Crash Responders Safety Week will take place November 14-18 and this year’s theme is “Respect Our Roadside Heroes.”

Athens Fire/Rescue and the Athens Police Department work constantly with partners, including other fire departments and law enforcement agencies, emergency medical services, towing and recovery, public works, and safety service patrols. Collectively, traffic incident responders work to assist road users in need, applying well-rehearsed procedures to provide emergency traffic control and quickly clear incidents from roadways.

“With many responses, we stand roadside with cars and trucks going by as fast as 80 miles per hour or more,” said Police Chief John Densmore.

“In spotlighting response experiences in Athens, we want drivers to understand the risks that we take every day," said Assistant Fire Chief Paul Crayton, "and the importance of slowing down and moving over when they pass."

So remember, when passing an incident scene, motorists are asked to slow down and, if possible, move over into an adjacent lane to provide a protective buffer for responders and the motorists behind you.