TOLEDO, Ohio —
Dozens of construction projects are happening across Toledo this year. Projects causing detours, delays and headaches.
For emergency services, it's important to have a plan in place to get around when seconds count.
Toledo Fire and Rescue has seen a change in response time, but Deputy Chief Daniel Brown-Martinez said not from the construction.
Brown-Martinez said the changes in response time have been due to more people moving to West Toledo.
Finding a way to get around construction is nothing new for Toledo Fire and Rescue.
"We've traversed this before several times," Brown-Martinez said.
Dispatch uses a satellite geographic information system, GIS, to plan out the most direct route for crews that take construction and traffic into consideration.
Crews are also knowledgeable about the areas, and Brown-Martinez said crews are aware of different routes that can be taken to quicken response time.
"Those crews, they start practicing those routes just organically knowing when they're shut down, they will follow through and see what's best," Brown-Martinez said. "That's when they pick up things again that maybe GPS can't take into account like back up during rush hour."
Emergency vehicles aren't the only ones who have to find new routes. TARTA has more detours than normal right now.
"Of course, detours downtown are a little problematic but, you know, we're used to working around detours," TARTA communication and marketing manager Andy Cole said. "It's something we'll continue to do. We'll continue to get people where they're going using other means necessary."
The number of detours changes constantly, but there are at least ten TARTA detours right now.
With more traffic being diverted to other roads, drivers need to be aware of how to help emergency vehicles get through.
"Just make room for that emergency vehicle and please pull to the right," Martinez-Brown said. "Give the fire apparatus the right of way. Think about the emergency that they're going to. That they're responding to somebody else's loved one, and even though it might be frustrating at times, think about the people in that emergency that need help."
Martinez-Brown said people should pull as far to the right as possible and they should pay attention to the drivers of the emergency vehicles. Emergency vehicle drivers may try to direct traffic to ensure the vehicle can pass.