A ground ambulance crew requests traffic control on a two-lane highway after a rollover. Which action should be requested?

• A. Local police to post detour routes 1 mile away
• B. Fire department to extinguish a fire
• C. State troopers to set up with lights flashing 500 yards in each direction on the highway to alert oncoming traffic.
• D. Ambulance to stage at the scene

Answer: (C)

Controlling traffic to protect responders and prevent a second crash is the immediate priority after a rollover on a two-lane highway. Law enforcement can rapidly establish a visible warning zone and direct vehicles, using flashing lights to alert oncoming traffic well ahead of the scene. Setting up 500 yards in each direction creates a safety buffer, giving drivers time to slow down, merge, or follow safe detours as needed, while allowing crews to work with reduced risk.

Detour planning and firefighter actions may be needed, but without first signaling and controlling the flow of traffic, secondary incidents can occur. Staging the ambulance at the scene addresses patient access but does not manage traffic flow, and extinguishing a fire is only relevant if there is an active fire.