The Responder
Volume 2 Issue 4
Message from TIM Network Liaison
This month the TIM Network will surpass 600 members. This continues to be a testament to the need for TIM information. We are proud that you invite us into your TIM discussion and find it reasonable and usable to spread the word. Each month, please send this to one person that doesn’t belong to the Network and ask them to join. Likewise, if you have ideas about how we can reach out in your area, please feel free to contact me.
Please to add your TIM Team highlight to the Responder, send us:
o The team coverage area
o How often you meet and what time of day
o What disciplines are represented
o The most recent agenda and meeting minutes
o Any relevant lessons learned or recent innovations
o Any information that would be helpful from the TIM Network
o Anything else that you would like to highlight about your team.
As always, forward, print and post The Responder and please email all suggestions and content to erensel@gfnet.com.
Eric E. Rensel
The Chairperson’s Office – Third Generation TIM
John Corbin is the Chair of the NTIMC. He works for the Wisconsin State DOT
The Next Generation of the national Traffic Incident Management initiative has emerged, and it is being defined by the TIM Network. The first generation of national TIM was characterized in the 1980’s and 1990’s by the appearance of several model TIM programs at regional and state levels. The second generation of national TIM recognized the need to promote these TIM programs through a national organization – the National TIM Coalition, and a National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management. This third generation of national vision and leadership returns its emphasis and its expectations to you – the public safety and transportation professionals that build effective partnerships, sustain performance-driven programs, and continuously and innovatively evolve the practice of traffic incident management at local, regional, and state levels.
This generation of national TIM development will be led by and will actively serve state and local practitioners through a Transportation Operations Knowledge Management System, and an Operations Network of Excellence – both of which are being created through current national transportation research projects. Progress will be measured through state and national TIM performance measures, including a National Responder Struck-by Incident Reporting System. A National TIM Framework will continue to more consistently extend the efficiencies of the National Incident Management System and the Incident Command System into responses to all traffic incidents on our highway system. Multi-disciplinary TIM responder training will standardize the preparation of transportation and public safety professionals to work as an integrated team in rescuing victims, investigating crashes, and clearing traffic incidents – all while ensuring the safety of responders and other workers on the highway.
This new generation of TIM is exciting – and our joint expectations of it are intense. Upon returning from a recent meeting of a national group committed to TIM, I received word that one of the leaders of that group had lost a law enforcement friend in a struck-by incident the very next day. While the sympathies that were subsequently shared reflected the warmth and concern of the national TIM community, it all was a brutal reminder that so much more needs to be done. Another home had been gripped by tragedy, another team of committed responders had been devastated, and another local community had lost one of its most vital members.
Our progress cannot be slowed. We must intensify our joint commitment to responder safety, safe and quick clearance, and prompt reliable and interoperable communication. We are fighting a good fight, but until everyone goes home we have not won.
3 Questions with Chief Grady Carrick, Florida Highway Patrol
Chief Carrick is the Northern Regional Commander of the Florida Highway Patrol
Q1: What are the current requirements for responder visibility?
The 2009 Manual on Unified Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) provides standards for use by emergency response personnel, Section 6D.03: All workers, including emergency responders, within the right-of-way who are exposed either to traffic (vehicles using the highway for purposes of travel) or to work vehicles and construction equipment within the TTC zone shall wear high-visibility safety apparel that meets the Performance Class 2 or 3 requirements of the ANSI/ISEA 107–2004 publication entitled “American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear” (see Section 1A.11), or equivalent revisions, and labeled as meeting the ANSI 107-2004 standard performance for Class 2 or 3 risk exposure, except as provided in Paragraph 5. A person designated by the employer to be responsible for worker safety shall make the selection of the appropriate class of garment. The section goes onto say that firefighters and other responders shall meet the standard except engaged in emergency operations that directly expose them to flame, fire, heat, and/or hazardous materials may wear retroreflective turnout gear that is specified and regulated by other organizations, such as the National Fire Protection Association.
Section 6E.02 provides additional descriptions and requirements for the specific requirements of the garments.
The publishing of the 2009 MUTCD led to the rescinding of title 23 CFR part 634 which only required these standards for first responders when working on a Federal Aid highway.
Federal law was enacted in November of 2008 that required any person working within the right of way wear an ANSI/ISEA 107 (2004) approved class 2 or 3 high visibility garment. 23 CFR 634 was enacted to reduce the number of deaths and injuries to highway workers (including responders). A label on the vest indicates it’s classification. A newer “Public Safety Vest” (ANSI standard 207-2006) is also compliant, and it provides easier access to gunbelts and other responder tools worn on the belt. Vests should be fluorescent green and/or orange with appropriate reflective properties, provide 360 degree visibility and 5-point breakaway qualities to prevent them from snagging a passing vehicle or being grabbed by a violator.
Q2: So what does that mean exactly?
Unless you are chasing a criminal or conducting a traffic stop (current exemptions in the law), you should be wearing your traffic vest out of your vehicle when near a roadway.
Q3: Where should I go to get more information?
