In 2023, the Emergency Responder Safety Institute reported that 46 roadway responders were killed by vehicles and many more were injured when they were struck while working on our Nation’s highways. The most common situations where first responders are struck by vehicles are when they are responding to a crash scene or disabled vehicle, or when they are directing traffic.
In response to the increased risk of responding to roadway emergencies, Board Members from Walker County Emergency Services District #2 recently approved the addition of an “Attenuator Truck” to the New Waverly Fire Department’s emergency vehicle fleet. The truck is equipped with a large arrow board to direct approaching traffic and a truck-mounted attenuator, a device mounted at the rear to absorb an impact and lessen the risk of injury for occupants of the striking vehicle. It also carries additional traffic cones and barricades for rapid deployment during an emergency response.
