Safety Spotlight: Howe Springs Fire Department

October 14, 2024

The Health & Safety Committee is excited to kick off a new series, Safety Spotlight, where we celebrate departments or individuals who are taking a proactive approach towards creating a safe culture within the fire service, have developed a program related to health and safety within the department, or goes above and beyond in the realm of health and safety.

The first Safety Spotlight shines on Howe Springs Fire Department in Florence County and their Highway Safety Unit, a refurbished 2008 F-250 that is outfitted with a digital message board, 75 cones, and a wrap designed to alert drives of crews on scene. The Highway Safety Unit is a creative, innovative solution to an ever-growing safety hazard for emergency services personnel and roadway workers.

According to research conducted by the Emergency Responder Safety Institute Report, "... Struck-by-fatality deaths of U.S. roadway responders remains high despite gradually decreasing, from 51 in 2022 to 46 in 2023, after peaking at 65 in 2021. Of these, 23 deaths were documented in 2022 by ERSI relating to non-emergency responders - half of the yearly total since the inclusion of mobile mechanics and tow truck drivers among first responders."

Howe Springs' Highway Safety Unit is a combination of recommendations found in the ERSI Report, like converting vehicles into blocking units with reflective chevrons.