Prepared for the 2009 TIME Conference “Hats of Incident Management”

Prepared for the 2009 TIME Conference

“Hats of Incident Management”

Year 2000 (has remained unchanged to last census)

Population: 307,896 Population Percent change, 1990 to 2000: +7.8% Land Area: 543 square miles Racial & Ethnic Composition: -White 76% -African American: 20% -Other Groups 4% Median Household Income $34,836 (U.S. Census

1997 model estimate) Percentage of workers driving to work alone:

80% (1990 Census).

Task Force sub committees were created: Haz-Mat to deal with fuel spills Towing & Recovery to draft changes to local

wrecker ordinance Towing &Recovery committee members

included towing community & city attorney Late 2000 a draft was ready & presented to

the Task Force for approval A Major recommendation was “Recovery

Class”

Highway Incident Task Force Convenes in Early 2000

To develop effective communication among local & state agencies that have responsibilities in responding to highway incidents. Committed to a coordinated and cooperative response to highway incidents in an efficient and effective manner, the Task Force will strive to maintain safety of the motorist and the accident responder & preserve the economic and environmental welfare of the community. The Task Force will contribute its resources through the support of state & local programs, which assist stranded motorist, relieve highway congestion, and reduce the time to clear the blockage of traffic flow due to incidents.

Q-2 of 2001 the City Wrecker board meets to set limits for law enforcement on calls within city

Charges for such calls raised to accepted priceing

Task Force draft was presented & “Recovery Class” created with little to no opposition

A Class: passenger cars & pickup trucks B Class: Medium sized trucks (Straight Bed). C Class: Heavy Duty for towing Tractor Trailers Recovery: Spilled loads, Overturns or Heavy

structural damage

Within 6 months of new ordinance C: Class claimed they could do the job as

well as Recovery Claims that C: Class were blind sided by

changes 18 month moratorium supplement was

added All C: Class & Recovery class placed on the

same list. C: Class given 18 months to purchase

Recovery Equipment.

Recovery requirements remained as/is There continued to be sporadic

discussion about the requirements & class

Claims of unfair business practices started to surface

Rumors of legal action loomed

Mid year a Knoxville Attorney (Michael McGovern) was retained by four local towing companies

Meetings were held with city officials in which claims that 30 ton straight booms could do the job as well as a Rotator

TDOT’S input was only for 90 minute performance measure

City Officials ask for Input & Clarification of the Issues, Rotator vs Straight Boom

TDOT contacted FHWA for assistance in bringing in someone to speak to City Officials

John O’Laughlin volunteered to help Gaynell Rochester with American Towing

Alliance also came in to assist Michael McGovern spoke for C: Class The general consciences was not so much

Rotators, but the need to clear the lanes as quickly as possible with training & performance Measures

90 Minutes to clear all lanes, from order to proceed

Citation to the wrecker board, consideration of future participation for failure to clear lanes

Recovery & C: Class on controlled access must meet the same performance standard

A report is filed with PD with names, agencies & reason for recovery class call out

Major Structural damage, possible spillage of cargo.

Wreckage in an uncontained state at the site of an accident

Recovery of large trucks requiring multiple items of equipment, loaders, cranes or other such

Requested by Emergency Service Provider in charge, for Life Safety

As Determined by an appropriate Official of TDOT

8 Hours of training or continuing education each 12 months.

Traffic Incident Management Work Shops MUTCD traffic control flagger training Advanced Towing & Recovery Practices Shall be familiar with quick Clearance

Practices Practices outlined in the I-95 coalition

guidelines in section FS-17 & 18 All must be approved by the wrecker board

Funding Provided by FHWA & TDOT NHI: Using the Incident Command System

at Highway Incidents All Recovery Class Towing Attended Held at the Fire Training Facility Possibility of more Training funds over

the next three years from FHWA

One licensed recovery class wrecker GVWR 7: 54,000 pounds & tandem axle 300” wheelbase 50 ton rotating boom Dual 50,000 lb. winches 80,000 lb. tow rating 1 additional Licensed C: Class or greater Own or contract equipment required in

section 8.0 of Georgia TRIPS Program.

Expansion of requirements for clean-up (fuel)

Better outline of training requirements Better avenues to obtain training Possible training funds from private sources Possible training split to address

Supervisors and Equipment Operators Third party participation or guidelines,

clean-up contractors, cargo owners, insurance adjustors

QUESTIONS ?