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News Archive

“In Our Boots” Public Service Announcements - The Emergency Responder Safety Institute's (ERSI) new series of public service announcements, "In Our Boots," challenges the public to stand in the boots of emergency responders exposed to high speed traffic every day as they save lives on the roadway.

Chief Joe Kroboth III Appointed to the NCUTCD - The Emergency Responder Safety Institute is pleased to congratulate ERSI Charter Member Chief Joe Kroboth, III, PE, on his appointment as a Technical Member of the National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD).

Colorado State Patrol Achieves Historic First On the Responder Safety Learning Network - The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) congratulates the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) on becoming the first law enforcement agency to have all active duty Peace Officer Standard Training (POST) certified officers earn the National Traffic Incident Management Training Certificate from the Res

ERSI Launches Reportstruckby.com - The Emergency Responder Safety Institute has launched a new nationwide database to collect detailed information about incidents on the roadway where emergency responders or their equipment were struck by a vehicle while operating at a scene.

New Study of Driver Perception of Emergency Warning Lights and Retroreflective Markings Released - A new research study from Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI), “Effects of Emergency Vehicle Lighting Characteristics on Driver Perception and Behavior: Study Report,” investigated the impact of lighting color, intensity, modulation, and flash rate on driver behavior while approaching and pa

ERSI Supports Texas Tech and Lubbock Fire Rescue Partnership to Design New Helmet - As part of its leadership position in advancing research and best practice in helmets and head protection for roadway incident responders, The Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) continues to reach out to organizations with experience and resources that would benefit the effort.

Steve Austin Inducted into the Firehouse Hall of Fame - ResponderSafety.com and the Responder Safety Learning Network congratulate Stephen P. Austin, Project Manager, on his induction into the Firehouse Hall of Fame.

Chief Rich Marinucci Speaks His Mind on the ResponderSafety.com Podcast - Chief Rich Marinucci, Executive Director of the Fire Department Safety Officers Association, is the guest on episode 3 of the ResponderSafety.com podcast.

Spotlight on Helmets and Head Protection - Fire Service Survey Results, New Research, and Upcoming Training Announced

ResponderSafety.com Training Resources Available for the 2020 Firefighter Safety Stand Down - The 2020 Firefighter Safety Stand Down from June 14-20, sponsored by the Safety, Health and Survival Section of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the National Volunteer Fire Council, will highlight the hazards that responders face when performing their duties on roadways.

Responder Safety Learning Network Releases Resource Relating Modules to NFPA Standards JPRs - Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN) has released a new resource for professionals who take RSLN online training modules.

Infotainment Systems are Worse than Cannabis or Alcohol for Driving Performance - Eyes Off the Road for 16 seconds!

IIHS Chief: All Play Role in Safe Use of Driving Tech - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has Released Safety Guidelines for Driver-Assist Systems.

New Interactive Map of Struck By Line-Of-Duty Deaths Shows the Dangers of Working on the Roadway - ResponderSafety.com has added a new interactive map that plots struck by line-of-duty deaths of emergency responders from all departments.

The Responder Safety Learning Network is Going Responsive - In the next week, the Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN) will debut a brand new graphic look, navigation, and features in a responsive design that enables the network to be displayed optimally on all devices, including smartphones.

ResponderSafety.com Releases "Roadway Response Safety Shorts" - ResponderSafety.Com is pleased to release ten Roadway Response Safety Shorts videos that demonstrate critical actions to take at every scene to improve the safety of your roadway operations.

Struck-By Fatalities of Roadway Responders Spikes Alarmingly in Early 2020 - In the first two weeks of 2020, seven roadway responders have been struck and killed by vehicles while assisting the public.

National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week 2019 - National Traffic Incident Response Awareness Week 2019 is a chance for all emergency responders to individually and jointly make a difference by teaching each other, and the motoring public, about our common goals and responsibilities to one another while operating at incidents of all types on roads

Disturbing survey responses from Drivers! - Check out the results following national survey from the National Safety Council And Emergency Responder Safety Institute/ResponderSafety

ResponderSafety and IAFC issue National Emergency Safety and Survival Alert - The International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), through their Safety, Health and Survival Section and in cooperation with the Emergency Responder Safety Institute, are urging all fire chiefs and officers to immediately issue a safety and survival alert in their departments.

ResponderSafety.Com Breaks New Ground in Distracted-Driver Effort! - ResponderSafety.Com Launches New PIO and Public Educator Page with "Distracted Driving Endangers First Responders" Messaging and Resources

TIM Certificate Accepted by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection - The Texas Commission on Fire Protection has announced that the National TIM Training Certificate available from the Responder Safety Learning Network is now accepted as an equivalent course to fulfill Commission rule §435.29.

MIEMSS Now Accepts RSLN Certificates - The Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) has announced that it now accepts certificates of completion for online training modules from the Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN) for continuing education (CEU) credit.

RSLN Registered Users Count Tops 25,000! - RSLN is thrilled to mark its newest milestone — more than 25,000 registered users now belong to the network.

