WOULD YOU ASK A SURGEON TO DO YOUR TAXES? : SO WHY WOULD YOU EXPECT YOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL TO DIRECT TRAFFIC?

This article describes the React (Regional Emergency Action Coordination Team) developed for Phoenix-area emergency responders to bridge the gap between incident management and traffic management. It is the only inter-jurisdictional emergency traffic management program in the country and is operated by the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). The region includes several large jurisdictions that are traversed by shared arterials, so that incidents can have wide-ranging effects across jurisdictional lines. In addition, coordination between incident management and emergency management is needed in case road closures or other responses interfere with typical emergency response routes. REACT is a partnership involving MCDOT, public safety and local traffic management. Local police agencies are enthusiastic participants in the pilot because REACT enables more efficient use of manpower during emergencies and incidents.