View from the Street * November 2014

By Eric Reddeck, NFFF * Everyone Goes Home Advocate, HRFSOC@cox.net 

I recently spoke to Bernie Wagenblast of Transportation Radio (http://www.TransportationRadio.com) and asked him how first responders can better assist the public via Traffic Reporters.

Bernie shared, “I’ve had the good fortune to be on both the public sector and the traffic reporting side of traffic incident management during my career, and I think that’s given me an unusual view of how both groups view TIM and see each other. While public agencies can communicate directly with the public through tools such as DMS, 511, and HAR, the numbers those devices reach pale in comparison to the number of drivers traffic reporters can reach via their broadcasts. I think the best way first responders can assist the public via traffic reporters is by providing what information they have as soon as possible after they become aware of it. Traffic reporters don’t need information on incidents that don’t impact traffic, but letting them know some details, such as whether a tow truck is required or if an investigation will take place, allows them to tell the public how serious the incident is and whether they should plan on changing their plans. Responders should also consider building relationships with traffic reporters outside of incident times so that the reporters can be used to communicate other important messages, such as the ‘move over’ laws.”

Police Officers   97   http://www.odmp.org/search/year/2014?ref=sidebar

Firefighters        73   http://apps.usfa.fema.gov/firefighter-fatalities/

EMS                      05   http://www.nemsms.org/notices.htm

Towers                 12  http://www.internationaltowingmuseum.org

– TIM Network    http://timnetwork.org/
– FHWA Traffic Incident Management http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/eto_tim_pse/about/tim.htm
– Responder Safety Learning Network    http://learning.respondersafety.com/
– NFFF Fire Learning Network     http://www.fireherolearningnetwork.com/
– IACP * Police Officer Safety  http://www.theiacp.org/CenterforOfficerSafetyandWellness
– Towing and Recovery Association of America      http://www.towserver.net/
– Safe Highways   http://www.safehighways.org/
– TIM NETWORK  Facebook    National Traffic Incident Management Coalition
– IAFF Health, Safety, Medicine   http://www.iaff.org/hs/index.htm
– NFPA 1500 Health and Safety    http://www.vfis.com/documents/NFPA1500.pdf
– VFIS    http://www.vfis.com/additional-materials-downloads.htm

Eric Reddeck   hrfsoc@cox.net
NFFF Everyone Goes Home Advocate  http://www.everyonegoeshome.com