In-TIME

Agenda 4-21-09

 

Call to Order-        Major Melville

 

Roll Call-               Karen Stippich

 

Welcome-              Major Melville, new members

 

Minutes- Approval as printed

Motion to approve minutes as written by Steve Williams with Second by John Shimer

Committee reports-

 

Outreach-     Duke Brown

Dave Bursten (ISP) reported:

• Duke and Dave have had conversations with WTHR about a story on IN-TIME
• Duke and Dave have e-mailed Indiana Broadcasters Association
• Duke has made several other contacts by e-mail

 

Policy-         Brad Hoffman

001-0309

Next assignment - work on a Clearance Time Frame Goal

Volunteer to work on the Clearance Time Frame for Goal policy

Brad Hoffman reported:

Updated the 001-0309 policy on Peak Travel Time/Inclement Weather Clearing a Vehicle

Policy was distributed for discussion:

• This is a separate policy from clearing vehicles ahead of predicted inclement weather.
• Concern was expressed on who gets called to initially clear the road way and if the initial towing responder will get to finish the job and if they will get paid for the initial if another towing company is hired to clear the scene after the event.  (This needs to be added to new business as a separate issue and policy)
• Concern was raised about getting multiple calls on vehicles that have been initially cleared from the roadway but still need to be removed from the scene.  This could tie up 911 lines.
• Another issue to think about is a load being left in a truck if it is valuable.  This is a judgment call that needs to be taken in consideration by the office responding.
• Another issue is tow operators being called but another tow operator has arrived to take the call or the initial tow responder not bringing the correct equipment.
• It was acknowledged that the issues and concerns raised need to be addressed.  Some of these issues may need to be addressed through legislation.  The policy being voted on today can be added to or new policies can be written.
• There was a motion to table the policy to look into other state policies and manuals by John Shimer and it was seconded by Russ Shoaf.  The motion did not pass a vote. 
• Discussion continued that an initial policy needs to be adopted and amendments or additional policies can follow.
• A new motion to adopt the policy 001-0309 (Peak Travel Time/Inclement Weather Clearing a Vehicle) was made by Guy Boruff with a second by Tisha Elder.  The voting member voted to accept the policy by a majority.
• The Policy has been added to the website.

 

Training-      Deputy Chief Russ Shoaf/F/Sgt. Kevin Rees

Russ Shaof reported:

Has made contact with other states to find out what other states have done, costs, resources, etc.

Tom sent contact for New Hampshire

 

Old Business- Tom Melville

 

Legislation- HB 1650, Hold Harmless- Abandoned Vehicle to 24 hours- Move It after a crash

Update as of the 15^th passed out of senate with no amendments - Tom does not see the hold harmless part.

 

Re-assignment

Tom is assigned to IN-TIME full time and is focusing on photogrametry

Tom will move into the Operations Support Division of ISP

 

Photogrammetry

Working with INDOT, DOR, FHWA and the Toll Road for funding for a total 22 complete kits

Planning to get equipment mid May, training mid June

 

Hoosier Safe-T

Presentation on communications will be moved to the May 19th In-TIME meeting.

 

Route Restriction System (RRS) Update

Bob Demuth reported:

The memorandum has been signed.  This will dovetail with 511 and be phased out as 511 become operational.

 

Oversize/overweight Truck Movements

- INDOT is considering lowering the weight limit of permitted vehicles which will resort in the need for more escorted Superloads.  ISP is uncertain that they will be able to handle the additional Superload escorts.  -

 

In-TIME logo update

The final design is on the website.

Tom has drafted a thank you letter and certificate for the person who designed the logo at IDEM.

 

 

Equipment movement for recovery work

Duke Brown reported.

Duke has been in communication with Bob Demuth in the central office and Jack Kimmerling from the Greenfield District at INDOT.  Will continue working on the issue.

 

North East Construction Project- I-465/I-69

Guy Boruff reported:

The schedule for this project may be accelerated with funds from the ARRA/Recovery Act funds

The next incident management meeting is planned for next month.  Guy will notify this group

INDOT has signed the Work Zone enforcement MOU with ISP

 

Agency/Association Lateral Working Agreement Signatures

Karen Stippich reported:

Signatures were received from Insurance Institute of Indiana and IDHS District 9 Training Council.

Have handed out the forms for the remaining signatures needed.

 

 

New Business-       Tom Melville

 

Indiana State Police

Lt. Col. Parker told district commanders to emphasize the importance of clearing the Interstates on a regular basis.  We have become very lacks in that responsibility.  Some districts are working at clearing the roadways sooner by moving vehicles off the roadways. Tom is speaking a post meetings about IN-TIME and the Open Roads Philosophy.

 

Commercial Vehicle Weight Limit

There is speculation that the weight limit for commercial vehicles may be raised.

This will raise issues with axel weights and pavement life.

 

Tow Response

Continued discussion about tow response and how to respond initially and who gets the job.  This issue was assigned to the Policy Committee.

 

Emergency Scene signs

Greg Deitz and Jay Wasson displayed portable "Emergency Scene Ahead"

INDOT is able to get a better price using QPA (Quantify Purchase Agreement).

INDOT will post the QPA information on the website so others can buy off the State QPA price.

 

IN-TIME website

The In-TIME website is http://indianatime.org/

Jay Wasson is the conduit to getting information on the website - his contact information will be on the website.

 

 

 

Strut Explosion at scene of vehicle fire

 

Greg Dietz presented a photo and explanation of a recent response where a burning vehicle had been cleared to the side of the road.  It was thought that the scene was secure and that a lane could be opened.  However, as traffic was moving by a strut exploded and hit the side of a large commercial truck.

Be mindful that things will blow-up during fire more than just fuel tank and batteries.  When is it safe to open the road way.  Bumper cylinders are dangerous too.  Approach all vehicles as if the have hydraulic bumpers.

This is a safety issue for enforcement responders to be aware of.

 

Alabama requirement of steel coil haulers

Duke Brown reported that Alabama has a new law that mandates training for people carrying steel coils - reinforced coils. The training is how to secure it and transport it.

Tisha Elder will forward a copy of the law to Guy and Tom

 

Length of IN-TIME Meetings

A motion was made to shorten IN-TIME meetings to 90 minutes by Bob Demuth with a second by Guy Boruff.  The vote passed by a majority.  Future meeting times will be from 9:00am - 10:30am.

(Kudos to Jason Sewell for suggesting this idea, even thought he was unable to attend today's meeting.)

 

IN-TIME video

Tom showed the IN-TIME video prepared by Indiana State Police to promote IN-TIME and the open road philosophy. It will be ready for distribution after the Superintendant approves it.

 

Reminder-    Committee chair conference call 9:00-11:00AM Tuesday March 24, 2009, 317-233-9088.

This is a standing conference call for IN-TIME committee chairs, charter members, and executive staff.  The intent is to provide assistance and encourage progress for committee chairs between IN-TIME members meetings.

Committee chairs, please be prepared to discuss:

-Your current understanding of your committee's assigned task,

-Progress made since the last meeting,

-Steps you plan to take prior to next meeting.

-Foreseeable needs, new committee needs, to be addressed by IN-TIME members.

 

In the event committee chairs are unable to make a conference call, please notify Major Melville in advance.  If you plan on missing a call and need a proxy 'invited' to a call, email Jason Sewell the proxy's address as soon as possible so the conference call information can be sent to them ASAP.

 

 

Next meeting May 19, 2009 at District 52/TMC Conference room