Near Miss Reports Now Available on ResponderSafety.Com - Under cooperative agreement with the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) and National Near Miss (NNM), ResponderSafety.Com is pleased to now offer its web site visitors the opportunity to search roadway-related near miss reports from the NNM Fire database.

National TIM Training Certificate - The Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN) is pleased to announce that, in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a certificate in traffic incident management is now available on learning.respondersafety.com.

We have your back! New module about NFPA 1091 - Traffic control on the roads is getting more important every day.

In Gratitude and Memoriam: Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines - The Responder Safety Learning Network would like to take a moment to pay tribute to the legacy of Deputy U.S. Fire Administrator Glenn A. Gaines.

Responder Safety Learning Network Adds Handouts Feature - In response to user requests, The Responder Safety Learning Network has added a handout for all online programs.

TIM Train the Trainer Offered at National Fire Academy - June 27 to June 29, 2014 for Certified State Fire Service Instructors and/or Metro Fire Department Training Division Members as well as roadway incident trainers from other disciplines.

RSLN to Launch New Reporting Feature - Secondary Reporting Makes Verification of Training Easier for Organizations and their Members.

RSLN Hits 10,000 Users! - The ResponderSafety Learning Network hit 10,000 registered users today! We are excited by the progress.

ResponderSafety On Location! - Over two days in October 2012, ResponderSafety.Com was on location in Blackwood, NJ filming broadcast-quality HD video footage for two new modules.

Learning Network Goes Live! - ResponderSafety.Com from the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI) is now releasing free training modules on The Responder Safety Learning Network.

ResponderSafety.Com Awarded Grant to Launch New Learning Network! - Free Training Modules and Webinars will educate Fire, Police, EMS, DOT, and Towing and Recovery in Safe Operating Practices at Traffic Incidents.

46 Available Training Programs View All

Advance Warning

This module discusses the concept of advance warning, its benefits, and how to implement a range of advance warning devices.

Autonomous Vehicles

In this program, you will learn the basics of autonomous vehicle technology, the challenges and opportunities it presents to emergency responders, the current state of technology development, and how to begin to prepare for the presence of these vehicles on the roadways you serve.

Blocking Procedures at Roadway Incidents

This module discusses the concept of blocking, why it is important, how to determine whether linear positioning or block positioning is appropriate at a given incident.

Connected Vehicles

In this program, you will learn the basics of connected vehicle technologies, the challenges and opportunities they present to emergency responders, the current state of technology development.

Fire Department-Based Vehicles for Traffic Control

This program raises awareness on how fire department-based vehicles can be outfitted for temporary traffic control at incident scenes, including special purpose vehicles and modifications to vehicles used for fire suppression.

Fire Service Collaboration with Towing & Recovery Operations

This self-paced program discusses how the fire service and towing personnel can communicate and collaborate effectively to safely and efficiently handle roadway incidents.

The First 15 Minutes at Roadway Incidents

The first 15 minutes of a roadway incident response are critical. What the first responding units do, and do not do, will impact the response in many ways, including safety, traffic control, secondary incidents, and clearance time.

Helmets and Head Protection for Roadway Incidents

This module discusses the importance of helmets and head protection, head protection concerns specific to struck-by incidents, the advantages and disadvantages of available helmet types, and how to evaluate helmet choices for the roadway incident response context.

High Visibility Innovations

It is widely known that the visibility of responders is a key factor in safe emergency operation on the roadways.

Innovative Temporary Traffic Control Devices & Methods

This program raises awareness about these new devices, technologies, and methods so departments can evaluate whether these options can be adopted in their communities.

Intro to Fire Service Traffic Incident Management Professional

The responsibilities, qualifications standards, qualities, and preparedness needs for fire service traffic incident management professionals.

Law Enforcement and High Visibility PPE

This program summarizes the federal regulations with regard to high visibility safety apparel, examines the objections of law enforcement officers to wearing this apparel.

LODDs on the Roadway: Safety Lessons Learned

In this program, we look at four NIOSH reports on firefighter line-of-duty deaths that occurred while operating at a roadway incident.

Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

This module highlights and explains in plain language the portions of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) that apply to first responders working roadway incidents.

Move It or Work It

The module relates the Move It Work It decision to safe, quick clearance and the National Unified Goal.

National Unified Goal for Traffic Incident Management

This module presents the National Unified Goal as the road map for implementing cross-department cooperation and communication.

New Technologies in Emergency Vehicle Lighting

This program examines the history of emergency lighting technology, current trends vs. research, problems with current lighting technologies, and potential solutions to address these problems.

Personal Protective Equipment for Roadway Incident Response

This module discusses PPE requirements and how to select, and correctly and consistently wear PPE from head to toe, including high visibility apparel and head protection, to mitigate the hazards of working roadway incidents.

Planning for the Long-Term Event

This self-paced program provides guidance for jurisdictions and Traffic Incident Management (TIM) teams to plan for long term events.

