Working Together for Safer Responses: Collaboration Strategies for EMS and Highway Safety Partners

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of EMS hosted an EMS Focus webinar on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET. This session examined how strengthened collaboration between EMS and highway safety partners can support advancing the Safe System Approach, improving post-crash care for patients and enhancing responder safety.

Participants learned more about Maine’s statewide collaboration model, where integrated systems and aligned Traffic Incident Management (TIM) practices support more efficient and safer responses.

Lauren V. Stewart, Director of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, discussed how Maine’s cross-agency data sharing and planning have advanced roadway safety and leveraged available funding opportunities. She was joined by Wil O’Neal, Director of Maine Emergency Medical Services (EMS), who shared how synchronized information exchange and coordinated operational practices strengthen EMS response—demonstrating a scalable model that other states can adopt to improve roadway safety and post-crash outcomes.