Paramedics and emergency responders risk their lives every day to help save many of ours.

WYMT’s Marie Luby rode along with a paramedic who says there are simple things you can do to return the favor.

Paramedics like Chris McCown put their lives on the line every day to help save others.

“With the accident that happened yesterday, it's really got me thinking; I'm sure it has some of the other professionals,” McCown said.

McCown says when drivers' attention shifts from the road to an accident scene, it's harder for everyone to follow state law and move over to the lane furthest from the shoulder, so emergency workers can do their jobs as safely as possible.

“With people not paying attention, they're very likely to possibly hit somebody beside the road or hit another vehicle that's slowed down to look also,” McCown said.

McCown says careful driving is just half the equation; he wants to see more safety requirements for fire, police, and ambulance services.

“Potentially put into place protocols or even laws that mandate to have someone from one of those departments so far away on each side of a wreck to spot and keep an eye out for vehicles that are moving too fast,” McCown said.

McCown says he plans to try and set up a meeting with emergency departments across the region, to come up with ways to keep them all safer on the job.

Officials say when you're driving you should also avoid distractions like talking on your cell phone, texting, or surfing radio channels.