We here at Respondersafety.com are on a mission. Many of us have lost friends out on the highways of America. We consider these tragic deaths to be a real waste of life, talent and dedication. That is why we decided to work towards creating an awareness of the dangers involved in operating at emergencies on the highways and byways of our nation.

Our progress has been slow and steady since the early days when the folks at the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman's Association began their ad hoc efforts a couple of years back. However, our resolve to make a difference has served as our guiding principle. We would not be where we are today without the strong support from the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Academy.

Are things better out there on the highways? Who can say? People are still being struck, killed and injured. It is our opinion that this is a long-term effort. We are all in it for the long haul. We are making inroads. We can tell this by the volume of questions that we are now receiving.

Much like the well-publicized War on Terrorism, our war against death and injuries on the highway will surely outlast the life times of us all. However, we are heartened that the awareness of this issue that seems to be rising. Recent events have shown us that people are noticing what we do.

On behalf of the CVVFA and the Responder Safety Institute, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the folks at Fire Rescue magazine. Jim Page has been a dear friend of long standing, and he has passed this feeling on to the editorial team at the magazine.

We would especially like to thank Extrication Editor Steve Kidd, of the Orange County Fire/Rescue Department in Florida for his exceedingly kind and generous comments. In a recent Guest Editorial, Steve spoke on the many dangers inherent within the highway safety danger zone. He specifically cites the fact that a, " … lack of traffic-control training turns rescuers into victims."

He goes on to tell us all that, " … It's time we stop giving a cursory glance to traffic safety and give it our full and undivided attention." Bravo! Well said Steve, we have to make this topic as important as any other on our training schedule. We need to conduct drills on how to establish highway safety zones. We need to insure that highway safety standard operating procedures are created and used by all of our members.

We want to thank Steve for mentioning us in his column. That is how our mission will grow and our efforts improve. People will see us and then establish a relationship where we can enter a two-way sharing of ways in which to make our operations safer and better.

No one knows everything about highway safety. We share what we know and we welcome your contributions. We shall share what you are kind enough to share. Thanks to a number of people, we now have a section that lists the states that have laws protecting our highway safety emergency workers. We also have a set of suggested standard operating procedures for your use.

Many times in the past, we have seen people that have struck and killed or injured our brothers and sisters receive little more than a slap on the wrist for killing or maiming a fellow emergency service member. Now a recent case in suburban Maryland has shown us that there can be justice for our slain associates.

According to a recent story on www.WashingtonPost.com, " …A Georgia woman accused of driving drunk when her car struck and killed a U.S. Park Police officer in August pleaded guilty to several charges yesterday in a deal with prosecutors and is to be sentenced to five years in prison, authorities said." This lady is the person who killed " …Park Police Officer Hakim A. Farthing who was run over Aug. 10,2002 while directing traffic on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway in Prince George's County."

Justice has been served. Sadly Officer Farthing will never again be with his friends and family. His death and the deaths of the many others we have reported here at Respondersafety.com are the reason for our existence. We intend to keep beating the drum for more safety on our highways and by-ways.

On behalf of the CVVFA, Steve Austin and I would like to extend an invitation to all of you who will be attending the Fire Department Instructor's Conference in Indianapolis next month. The CVVFA Responder Safety Institute is going to be holding a meeting during FDIC on Wednesday April 2 at 2:00 PM. It will be held at the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Conference Room 302 W. Washington St. Room E241 in Indianapolis. We will be discussing the following issues:

• Program Update
• Video Tape Status
• Training Schedule
• Instructor Certification
• Where do we go from here?

If you can find the time to attend, we would love to have you be with us. Please make time.