Respondersafety.org is an excellent source for information about the vest requirements for incident responders.
Technical Corner – Scene Safety(“Death in the Line of Duty – A summary of a NIOSH fire fighter fatality investigation, February 28, 2011”)
On February 12, 2010, a 62-year-old male volunteer fire police captain (the victim) was fatally injured when he was struck by a motor vehicle while positioned at a controlled intersection. The victim was dispatched to the scene of a motor vehicle incident to control traffic. He had placed 5 warning devices (lime green traffic cones) across the two-lane roadway and lighted a flare adjacent to the traffic cones. A short time later, as he was standing near the middle of the blocked-off roadway with his back to oncoming traffic, a motor vehicle ran through and over the cones striking him. After initial first aid was administered by two volunteer fire fighters, the victim was transported to the local hospital by ambulance where he was pronounced dead about 2 ½ hours later. Contributing Factors
- no advance warning to motorists of the blocked-off roadway
- the inconspicuousness of the victim
- the victim had his back to oncoming traffic.
Key Recommendations
- ensure that the placement of warning devices (portable signs, traffic cones, flares and portable changeable message signs) informs drivers of what to expect when approaching an incident scene
- ensure that personnel controlling traffic wear high visibility apparel and helmets
- ensure that standard operating guidelines include guidance on identifying and maintaining a safe location while working in or near moving traffic
- ensure that a personnel accountability system is in place and adhered to during emergency operations
- utilize state and local departments of transportation for additional resources
- consider participating in the establishment of local traffic incident management committees.
Additionally, incident management agencies (e.g. departments of transportation) should
- consider disseminating traffic control and road condition information to motorists utilizing local commercial and public radio and television broadcasts.
Fire service representatives and interested parties should
- participate in the development of new safety standards to reduce the risk to emergency personnel providing traffic control at emergency incidents.
FHWA ETO Update
Extra! Extra! - Emergency Transportation Operations Publications
The Office of Emergency Transportation Operations has extra copies of recently printed publications, available to transportation professionals. If you are interested in receiving copies of these publications, please contact the Traffic Incident Management Publications Manager, Karla Bloch, at Karla.Bloch@dot.gov. Please include your shipping address, the title(s) and the number of publications requested.
Field Operators Guide for Safety/Service Patrols
The Field Operators Guide for Safety/Service Patrols is specifically catered towards safety/service patrol operators and supervisors. This guide is expected to be used by safety/service professionals as a quick reference tool while performing patrol tasks. Reference to this guide is suggested on a regular basis to act as a refresher on steps and tasks associated with managing incidents- particularly the ones that are not encountered on a daily basis. This guide is designed to be supplemental to customary training and exercises that will familiarize the safety/service patrol operators with the good practices as well as agency-wide formal standard operating guidelines and procedures.
2010 Traffic Incident Management Handbook
The 2010 Traffic Incident Management Handbook is a reference source on essential traffic incident management information. The handbook includes a detailed overview of Traffic Incident Management and offers insights into the latest innovations in TIM tools and technologies. This handbook is essential for all transportation professionals in the traffic incident management field and is useful in building a successful TIM program.
Complete Listing of Publications
To see a complete listing of Traffic Incident Management publications, please visit the ETO publications page http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/eto_tim_pse/publications/index.htm and browse through our complete listing of transportation related publications. If you have any questions, please contact Kimberly Vasconez, Emergency Transportation Operations Team Leader at Kimberly.Vasconez@dot.gov
News and Notes
o Jack Sullivan, Emergency Responder Safety Institute and Dennis Blair, Alabama State EMS Director will represent the NTIMC/TIM Network on an upcoming Transportation Research Board Project on the development of
· 2010 LODD
o Police Officers – 162
o Fire Fighters – 86
o EMS - 34
· 2011 LODD
o Towing and Recovery – have a source? Let me know.
Upcoming Events
· You can now view all meetings on the TIM Network Website http://sites.google.com/site/timnetworksite/Calendar
o North Texas TIM Managers Course, Arlington TX, Apr 11-12
o FHWA Advanced TIM Workshop, Sacramento CA, Apr 12-13
o Northern Area TIM Meeting, Front Royal VA, Apr 13, 10am-12pm
o Central Area/Afton TIM Team Meeting, Harrisonburg VA, Apr 14, 10am-12pm
o Quarterly TIME Task Force Meeting, Atlanta GA, Apr 19, 10am-1pm, Register here
o Bay Area TIM Workshop – Southern Area, San Mateo CA, Apr 21, 9am-1pm
o EMS On the Hill, Washington DC, May 3-4
o NASEMSO 2011 Mid-year Meeting, Annapolis MD, May 3-5
Your event not shown? Email it to erensel@gfnet.com
Are you scheduling a TIM meeting or conference? If so, let us help with electronic registration. The TIM Network will setup a specific electronic registration for your event, provide you with the link and provide you with the meeting roster. All attendee information is safe and secure and will not be distributed. Email me to find out how to use electronic meeting registration from the TIM Network.
Getting Involved
