First responders encouraged to report struck-by incidents on new website

Harrisburg, PA — A new website launched by the Emergency Responder Safety Institute will help track struck-by incidents involving first responders on the nation’s roadways.

The website, ReportStruckBy.com, “collects detailed information directly from first responders” regarding on-scene incidents in which a vehicle struck them or their equipment.

“By improving first responder reporting, this new tool will help ERSI track and analyze struck-by incident data, gain a better understanding of exactly how and why these incidents are happening, and help prevent future incidents,” the institute states.

According to the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, transportation incidents are the No. 2 cause of death among firefighters and police officers, and the leading cause of death among tow truck operators.

“Additionally, up to 20% of vehicle crashes are estimated to be secondary in nature, meaning they occur as the result of an earlier incident,” ERSI says. “These statistics show that when responders operate at a crash scene or deliver post-crash care on or near a roadway, their risk of being struck by passing vehicles in a secondary incident is alarmingly high.”

The incident form takes about three to four minutes to complete, and all fields are optional. ERSI encourages reporting from all types of first responders, including emergency medical services, special traffic units, safety service/freeway service patrols, public works, and towing/recovery.