Emergency Preparedness Is Every Trucker’s Responsibility

Emergencies happen out on the road. As a driver, you’re bound to see them and be involved in them.

Whether you have the ability to successfully respond depends less on heroics than preparedness.

Wanting to respond isn’t the same as having the ability to rise to the occasion.

Emergency preparedness is a big part of being a truck driver.

It’s required by law. Federal regulations require these basics for trucks: • Fire Extinguisher • Spare Fuses • Reflective Triangles or Flares

Emergency Preparedness for Truckers Is the Right Thing to Do

Truckers need to go beyond these basics to be ready and able to respond in scenarios ranging from responding decisively in the event of a crash or equipment failure to knowing what to do when they witness a heart attack or incident of human trafficking.
To be able to respond successfully, truckers need the right tools, knowledge and skills. These form the foundation of a successful response.
Emergency preparedness is knowing what to do and having the ability to do something.

To be fully prepared to respond in the moment, truckers should consider the many emergency scenarios they may encounter on the road, in rest stops, at companies and everywhere in between.

5 Key Areas Where Truckers Should Focus on Preparedness

1 – Truck Breakdowns
Mechanical malfunctions or equipment problems create dangerous situations when they force you to the side of the road or leave you stranded in remote and dangerous locations. Protecting yourself and others from a collision by using triangle reflectors or flares and having reflective clothing and a flashlight are priority number one.

Being prepared with tools and spare parts enables you to fix some basic things, but it’s more likely you’ll need to call for roadside assistance. Be prepared with a protocol of who to call and what information they’ll need so you can facilitate a timely resolution that prevents a breakdown from becoming a much bigger problem.

2 – Crash Emergencies
If your vehicle is involved in a crash, you want to make sure the basic fire extinguisher and first aid kit as well as triangle reflectors or flares and reflective clothing are handy and in good working order. With those items in place, quickly responding by taking these steps can save lives and protect your interests down the road:
First make sure all involved are safe. Administer first aid to the injured and call 911 for help immediately.
Second take pictures and record details of the crash. It is critical to get insurance information and witness contact details at the scene.
Third report the crash to your dispatcher, customer and insurance provider.

3 – Medical Emergencies

Truckers are sometimes the first on the scene of crashes where there are injuries. Occasionally they may witness medical emergencies because of the wide variety of settings they operate in on the road, at businesses, and in shopping centers. They can do much to protect lives and treat injuries by being prepared with first aid supplies and by calling 911 for help.
While not required, first aid or CPR training can enable drivers to do even more. Truckers are everywhere and there are many incidents of truckers being the ones to recognize a heart attack, stroke or severe allergic reaction and help.

4 – Natural or Man-Made Disasters
Preparedness for hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, civil unrest or other disruptions is a matter of being constantly informed. Staying informed and having access to apps with advanced routing capabilities is the best way to prepare.
Drivers operating in regions where seasonal risks or other threats are present should prepare for the possibility of being cut off and stranded. Stock the basics for staying warm, dry, fed and hydrated. Consider all the things you’ll need to survive, including, food, water, blankets, battery chargers, a supply of prescription medications and spare clothes.

5 – “See Something, Say Something” Emergencies
Truck drivers have a unique perspective of America’s highways and communities. They are exposed to a lot, including criminal activity. Through heightened awareness, including awareness of how to spot and report potential crimes, truckers can do great good. Human trafficking is an area truckers can play an important role in combatting. Trucker Path is proud to support TAT, an organization offering awareness training and victim services hotlines. If you suspect an instance of human trafficking, call 911 to report it immediately. Learn the telltale signs of trafficking victims at https://tatnonprofit.org/trucking/.

Consider These Tips and Kits For Trucker Emergency Preparedness

Prepare Like a Navy Seal
During an interview with ABC News, former Navy Seal, Cade Courtley provided these tips for excelling in emergencies
•Practice “Combat Breathing” by breathing in for four seconds and then breathing out for four seconds. “I use combat breathing when I’m driving and I get cut off,” Courtley says.
•Use the “Rule of 3” by thinking of three options for emergency situations and doing a quick pro and con for each. “Just pick one and go with it,” he advises. “If it’s not the right one, at least you’ve made a decision and you can adjust and alter as you continue on.”
•Do Something. “As an officer in the military, I was always told … the worst decision you can ever make is not making a decision,” he adds.

First Aid Kit Best Practices
Whether you’re the first on the scene to an accident or stuck during a hurricane or snowstorm, create a kit to care for a range of injuries and to keep you healthy.
• Bandages
• Gauze pads
• Medical tape
• Pain relievers
• Antibiotic ointments
• Allergy medication
• CPR mask and gloves
• Scissors and tweezers
• Basic first aid manual
• If applicable: prescription medications

Tools and Supplies Best Practices
Tools to fix basic issues are standard. Spare parts for some simple repairs are good additions.
• Multi-tool
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Screwdrivers and pliers
• Wrenches
• Tire pressure gauge
• Jumper cables or a portable lithium-ion battery
• Duct tape
• Bungee cords
• Motor oil
• Headlamp
• Work gloves


Weather-Readiness Supplies
Create a kit that helps keep you warm and dry in case you’re stuck during a weather event—especially for hauls in winter in regions that receive snow.
• Blankets
• Road salt
• Snow chains
• Sub-zero sleeping bag
• Rain poncho
• Extra clothing

Food & Water
If you’re stuck for a few days, hydration and nourishment can become an emergency if you’re not prepared with supplies.
• Water – estimate one gallon per day for drinking and hygiene, per FEMA
• Food – store enough non-perishable food for two to four days. Protein bars, dried fruit and nuts are good options.

Knowledge and Communication Are Critical for Preparedness

With knowledge, you know what to do in emergencies and you can potentially plan a route around dangerous conditions.

The Free Trucker Path App provides owner-operators and small fleets with advanced trip planning and navigation. Additionally, the shared knowledge base of over 9 million users makes Trucker Path an unparalleled resource for learning current road conditions, parking availability and other factors affecting safe driving.

Communication during emergencies is key. Trucker Path’s Free Carrier TMS includes dispatch and navigation to keep drivers, dispatchers and customers connected.

That’s only the beginning. Trucker Path prepares truckers and fleets for driving challenges as well as business success through our premier load board providing drivers with access to over 150,000 loads listed daily. Learn all that Trucker Path has to offer here.