Town of Colonie EMS Assistant Chief Robbie MacCue recently took the national stage at the 2025 Lifesavers Conference on Roadway Safety in Long Beach, California. As the premier U.S. highway safety meeting, the Lifesavers Conference gathers professionals across disciplines to share innovative, evidence-based practices that reduce roadway deaths and injuries.
On Monday, March 10, Assistant Chief MacCue presented as a featured speaker on a crucial panel titled Before the Ambulance Arrives: Reimagining the Role of First Responders in Bicyclist & Pedestrian Safety.
Emergency responders are the first line of care following severe crashes, and their immediate interventions play a decisive role in long-term patient outcomes. During the session, MacCue joined traffic safety specialists, researchers, and municipal leaders to examine the specific advancements in post-crash care tailored for bicyclist and pedestrian incidents. The conversation explored the evolving landscape of emergency services and how agencies can proactively improve safety for these highly vulnerable road users.
A significant portion of the panel focused on cross-disciplinary collaboration. By working closely with first responders, community planners and traffic safety advocates can integrate EMS insights to shape more effective pedestrian and bicycle safety programs. Assistant Chief MacCue brought vital perspective from daily operations in the Town of Colonie, highlighting how on-the-ground emergency response data and experiences should actively inform local infrastructure and safety education.
The well-attended session, moderated by Nicole Osuna of the California Office of Traffic Safety, also featured expertise from Dr. Mike Wilson of the Berkeley Disaster and Fire Safety Commission, and Michelle Reyes from the University of Iowa's Driving Safety Research Institute.
Participating in national forums like the Lifesavers Conference allows local EMS leadership to exchange cutting-edge strategies with experts from across the country. It reinforces the commitment of Colonie EMS to not just respond to emergencies, but to actively participate in the systemic changes that prevent them. By sharing local insights and learning from broader national trends, the department continues to enhance the standard of care and advocate for the safety of everyone navigating our roadways.