EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Highway Emergency Response Operators are the “HERO’s” that help if you’re stalled on the side of the road, need a tire replacement and more.
KTSM takes a look at their day-to-day operation.
The HERO’s drive a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) vehicle that is equipped with everything needed to help any motorist who is stalled on the side of the road, and also help with crashes.
“As a HERO, I come to work and patrol the highways, ensuring that it’s safe for all vehicles, motorcycles to be able to travel without any incident. When there are incidents on the highway, I respond and clear the incident up with the help of other agencies,” Brandayn Hunter, a HERO said.
The HERO program has been running for four years and can help in any situation.
“A lot of times tire changes are really big. Being able to provide fuel for individuals that tried to make it to the gas station but has not quite made it, clearing people that have been in motor vehicle accidents to a safer location,” Hunter said.
Hunter told KTSM the HERO’s also carry radio communication, pepper spray and secondary communications for motorists that need to make phone calls.
HERO’s are also CPR certified.
Jennifer Wright, a public information officer with TxDOT, said the program itself has helped prevent secondary crashes and increase the quickness of clearing roadways so fewer disabled vehicles are on the road.
Wright told KTSM the program is given $3 million each year through federal funding from the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).
The HERO’s are available everyday.
“We have six trucks patrolling major state highways Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. And then on the weekend is from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and it’s three trucks that are patrolling,” Wright said.
The current cities across the state that have running HERO programs are El Paso, San Antonio and Austin.
Wright told KTSM TxDOT’s goal is to hope the HERO program can increase its funding from the MPO so the program can run 24/7.
Hunter and Wright stress the importance of “move over or slow down” when a vehicle is on the side of the road as accidents can always happen.
“It’s extremely important for motorists to pay attention to our lights, pay attention if we have lane closures and simply move over. That way, we can go home to our families that night as well,” Hunter said.
If you need assistance, you can call (915) 790-HERO.
To learn more about the program, click here.
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