nature or extent of the victim’s injuries or their current status.

Responses to accident scenes are often very complex and are further complicated by roadways that are congested with more and more motorists who may not take the extra care necessary at an accident scene.

The primary concerns of the responders are two-fold.  One: quick, safe and methodical attention to all the injured as a result of the accident.  The responders are highly trained to quickly and safely provide emergency medical attention and get the accident victims to the hospital or to the R Adams Cowly Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland in downtown Baltimore.

The second concurrent concern is to secure the scene so the responders may work safely – and the roadway near the accident scene stays safe for the motorists not involved in the accident.

Nationwide, concern continues to grow for the safety of the responders as the highways continue to get congested.  There is a growing perception driver behavior has deteriorated in recent years.  For more information, go to Responder Safety.com, a web site that was “Created as a Committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman’s Association…”

In February 2008, Steven L. Hess, of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department noted the increasing death toll on emergency responders in a paper entitled, “Traffic Incident Management: Reducing Personal Injuries and Property damage While Operating On Roadways.”

In his 99-page report, Hess notes that concerns for safety for emergency responders has grown since a 1999 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) report.  The NIOSH recommended, “Fire Departments should ensure that fire fighters responding to a scene involving a highway incident or fire must first control the oncoming vehicle before safely turning their attention to the emergency…”

In a June 2001 NIOSH report, “Traffic Hazards to Fire Fighters While Working Along Roadways,” it was reported, “The number of fire fighters struck and killed by motor vehicles has dramatically increased within recent years…  Motorists accustomed to a clear, unobstructed roadway may not recognize and avoid closed lanes or emergency workers on or near the roadway.  In some cases, conditions can reduce a motorist’s ability to see and avoid fire fighters and apparatus… 

“These hazards are not limited to the fire service alone.  Other emergency service providers such as law enforcement officers, paramedics, and vehicle recovery personnel are also exposed to these hazards.”

When approaching an accident scene slow down, be patient, and watch and listen for instructions from emergency responders.

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Responses to accident scenes are often very complex and are further complicated by roadways that are congested with motorists who may not take the extra care necessary at an accident scene.

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Last Thursday afternoon, June 2, units from the Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No.1 responded to a vehicle collision with rescue at the intersection of Lucabaugh Mill Road and Route 27, just north of Westminster.  The accident, and subsequent clean up, snarled traffic north of Westminster for well over an hour.

Westminster Fire Depart: CT:VCR LUCABAUGH MILL RD / RT 27 WEST BOX:0328 DUE:X39 RE32 RS9

2JE2011 p3ked 15:19/15:38 CT: VCR LUCABAUGH MILL RD / RT 27 WEST BOX:0328 DUE:X39 RE32 RS9 - 2JE2011 p2ked 15:19/15:37 CT: VCR LUCABAUGH MILL RD / RT 27 WEST BOX:0328 DUE:X39 RE32 RS9

[20110602 VCR Rte27 Lucabaugh]


03:02 pm
June 8, 2011 http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/accident-scene-responders-face-increasing-dangers Accident scene responders face increasing dangers Kevin E. Dayhoff · Wednesday, June 8, 2011 Kevin Dayhoff has been a freelance writer and … Accident scene responders face increasing dangers as roadways are more congested with motorists who aren't always taking necessary precautions in moving past an accident scene.

Accident scene responders face increasing dangers - by Kevin Dayhoff on Westminster Patch  http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/accident-scene-responders-face-increasing-dangers 

Welcome to the Blog for Westminster Fire Engine and Hose Co. No. 1

Kevin E. Dayhoff · Monday, June 6, 2011 Kevin Dayhoff has been a freelance writer and … The volunteers of the Westminster fire department appreciate this opportunity to acquaint you with the vital work they do every single day of the year. Read full post » http://westminster.patch.com/blog_posts/welcome-to-the-blog-for-westminster-fire-engine-and-hose-co-no-1 

LABELS: DAYHOFF MEDIA WESTMINSTER PATCH, MEDIA PATCH, MEDIA PATCH WESTMINSTER

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