But, What is the H.E.R.O. Program?
The Highway Emergency Response Operators program is a freeway service patrol operated in metro Atlanta, USA by the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). It is a part of GDOT's Office of Traffic Operations. Both the program and the individual vehicles are typically referred to by the acronym HERO. The program began in Atlanta in 1994 and has since been expanded in association with GDOT's Navigator Intelligent Transportation System program.
The HERO unit's primary purpose is to minimize traffic congestion by clearing wrecked or disabled vehicles from the roadway lanes and providing traffic control at incident scenes. As a secondary service, HERO's function as a service patrol; assisting stranded motorists who may have a flat tire or are out of fuel. In addition to their normal duties in metro Atlanta, HEROs have been deployed in the past to assist with traffic control at the The Master golf tournament in Augusta, Georgia and along Interstates 75 and 16 during hurricane evacuations.
HERO truck operators are GDOT employees, distinguishing the program from freeway service patrols in other states, such as California, which are operated under contract by private tow truck companies. The HERO day is split into four shifts - Alpha (morning), Beta (afternoon), Charlie (weekend) and Delta (overnight). The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Typically, HEROs work between 55,000 and 60,000 incidents per year.
Motorists needing HERO assistance may dial 511 (and press 1) to reach a HERO dispatcher. 511 is also the number for general traffic information throughout the state of Georgia.
17 comments:
They don't do what they're saying...
My wife was late at work after she got a flat tire right 1/2 mile away from HERO's parking and after she called 911 and they said that somebody was coming to replace the tire.45 min passed and i've got there(I-85-S exit 86)from Gwinnett county(Lawrenceville)and all 5 or 6 ''HERO'' vehicles that passed by didn't stop.What kind of service they perform?IT was to hot maybe for them to get out of the nice clima they have in theyr cabin.THEY WASTE MONEY ON GAS DRIVING AROUND FOR NAOTHING.
I just want to say thanks for the flat service assistance on 11/16 on the 285 S corridor. I was preparing to call AAA and HERO pulled up. Very nice service providers, and explained how the service works (calling 511).
To the anonymous commenter lady that call 911 for a flat tire, in my opinion this lady should be arrested for abusing the 911 system the only responder should have been a GA state trooper.
I had a flat tire on I-285 Outer Loop, just after Spaghetti Junction, and called my husband and then 511.
Terry M. in truck 532 arrived within 5-10 minutes. Not only was he friendly, he was efficient and professional. He changed my tire as my husband arrived.
I have to tell you that the sight of that yellow truck pulling up behind me was truly wonderful.
That day, I had TWO knights in shining armour!
Thank you to H.E.R.O. for changing my son's tire within 5 minutes after his flat on hwy 85. Before I could even get them on the phone they were already at the scene and are greatly appreciated by my family. Its a great program, and makes the roads much safer! You are our Hero!
I just wanted to say thank-you to the HERO driver for changing my tire yesterday.6/17
I didn't get his name but he
was very fast, professional and
caring. I was near I-285 and Spaghetti Junction just after Buford hwy. What a great service.
Thanks again
Jackie b.
Thanks so much for Dwayne Simpson , from the H.E.R.O unit. Badge #578. He did an excellent job changing our flat tire on I285 today at about 2:30 - 3pm 8/19/13. He was fast, polite and efficient with helping to move our vehicle from the left side of the highway to the right to change our flat tire. Me and my friend,Theresa C.were so very THANKFUL!!!!! We love what you all do to make it safe for ladies like ourselves. We called AAA but they never got there as quick as H.E.R.O did. THANK YOU HERO from the bottom of our hearts. WE LOVE YOU!!!!!! And Mr. SIMPSON you are WONDERFUL. WE LOVE YOU MUCH!!!!!
Deloris C. & Theresa C.
I was on my way home when from work when I had a flat. A hero came up and fix my tire in 5 minutes flat!!! I have nothing but good things to say about this company. I thank you guys for all you do....
Alvin S.
I was on my way home when from work when I had a flat. A hero came up and fix my tire in 5 minutes flat!!! I have nothing but good things to say about this company. I thank you guys for all you do....
Alvin S.
Stuck on 85s right now awaiting my husband at 5:00am. Why? Simply because I just called 511 and dispatch informed me that the trucks dont start until 8:00am. Ummm I know I just read in plain english that H.E.R.O operates 24/7. What did I miss here?
The day that Mayor Bill Campbell announced the creation of the HERO program was the proudest day of my life. Allow me to elaborate a bit.