Professionalism and Leadership in Roadway Incident Response

This program delves into the topic of professionalism at the organizational and personal level to give both leadership and boots-on-the-ground responders.

The Public Safety Telecommunicator's Role in Roadway Safety

This module presents ways to better integrate public safety telecommunicators into the roadway incident response team.

Recommended Practices for TIM SOPs

For years, the fire departments have worked to standardize their operating procedures across jurisdictions within geographic areas.

Roadway Incident Operational Safety for EMS Providers

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles respond to a wide variety of roadway incidents, such as crashes, pedestrians struck by vehicles, other medical emergencies, natural disasters, and weather events.

Roadway Incident Safety Training Guidance for Fire Officers

This self-paced program will assist fire officers with integrating roadway incident safety training into their department, including (but not limited to) self-paced programs and resources available through RSLN and ResponderSafety.com.

Safe Fire Service Traffic Control Practices

This module provides a basic understanding of the framework of traffic control at emergency scenes.

The Safety Officer’s Role in Roadway Incident Response

This program prepares safety officers to be advocates in their departments by reviewing recommended traffic incident management and roadway incident safety practices with recommendations for how to implement them.

Safety Service Patrols: An Underutilized Partner

This self-paced program will provide both an introduction to Safety Service Patrols at the awareness level and recommend vehicle outfitting and roadway operating procedures for SSPs.

Scene Control

This self-paced program discusses the issues created when persons other than responders and victims are present at a roadway incident scene.

See and Be Seen: Emergency Lighting Awareness

This module presents best practices in deploying emergency optical warning devices, called here "emergency lighting."

Setting Up a Traffic Incident Management Unit

This self–paced program uses existing Fire Police units as examples for demonstrating how an agency can set up a dedicated traffic incident management unit.

Sobriety Checkpoint Safety

This module presents practical steps law enforcement officers can take to maximize their safety while working sobriety checkpoints.

Special Circumstances: Safe Operations for Vehicle Fires

This module discusses the safety and traffic incident management challenges of vehicle fires and options for responding to these challenges.

Special Hazards

This self-paced program discusses the traffic incident management impacts of several special circumstances: HAZMAT, medical helicopters, vehicle extrication, and crash investigation.

Starting and Sustaining a TIM Committee

This self-paced program provides guidance on how to start and sustain a TIM Team, offering a framework, proven models, and tips for success.

Termination

This self-paced program begins with a review of foundational knowledge about the definition of the termination phase and quick clearance strategies. Then, the program covers best practices for typical tasks in the termination phase.

TIM For The Next Generation

This self-paced program is specifically for first responders who are newer to the profession, typically in their teens and twenties.

TIM Techniques for Weather Events

This module spotlights how weather impacts emergency scenes on roadways and provides guidance for how to plan and respond when weather conditions significantly affect the incident.

Traffic Incident Management on Rural Roads

This self-paced program presents information on how to tailor some roadway response best practices to the characteristics of rural roads.

Traffic Incident Management Requirements in NFPA 1500

This module highlights the new traffic incident management and responder safety requirements in NFPA 1500: Standard on Fire Department Occupational Safety, Health, and Wellness Program and point departments to resources that will help them meet the requirements of the standard.

Traffic Incident Management: Incident Command & Management

This module discusses the use of the Incident Command System (ICS) to manage the response to a roadway incident, both in the context of the Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Team and implementation at the incident scene.

Traffic Incident Management: Model Practices & Procedures

This module presents model policies, practices and procedures for key topics in the traffic incident response and management process, from pre-planning to incident response and through to investigation and post-incident analysis.

Traffic Incident Management: Strategies for Public Outreach

This module sets forth a series of vetted best practices for drivers to follow when encountering emergency scenes on the roadway.

Traffic Incident Management: TIM Training & Resources

This module provides a framework for TIM training and guidance on the techniques and methods used in TIM training.

Understanding NFPA 1091

This self-paced program explores both uses of NFPA 1091, explaining it in "plain language" for emergency responders and discussing how it can be used as a training objectives blueprint.

Who’s In Charge at Roadway Incident Scenes?

This self-paced program examines the question, "Who's In Charge at Roadway Incidents?"

Wildland Fires and Traffic Management

This program teaches traffic incident management considerations for roadways affected by wildland fires, firefighting operations, and safety procedures to follow when wildland firefighting vehicles are operating in close proximity to responders on foot.

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ResponderSafety.com and The Responder Safety Learning Network (RSLN) are a project of the Emergency Responder Safety Institute (ERSI), a Committee of the Cumberland Valley Volunteer Fireman's Association. The RSLN is an online training network delivering critical safety training for roadway incident responders. All training is free and delivered 24/7/365 on demand. The self-paced modules include critical components of roadway operations safety in an emergency situation, including: Advance Warning, Blocking, High Visibility, Traffic Control, Public Outreach, Incident Command, and more. Register online to get started.