VDOT News - Richmond

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD – Traffic incident management is a coordinated team effort of local, state, federal, and private partners, working around the clock to meet the goal of quick incident clearance and keeping Virginia moving.

To kick off Crash Responder Safety Week (formerly National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week) Nov. 8-14, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will host “Highway Heroes,” a touch-a-truck event to allow the public to see, hear and touch the vehicles and systems essential for responding to crashes on Virginia roads.

When: Saturday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Where: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds at 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, Va.

Admission: Free

An outdoor touch-a-truck exhibit will feature a simulated crash scene to help the public see an incident from the perspective of first responders who work in the roadway every day. Attendees can watch live demonstrations of K-9 and motorcycle skills, patient extrication and towing recovery. Outdoor exhibit participating agencies include:

VDOT: Safety Service Patrol (SSP) trucks, dump truck, “paint a plow” station, incident management response vehicle
Carson Volunteer Fire Department: heavy rescue truck
Central Virginia All-Hazards Incident Management Team: command post
Chesterfield County Police: crash team, crash truck, boat, motorcycles
Chesterfield County Fire & EMS: Engine 15
Chesterfield County Fire Marshal & K9
Chippenham Hospital: AirCare Eagle helicopter
DRIVE SMART Virginia: drunk and distracted driving interactive exhibit
Eagle Towing: crashed vehicles, heavy-duty wrecker
Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad: ambulance and utility task vehicle
Johnny’s Auto and Truck: heavy-duty wrecker
Old Dominion Historical Fire Society, Inc.: antique fire trucks, responder safety
Prince George County Fire & Rescue
Prince George County Police
Regional Technical Rescue Team: crash truck
Southside Virginia Emergency Crew: ambulance
Virginia State Police: aviation division, mobile command bus, distracted driving, motor program
W.S. Campbell Towing & Recovery: heavy-duty wrecker

Live Demonstrations

10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.: Extrication demo with introduction from distracted driving awareness advocate Deputy Brad Hughes, Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office

Indoor exhibits will feature the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Emergency Responder Safety Institute, Richmond Transportation Operations Center (TOC) cameras and changeable signs and VDOT work zone awareness.

Parking will be available across the street from the fairgrounds at Lloyd C. Bird High School. Guest entry will be available at Gate 2, near the intersection of Courthouse Road and Krause Road.

This event is following CDC guidelines, and masks are recommended but not required for event attendees.

Follow VDOT Richmond on Twitter: @VaDOTRVA

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