Gordon Graham
Category: Public Safety
Gordon Graham here with Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Today’s Tip is for all my friends in public safety, and it’s about your safety when responding to transportation incidents.
No matter where you work, it’s safe to say your response area includes some mode of transportation. Cars and trucks are everywhere, trains roll through every state, and airplanes probably fly over your town daily.
Your life depends on your own vigilance and the policies and procedures in place to keep you safe.
Incidents involving transportation are bound to occur. They come with hazards and, therefore, risk. The question is, how can you minimize this risk when you respond?
Let’s start with trains. Railroad operators are safety-conscious companies, and for good reason. In 2021, seven railroad workers were killed on the job and almost 1,300 were injured. Put simply, trains are dangerous. Are you ready to respond safely to railroad emergencies? America’s Class 1 railroads have free outreach programs to inform first responders of railway dangers that can help you get started.
What about motor vehicles? Surely you have roads in your town – otherwise it would be difficult to get to work. When you respond to traffic accidents, are you securing the scene effectively and wearing the proper PPE? With more and more electric vehicles and the introduction of different materials in cars and trucks, vehicles today present different hazards.
Additionally, drivers are more distracted than ever. Your life depends on your own vigilance and the policies and procedures in place to keep you safe.
And finally, unless you work at an airport, incidents involving aircraft land squarely in the high-risk/low-frequency category. For this reason, take your time when responding and call for specialized resources. You are more likely to respond to an incident involving a small private aircraft than an airliner, but hazards exist all the same, so approach with caution. The most memorable incident of your career may also be the most dangerous. Don’t let it be your last.
And that’s Today’s Tip from Lexipol. Until next time, Gordon Graham, signing off.
