Transportation Department Hosts First-Ever National Day of Crash Responder Training to Save Lives on American Roads

Source: USDOT

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) hosted its first-ever National Day of Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training this week to save lives on American roads. The Trump Administration has committed to train one million first responders with FHWA’s life-saving program.

More than 100 law enforcement officers, first responders, and state and local transportation officials gathered at USDOT to complete the four‑hour TIM training course, which promotes proven practices that support the rapid and safe clearance of roadway incidents.

“The Trump Administration has the backs of our brave law enforcement and crash first responders who play a critical role in keeping American families safe,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “This Department is committed to reaching our goal of training one million responders to ensure that every safety professional who puts their life on the line to save others can get back home to their families.”

Deputy Secretary of Transportation Steven Bradbury and Federal Highway Administrator Sean McMaster hosted more than 100 first responders and law enforcement officers at USDOT Headquarters for a first-ever day of traffic incident management training.

“Under Secretary Duffy’s leadership, the Department is prioritizing safety for law enforcement and first responders and getting back to basics,” said FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster.“One of the most powerful ways to achieve this goal is through strong, effective Traffic Incident Management to protect both responders and the traveling public.”

“At NHTSA, our mission to save lives on the nation’s roads depends on vigorous traffic enforcement and effective crash responders,” said National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser.“These activities put law enforcement and first responders in harm’s way and TIM training is essential to improving safety as they do their vital work.”

“Safety is our north star at FMCSA, and that responsibility extends to those working crash scenes,” said Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Chief Counsel Rebecca Pettit.“When responders are well-trained and coordinated, we reduce risk, prevent secondary crashes, and save lives. That’s why efforts like Traffic Incident Management training are so critical.”

FHWA’s TIM training teaches police, firefighters, highway workers, paramedics, and towing personnel best practices for safe, coordinated crash response, quick scene clearance, improved communication, and prevention of secondary crashes. More than 869,000 responders have been trained with TIM training. More information on TIM can be found here.  

Additional Information:

The TIM training is offered at no cost, and participants can choose from several delivery options: an in‑person 4‑hour course, an online self‑paced multi-module version, or an interactive instructor‑led virtual session.

The target audience for the TIM Responder Training includes professionals in emergency management, emergency medical service, fire and rescue, law enforcement, public works, towing and recovery, transportation, safety service patrol, traffic management center, and public safety dispatch at State, regional, or local levels.