Since January 7, Southern California has been devastated by severe wildfires. Reports say that new conflagrations have flared up in recent days.
Working with emergency officials and relief organizations, the trucking industry has provided needed supplies and sustenance to the displaced residents. That is no surprise: truckers – drivers and motor carriers alike – are well-versed in perseverance and achieving goals.
But during natural disasters, completing the mission, even a relief mission, must take a back seat to safety. Here is what truckers should do to stay safe in these conditions:
Prepare. Always check weather conditions before travel (https://www.ready.gov/severe-weather). Emergency alerts can be delivered to mobile devices (https://www.ready.gov/alerts). No one should be caught unprepared.
What to look for? Watch for Emergency Declarations by the federal government (https://www.fema.gov/disaster/declarations), states and localities. Look at state and federal websites for road closures and detours (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/about/webstate.cfm). Travel may take extra time. Emergency declarations commonly allow truckers hours of service exemptions during these conditions (https://prepass.com/blog/fmcsa-finalizes-changes-to-emergency-trucking-exemptions/) – but first find out whether that extra time allows you to safely reach a secure destination.
Both company dispatchers and drivers should have access to weather and road information. When in doubt or when facing unforeseen dangers, truck drivers should pull safely off the road before calling back to the office. And drivers should always carry the food, tools and clothing appropriate to the season.
Coordinate with Emergency Officials. Whether it’s law enforcement, first responders, fire crews or other emergency officials, someone will be holding up traffic, shutting down roads, and dictating detours. Truck drivers must be patient and await their directions and approval to proceed. Simply put, the officials stopping traffic did not create the natural disaster; they are just trying to get everyone through safely. Safety – the same goal shared by truckers.
Proceed with Caution. During wildfires and natural disasters road conditions can change in an instant. Uprooted trees can fall. Bridges can be submerged by rushing waters. Rocks and snow can avalanche onto highways. Smoke can destroy all visibility. These changes can occur before emergency officials put up warning signs or close roads. That means the responsibility for safe travel falls, as it always does, squarely on the shoulders of the truck driver. Truck drivers must be especially alert and be prepared to stop and warn others of dangers ahead.
Prepare, coordinate, proceed cautiously. That is the prescription for safe trucking during wildfires and natural disasters.