New Jersey reaches 9,000 first responders trained in Traffic Incident Management
Latest milestone coincides with National Traffic Incident Response Week
(Trenton) - As part of National Traffic Incident Response week, November 13 – 19, New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) officials announced today they have trained more than 9,000 first responders in Traffic Incident Management (TIM) across the state.
New Jersey is a leading state in TIM Responder Training which brings police, firefighters, medical personnel, DOT, towing, and other incident responders together to engage in interactive, hands-on incident resolution exercises. With the completion of a “Train the Trainer” class held Middlesex County that brought 165 responders together from 134 different response agencies, New Jersey has reached a new milestone of 9,000 first responders trained in TIM.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently recognized NJDOT for TIM Training Best Practices related to the creation of training videos and NJDOT’s comprehensive website, NJTIM.org.
The TIM training program focuses on response efforts that protect both motorists and responders at the scene of a crash while minimizing the impact on traffic flow. Multiple agencies working together is a critical factor to safely and quickly responding to and clearing incidents. Each year the average number of responders struck and killed nationally while working in or near moving traffic are:
- Fire/Rescue and EMS: 6 to 8 each year
- Law Enforcement: 10 to 12 each year
- Tow/Recovery: 50 each year
- DOTs, Public Works, and Safety Service Patrols: 100 killed each year, and 20,000 injured
National Traffic Incident Response week aims to increase awareness surrounding the dangers first responders face at traffic incidents on our roads every single day of the year. The New Jersey Move Over Law (New Jersey Statute 39:4-92.2) requires motorists to “Move Over” and change lanes or slow down to provide a safer work environment for all first responders and authorized emergency vehicles on New Jersey roads.
For information about New Jersey’s Traffic Incident Management (TIM) program, or for responders looking to receive this free training, visit NJTIM.org.
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