Chattanooga trAFFIC incident management service ordinance

1. Chattanooga trAFFIC incident management service ordinance Prepared for the 2009 TIME Conference “Hats of Incident Management”

2. Snapshot of Hamilton County, Tennessee • Year 2000 (has remained unchanged to last census) • Population: 307,896 • Population Percent change, 1990 to 2000: +7.8% • Land Area: 543 square miles • Racial & Ethnic Composition: • -White 76% • -African American: 20% -Other Groups 4% • Median Household Income $34,836 (U.S. Census 1997 model estimate) • Percentage of workers driving to work alone: 80% (1990 Census).

3. Highway Incident Task Force Convenes in Early 2000 • Task Force sub committees were created: • Haz-Mat to deal with fuel spills • Towing & Recovery to draft changes to local wrecker ordinance • Towing &Recovery committee members included towing community & city attorney • Late 2000 a draft was ready & presented to the Task Force for approval • A Major recommendation was “Recovery Class”

4. Task Force Mission To develop effective communication among local & state agencies that have responsibilities in responding to highway incidents. Committed to a coordinated and cooperative response to highway incidents in an efficient and effective manner, the Task Force will strive to maintain safety of the motorist and the accident responder & preserve the economic and environmental welfare of the community. The Task Force will contribute its resources through the support of state & local programs, which assist stranded motorist, relieve highway congestion, and reduce the time to clear the blockage of traffic flow due to incidents.

5. Wrecker Ordinance Changes 2001 • Q-2 of 2001 the City Wrecker board meets to set limits for law enforcement on calls within city • Charges for such calls raised to accepted priceing • Task Force draft was presented & “Recovery Class” created with little to no opposition • A Class: passenger cars & pickup trucks • B Class: Medium sized trucks (Straight Bed). • C Class: Heavy Duty for towing Tractor Trailers • Recovery: Spilled loads, Overturns or Heavy structural damage

6. Opposition from C: Class Owners • Within 6 months of new ordinance • C: Class claimed they could do the job as well as Recovery • Claims that C: Class were blind sided by changes • 18 month moratorium supplement was added • All C: Class & Recovery class placed on the same list. • C: Class given 18 months to purchase Recovery Equipment.

7. Moratorium Passes Without Anyone Upgrading • Recovery requirements remained as/is • There continued to be sporadic discussion about the requirements & class • Claims of unfair business practices started to surface • Rumors of legal action loomed

8. FAST FORWARD TO 2008 • Mid year a Knoxville Attorney (Michael McGovern) was retained by four local towing companies • Meetings were held with city officials in which claims that 30 ton straight booms could do the job as well as a Rotator • TDOT’S input was only for 90 minute performance measure • City Officials ask for Input & Clarification of the Issues, Rotator vs Straight Boom

9. Expert Advice Sought • TDOT contacted FHWA for assistance in bringing in someone to speak to City Officials • John O’Laughlin volunteered to help • Gaynell Rochester with American Towing Alliance also came in to assist • Michael McGovern spoke for C: Class • The general consciences was not so much Rotators, but the need to clear the lanes as quickly as possible with training & performance Measures

10. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS • 90 Minutes to clear all lanes, from order to proceed • Citation to the wrecker board, consideration of future participation for failure to clear lanes • Recovery & C: Class on controlled access must meet the same performance standard • A report is filed with PD with names, agencies & reason for recovery class call out

11. RECOVERY CLASS, WHEN • Major Structural damage, possible spillage of cargo. • Wreckage in an uncontained state at the site of an accident • Recovery of large trucks requiring multiple items of equipment, loaders, cranes or other such • Requested by Emergency Service Provider in charge, for Life Safety • As Determined by an appropriate Official of TDOT

12. TRAINING REQUIREMENTS • 8 Hours of training or continuing education each 12 months. • Traffic Incident Management Work Shops • MUTCD traffic control flagger training • Advanced Towing & Recovery Practices • Shall be familiar with quick Clearance Practices • Practices outlined in the I-95 coalition guidelines in section FS-17 & 18 • All must be approved by the wrecker board

13. TRAINING FOR 2009 • Funding Provided by FHWA & TDOT • NHI: Using the Incident Command System at Highway Incidents • All Recovery Class Towing Attended • Held at the Fire Training Facility • Possibility of more Training funds over the next three years from FHWA

14. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED • One licensed recovery class wrecker • GVWR 7: 54,000 pounds & tandem axle • 300” wheelbase • 50 ton rotating boom • Dual 50,000 lb. winches • 80,000 lb. tow rating • 1 additional Licensed C: Class or greater • Own or contract equipment required in section 8.0 of Georgia TRIPS Program.

15. LOOKING AHEAD • Expansion of requirements for clean-up (fuel) • Better outline of training requirements • Better avenues to obtain training • Possible training funds from private sources • Possible training split to address Supervisors and Equipment Operators • Third party participation or guidelines, clean-up contractors, cargo owners, insurance adjustors

16. THANK YOU • QUESTIONS ?