The Pennsylvania Turnpike recognized those who work every day to ensure the safe travel of the 550,000 daily customers across the turnpike system during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

“Safety is at the center of everything we do at the PA Turnpike, and we are grateful for our dispatchers and supervisors at the Traffic Operations Center who are always ready to go beyond the normal call of duty,” said turnpike Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey. “PA Turnpike drivers are never alone thanks to these dedicated professionals.”

The 36-member staff of the Turnpike Operations Center in Middletown play a critical role in the turnpike’s commitment to safety and continuously keeps an eye on activities across all 565-plus miles of turnpike roadways. The dispatchers monitor roadway conditions, construction status and weather conditions, answer calls, and coordinate with first responders and emergency services from the TOC, which also serves as the center for all PA Turnpike Incident Management activities.

“Our Traffic Operations Center dispatch staff are an extremely dedicated group of professionals who work around the clock to provide a safe driving experience for our customers,” said turnpike Director of Traffic Engineering & Operations Tom Macchione. “They receive calls from *11 and 911 and dispatch fire, emergency medical services, state police, tow trucks and hazardous materials response teams when needed.

“The PA Turnpike dispatchers are the voice of calm that our customers hear when something does not go as planned, and they are in need of help along the roadway.”

Anyone traveling the turnpike can dial *11 (or 1-800-332-3880) to report crashes, incidents or phone for emergency assistance. Calls go directly to the TOC, where turnpike dispatchers and state police are on duty 24 hours a day, every day. The turnpike staff dispatches appropriate emergency personnel to the scene.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which is celebrated annually during the second week of April, recognizes and honors the public safety telecommunicators who are the first responders to emergency calls, connecting callers to help and dispatching emergency professionals.

“It feels great to be appreciated,” said turnpike Dispatcher Ashley Zombro. “A lot of times (dispatchers) get forgotten, but the PA Turnpike doesn’t let that happen. They are very good at highlighting us and making sure that we are heard and are taken care of.

“I’m happy to be that lifeline for our customers and be a vital part in getting them the assistance they need.”

The GEICO Safety Patrol includes a fleet of dedicated Pennsylvania Turnpike personnel who report to the scene, provide traffic control and can request first responder services for drivers on the turnpike 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The GEICO Safety Patrol assisted in more than 35,000 incidents in 2024, in addition to its routine patrols. In the last year, team members have supported the birth of babies born on the turnpike, assisted a driver involved in a fiery accident and rescued injured animals on the side of the road.