I lived right outside Lawrenceville at the time and had my own refrigeration service company. When driving to and from service calls over the metro area, I would stop and help stranded motorists. I had tools and no boss, so it made it easy for me to help people. Over several years, I helped a lot of people. I changed tires, boosted dead batteries, loaned my cell phone for people to call someone to come help them, etc.
My wife always called me her Knight in Shining Armor, so as a joke, I printed a bunch of business cards with nothing but Knight in Shining Armor on them. No phone number or any other info to identify me. After I would help someone, they would always offer to pay me for getting them out of a bind, but I never accepted any money. However, I would always hand them my calling card. It always gave the person a laugh and helped them feel better.
Periodically, there would be a news story about the mysterious Knight in Shining Armor, but I never divulged who I was. I never wanted the recognition. I did not help people for money or recognition. I did it because it made me feel good. I did it because I have been stranded on the side of the road and I know how helpless it makes you feel to be in that situation.
One evening, I was watching the news and the Mayor was making a big deal about announcing something that would help to make Atlanta an Olympic City. This has been 20 years, so I will try to get as close to what he said as possible, but I cannot quote him exactly. He said that over the past few years Atlanta has had a mystery man who stopped and helped stranded motorists. He goes by the name of Knight in Shining Armor. Sir, I don't know who you are, but a couple of our Atlanta Police officers say they know you personally and they refused to give me your name. Sir, I just want you to know that you have made a difference for our city. You set an example of what we need to do to make this city Olympic ready. If a motorist is stranded on our highways, we need to make sure that they have help available for them. How can we be an Olympic city if we can't even do this one simple thing? The camera panned over to a brand new H.E.R.O. truck. The mayor said, we thought it would be rude to take your name, so we came up with our Highway Emergency Response Operator or HERO, for short. Sir, I just want to thank you for making a difference.
Immediately, the phone is ringing. My best friend is yelling, "Did you see the mayor talking about you on TV? You're superhero famous!"
Yes, that was the proudest day of my life. After 20 years, I guess I can go ahead and divulge my secret identity.
Thanks for taking the time to read my confession,
Wilson Phillips
Natchez, MS
Im in school to be an EMT/AEMT. I would love to work on a HERO truck, do HERO units handle emergency calls or jusy things like flat tires and dead batteries?? Can anyone answer this for me? Thanks
Im in school to be an EMT/AEMT. I would love to work on a HERO truck, do HERO units handle emergency calls or jusy things like flat tires and dead batteries?? Can anyone answer this for me? Thanks
My daughter and I want to thank the HERO who went above and beyond to help change our flat tire on I-75 8 miles or so south of Tifton today (April 13!.) We felt terrible that we didn't get his name and truck number so we could write a letter to whoever he works for. We didn't know about this program at the time but we were on the side of the busy highway only 10 minutes or so when he pulled up. We had a stubborn spare that hadn't been used in 13 years and he stuck with it until he got it free. Then he changed the tire and we were on our way with directions to the next couple of tire places down the road. He was professional, personable and efficient. We thank him from the bottom of our hearts.
While traveling I-85 southbound through Atlanta last Friday evening we encountered two of Georgia's so called Hero's. They were working an Fender Bender in a left hand merge lane,I was 4 lanes over to the right and traffic was moving at normal speed when the truck in front of me hit his brakes and started to swerve, I also swerved onto the right hand shoulder and came to a stop. As I looked to see what was going on I saw the two Zero's standing in the road holding road flares and screaming at the cars, one of the two than threw his flare at me hitting my truck. I have been driving for over forty years and have NEVER witnessed the unprofessionalism demonstrated by these men. As it turned out they were trying to stop traffic to allow the accident vehicles to cross the road, there was no emergency, there were no hazards in the road. There are better ways to stop traffic, as i looked around most of the cars were turned to the side or off the road trying to avoid hitting the men or other cars. If there had been a cop on the scene I would have probably filled charges, when I rolled down my window to question the Zero and get his name he turned, ran back to his truck and drove away leaving the other worker to clear the traffic. Since there was no damage to my truck I am going to let it go and move on. I realize that this can be a tough job, I don't know how much,if any training these guys get but I suggest you do a better job of training and screening these people. This situation came very close to exulting into something much bigger than the fender bender it started out to be. I wonder how receptive I will be to respond to there commands on my next trip through Atlanta.
i learned that metro atlanta h.e.r.o. is not accessible for deaf drivers to text for help. yikes.
Just wish that they were state wide.
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