H.E.R.O. (Highway Emergency Response Operator)

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H.E.R.O. (Highway Emergency Response Operator) is a program within Georgia's Department of Transportation Office of Traffic Operations Incident Management Program. They operate primarily in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

HEROs respond quickly to incidents and clear the roads so that the normal traffic flow can be restored. Since the are posted on the highways, they are able to respond quickly to assist disabled motorists as well as police and other emergency services at accident scenes. They operate out of special vehicles resembling utility-type rescue units, and are yellow in color.

[edit] Goals

To minimize major disruption of freeway traffic flow at incident locations.
To focus on the factors that cause disruption in the flow of traffic and remove those factors.
To relieve congestion and maintain the consistent flow of traffic at incident locations
To reduce response time to traffic-related incidents

[edit] Duties

Patrol the Atlanta-area freeways, Monday through Friday, from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Patrol same freeways on Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 9:30 pm
Be on call to respond to incidents outside of the above hours.
Initiate measures to reduce traffic congestion and delays
Provide support to law enforcement, first-response and other emergency agencies
Assist in clearing stalled vehicles from the travel lanes
Help stranded motorists with minor mechanical problems including:
- Change flat tires
- Jump start weak batteries
- Provide fuel, coolant, etc.
- Provide road and travel information
- Provide transportation to safer areas
- Provide courtesy use of a telephone