At a vehicle collision on an interstate, what is your primary safety concern as an EMS provider?

The primary safety concern for an EMS provider at a vehicle collision on an interstate is ensuring personal safety and the safety of patients, which includes avoiding distractions from passing drivers. High-speed traffic poses a significant risk to responders working at the scene, and if they are distracted, they could be injured by oncoming vehicles.

While checking for fuel leaks and stopping traffic are important considerations, the immediate priority is to create a safe working environment for the EMS team, patients, and bystanders. Distractions from passing drivers can lead to accidents, so it is crucial for EMS providers to maintain focus and be vigilant about their surroundings.

Additionally, ensuring traffic is stopped is certainly important, but it falls under the broader umbrella of maintaining safety at the scene, which also includes managing how responders interact with and are affected by surrounding traffic. Overall, minimizing distractions helps reinforce the safety commitment needed in such volatile situations.