Traffic Incident Management

TIM Responder Training Course

The National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training course was developed by responders for responders and provides a common platform for training on TIM standards and good practices. The overall purpose of the training is to enhance quick clearance efforts and improve the safety of responders and motorists. The course covers the following nine lessons:

1. Introduction: definition of TIM and the dangers encountered when responding to incidents


2. TIM Fundamentals and Terminology: safe, quick clearance goals and supporting legislation, and common response terminology


3. Notification and Scene Size-Up: roles and responsibilities of public safety communications centers and transportation management centers, and scene size-up reporting


4. Safe Vehicle Positioning: safe-positioning of vehicles, blocking, and safe practices for avoiding the zero buffer


5. Scene Safety: emergency vehicle markings, emergency-vehicle lighting, and use of high-visibility safety apparel


6. Command Responsibilities: high-level review of the Incident Command System (ICS)


7. Traffic Management: components of a Traffic Incident Management Area, proper use of traffic control devices


8. Special Circumstances: vehicle fires, hazardous materials, vehicle fluid spills, and crash investigations


9. Clearance and Termination: quick clearance strategies, towing and recovery communications, and incident termination

The target audience for the training is individuals from all TIM disciplines, including: Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, Emergency Medical Service, Towing and Recovery, Emergency Management, Communications, and Transportation/Public Works.

• Training schedules can be viewed on the Calendar page.
• If you are interested in scheduling a training session or taking a training course, please direct questions to Shawn Kinney at: FloridaTIM@dot.state.fl.us

Web-based Training

FHWA launched the SHRP2 TIM Responder Web-based Training (WBT) through its training arm, the National Highway Institute (NHI) in October 2014. The WBT is a good alternative for emergency responders unable to attend in-person classes. The course is free, has 10 modules and takes approximately 4 hours to complete but can be taken one module at a time. Students do need to complete the module they are taking in one sitting or else they will be required to repeat that module when they log back in. The modules are narrated and include knowledge check questions. To receive a completion certificate, students are required to score 70% or higher on the 30 question final exam. Students are also prompted to complete a course evaluation prior to being able to print their course certificate.

• Access the NHI website to register for web-based responder training.

Resources for TIM Trainers

To support the national network of TIM trainers, FHWA has established a TIM Training SharePoint Site. To access the site trainers have to create an account on the FHWA External Portal and then request access to the TIM Training Program closed site. Only individuals that have attended a TIM Train-the-Trainer session are granted access to the site.

The FHWA External Portal can be accessed here

Following is a summary of the main components of the TIM Training Program site:

• Training Materials: Trainers can access and download all training materials on this page, including the TIM training PowerPoint presentations, videos, trainer guides, blank completion certificates, and tabletop exercise materials.
• Training Attendance Form: After each responder training session taught, trainers should use this page to enter a training record. The following information is requested for each training session: training state, county, and city, training date, trainer name(s), the number of participants by discipline, and selection of what materials were taught (i.e., 4-hour version, full version, or individual lessons).
• My Dashboard: The dashboard allows users to view all of the training records they have submitted through the Training Attendance Form. From this page, users can edit and, if necessary, delete their training records.
• Training Attendance Summary Report: Users can view all existing training records using the Training Attendance Summary Report. The report can be filtered, typically by state, and sorted using the down arrow next to each column header.

Should you need any assistance accessing the site, the TIM Training HELPDesk is available Monday-Friday, 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (eastern).

HELPDesk Telephone: (414) 410-6808

HELPDesk Email: FHWATIMTraining@hntb.com

Print Resources

• Move It Card (English) (PDF, 370 KB); (Spanish) (PDF, 390 KB)
• Move It Tri-Fold (English) (PDF, 202 KB); (Spanish) (PDF, 218 KB)
• Guidelines: Florida’s Open Roads Policy (PDF, 4.4 MB)
  This agreement establishes a policy for Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) personnel to expedite the removal of vehicles, cargo, and debris from roadways on the State Highway System to restore, in an URGENT MANNER the safe and orderly flow of traffic following a motor vehicle crash or incident on Florida’s roadways.
• Guidelines: Mitigation of Accidental Discharges of Motor Vehicle Fluids (PDF, 134 KB)
• Guidelines: Mitigation of Vehicle Fluid Spills tip card (PDF, 408 KB)
  The operation of any motor vehicle or commercial vehicles requires an array of fluids such as oil, gas or diesel fuel, grease, antifreeze and other fluids. In crashes many times, these fluids are released. The Mitigation of Accidental Discharges of Motor Vehicle Fluids guidelines were developed to provide responders with information regarding the clean-up of these fluids.
• Multi-Lingual Instruction Sheet for Pushing Vehicles (PDF, 337 KB)

Computer/Web Resources

• CBT: MOT for Incident Responders (http://wbt.dot.state.fl.us/ois/MOTTIRCBT/index.htm)
  Another training course offered by the Department is Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) for Incident Responders. This course was developed for the Department by the University of South Florida’s - Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR). This classroom based course has been converted into a computer based training (CBT) course. The classroom based course is periodically offered at the District level and is taught by members of the Department of Transportation. Please note that this training was developed for emergency responders and others that do not need the standard MOT training.
• Access the NHI website for information regarding available web-based training.

Video Resources

• Video: The Many HATS (MPE, 184.2 MB)
  The Many HATS of Highway Incident Management video is an excellent training tool, as it outlines many of the experiences that we have encountered. This view of the incident management process reminds us all to focus on our assigned roles during the incident.
• Video: Your Vest Won't Stop This Bullet (WMV, 79.2 MB)
  This video is a key reminder of the consequences that can occur to anyone working along the highways whether it’s a traffic stop, motorist assistance or emergency medical aid. Please remember that officers, highway workers and other emergency personnel are injured almost every day while working on or near the roadways.
• Video: TIMe 4 Safety
  TIMe 4 Safety is a Traffic Incident Management video training guide for Responders.
  • Module 1: Introduction (WMV, 58.3 MB)
  • Module 2: TIM Basics (WMV, 53.4 MB)
  • Module 3: Tools (WMV, 58.2 MB)
  • Module 4: At the Scene (WMV, 62.7 MB)
  • Module 5: Action Review (WMV, 87 MB)
  • Handbook: TIMe 4 Safety (PDF, 7.5 MB)
• Video: Manage to Survive - TIM for First Responders (WMV, 157.1 MB)
  This video captures the essence of collaboration and communication among “first responders” and uses the National Unified Goal or NUG for Traffic Incident Management as the foundation for improving the safety of Responders.