Comments from Oregon TIM Program Coordinator

As always we are excited to bring you another edition of Oregon’s TIM newsletter. Recently, we were struck by the fact that some may not know who “we” are, which is why I asked our core team to take a picture. Not surprisingly, our core team pushed back, especially since I hadn’t planned on appearing in said photo. Conditions were promptly set — it is “all or nothing” so I reluctantly joined, promptly securing a position in the back row while donning sunglasses (yes, Oregon has had a sunny day this year). Despite my general lack of enthusiasm for being in photos and the flack that I am receiving for the “shades” I am very happy to introduce and honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with four very talented individuals. They bring insight, passion, creativity and commitment to our newsletter, which we then are able to share with thousands of TIM responders and TIM advocates across the nation. Thank you Jessica McGraw, Janelle Woodring, Brandon Mitchell and Jeremy Laduke — you all are welcome around my campfire any time! 

Darin A. Weaver, Oregon TIM Program

2018 Oregon HAZMAT Response Teams Conference Oregon Hazardous Materials Response Teams and ODOT collaborate to host sessions. Generally speaking, the more complex the incident, the greater the need for inter-agency collaboration in response. Hazardous material incidents often require a significant amount of resources which dictates an increased level of collaboration and coordination to ensure that we employ resources safely and as efficiently as possible. Collaboration doesn’t happen by accident—it cannot happen without effort and it will not happen if we do not collectively create opportunities to foster its growth. With this in mind, ODOT and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Hazardous Materials Teams have partnered to deliver three sessions during the 2018 Oregon HAZMAT Response Teams Conference. The conference is April 16, 2018 to April 19th, 2018 at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Oregon. “We will discuss recent response activities across the state to improve our attendees’ understanding of each agency’s role and how they complement one another,” explains Oregon TIM Program Coordinator Darin Weaver. “We will also identify action items our attendees can do when they return to their areas to help promote a collaborative working relationship.” Look for follow up photos and commentary in a future issue of our newsletter.

Performance Measures

This month we highlight a subset of data from our TIM performance measures: a first quarter comparison of lane blocking crashes and their roadway clearance time. “Roadway Clearance” is calculated from the time we are aware of an incident to the time it takes us to open all affected lanes or clear the roadway.

The first quarter of 2017 brought a spike in the number of incidents. Harsher winter conditions that we experienced during this time were likely a strong influence, which also increased clearance times. 

Importantly, during the first quarter of 2018, lane blocking crash numbers were down and our on-scene efficiency, clearing lanes and reopening the roadway improved by eight minutes. That may not sound like much time to the average member of the general public, but we know that every minute we shave off a scene or lane closure means we’re decreasing the chances of road users and responders being injured or killed in secondary crashes. 

A commitment by TIM responders across the state can move these numbers. If you didn’t get a chance to see the year in review, click here. If you’d like more information on how to “move the numbers” in your area reach out to our TIM program contacts listed throughout the newsletter.

Oregon to Host Seventh TIM Responder Train the Trainer Course

Want to help shape response efforts across Oregon?

Oregon’s TIM Program is hosting our seventh TIM Responder Train the Trainer program

The target audience for this course is experienced trainers from Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Towing and Recovery*, Emergency Management, Dispatch/Communications and Highway/Transportation who are willing and able to assist with the ongoing delivery of TIM Responder training in Oregon. If this describes you then we would love to welcome you to our team! 

Click the training button below or go to this link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oregon-traffic-incident-management-tim-train-the-trainer-event-tickets-43567012106

*Oregon’s TIM program works closely with the Oregon Tow Truck Association (OTTA) and OSP to ensure that we promote TIM strategies in a consistent and unified manner throughout the Tow industry across Oregon. To become an Oregon TIM trainer we respectfully ask that towing professionals receive nomination and support from the OTTA and OSP Patrol Division.

For questions concerning this event please contact:

Darin Weaver

ODOT, Oregon TIM Program Coordinator

Phone: 503-986-6613

Darin.A.Weaver@ODOT.state.or.us

Justin Guinan

ODOT, Assistant TIM Program Coordinator

Phone: 503-986-3475

Justin.Guinan@ODOT.state.or.us

Oregon TIM Responder Spotlight:  Trooper Mercado, Oregon State Police—Baker City

Baker City Oregon is a town rich in history. A visit to the Baker Heritage Museum will educate you on the city’s connection to the Oregon Trail, its long lived ranching and mining past and present and for you movie buffs, some little know movie trivia about the 1969 western Paint Your Wagon, starring Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin, which was filmed just outside the city.

Modern day Baker City has many remnants of its past still visible throughout the community. Just as in times past you may still run into the occasional “weekend” miner roaming the hills or run into a third generation cattle rancher as he moves his cattle to spring pasture. But you are also just as likely to come across some of Baker County’s finest managing a highway crash along a busy section of I-84, which carves its way through the adjacent countryside.

If you are interested, as we are, in the city’s history of TIM responders you will find that from 1866 to 1870 an Irish native, James W. Virtue, served as Sheriff and was the County’s first banker and political power. Jump forward nearly 150 years, Oregon’s TIM program has had the good fortune to interact with many of the TIM responders who call the area home. Although we haven’t shaken the hand of anyone carrying the late Sheriff’s surname, we have met many men and women we feel would make him proud and who certainly demonstrate the sterling quality evoked by his family moniker. Please take a moment to get to know one of them, TIM trainer and Oregon State Police Trooper Ed Mercado.

Ed has been with the department for 20 years. Outside of work he enjoys various sports and spending time with his family like so many of us do. When asked what he enjoys most about his job Ed responded, “I enjoy interacting with the public and communicating with kids at various events, parades, school functions and the like.” We asked Ed about the challenges of the local area and what he thought was most critical to clearing an incident successfully based on his experience. “The obvious answer is the safety of all involved.”  He continued, “it is vital to have good communication and the ability for all first responders to work together. In my area, most of the first responders have worked side by side for many years. Most of us are on a first name basis. That familiarity with each other makes the process much smoother than expected. This applies to LEO, EMT, Tow, ODOT, etc.” 

Ed believes agency investments in TIM training also make a big difference in safety. “I feel that OSP has done an outstanding job in TIM Training. The agency offers great support to TIM instructors to assist ODOT in this important subject. The benefits of the safety procedures have increased. Also, the communication and familiarization with other first responders have increased.” 

We thank Ed and all of our TIM partners across the state. In this issue we’d like to extend a special thank you to the thousands of TIM responders across Oregon who meet the challenges of rural response and work hard in their communities to advance safe, quick clearance.

Hit share and help us grow!

We are all members of the TIM Team. Whether we’re first responders, transportation industry professionals or members of the “general” public, we all have a role to play in keeping our roads safe.

Not all of our TIM Trend content will resonate with everyone. Some folks enjoy performance measures (yes, it’s true), others are in it for the responder spotlight and still others like to hear about the positive impacts of local investments in TIM training and staff.  Regardless of preference, access to TIM information can power change.

Please, when you have a moment, scroll down and hit the “Share” button at the bottom of this edition. Encourage others to plug into TIM. While you’re at it, like and follow us on Facebook! Thank you!

-Oregon’s TIM Team