If you look under the Training tab there is a new page on TIM training. We don’t usually spend a lot of time on the roadways, but it does happen and it is likely at some point when we respond to an incident or emergency that we will need to be in the roadway environment at least for a little time to complete an assignment. In most cases, it will be deploying a roadside asset, either a towable or a standalone. In these instances, it is critically important to practice good roadway safety.
TIM, or Traffic Incident Management, is an important training resource to help us maintain the highest level of safety in this environment. It doesn’t hurt that after TIM certification you will have some of the same training other responders are required to have. It helps interagency communication while in the roadway environment.
The roadway environment is constantly fraught with potential danger. As an example, Responder Safety posts annual reports on fatalities of responders in the roadway environment, and in 2021 the Emergency Responder Struck-by-Vehicle Fatalities report shows 65 responders were killed.
This report includes law enforcement, fire / EMS, tow operators, road service technicians, and DOT / SSP personnel. It does not reflect road crews for municipalities, power companies, communications companies, general construction, or volunteer responders such as ARES or CERT, these increases this number.
Fortunately, we have an online resource that provides National TIM Certificate training for everyone who is likely to find themselves doing work on the nation’s roadways. Responder Safety has a nationally recognized TIM certificate training program available to anyone interested, at no cost.
It is highly recommended that all ARES personnel complete the National TIM Certification training at least once, preferably every few years. This training could save your life on deployment.