Highways Agency

• Traffic Incident Management Bulletin

May 2008

Last month's 'Exchanging Intelligence' article identified the benefits of incident responders becoming increasingly aware of their counterparts role and capabilities during incident management. This article had originated from an initiative developed between the West Midlands Traffic Officer Service and their local Fire and Rescue Service.

Since the issue of the 'Exchanging Intelligence' article, the Bulletin has been informed of another awareness scheme which has been in existence in the South East since the Traffic Officer Service went operationally live.

The Bulletin is always keen to hear of initiatives similar to those that have been published or different ones that are working well for you. This article contains the following information:

• Origins of the intiative
• Improving each organisation's awareness of each other
• Learning points generated
• Resulting development work

Raising awareness

Before the South East Traffic Officer Service became operational, Traffic Officers from Easton Lane Outstation attended Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services training centre for a familiarisation day. This consisted of a mix of classroom and practical training, including the opportunity to practise using fire extinguishers to put out liquid fuel fires.

In addition to this, Traffic Officers from the same Outstation also made visits to other Fire Stations within Hampshire which cover the network to deliver a short presentation and offer firefighters the opportunity to look over a patrol vehicle and raise awareness of the new Traffic Officer Service.

Traffic Officer Service and Fire Service working together

This has worked well in the South East and is now a regular activity, with many Traffic Officers revisiting stations at their request. As a result, Traffic Officers are now allocated a slot on each of the Road Traffic Collision (RTC) instructor's courses at the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Services training school.

Developing the relationship further

To build on what had been delivered above, the South East Traffic Officer Service has recently hosted an operational firefighter, Dave Brewer from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service for five weeks. During this period, Dave spent one week in the Regional Control Centre and four weeks on road with Traffic Officers based at Easton Lane Outstation.

Future development

Following this initiative, both parties have jointly identified a number of areas in which they are planning to further develop how they work together.  This has included the following: 

• Training
• Road safety
• Inter-control room operations

In addition to this, Dave finished his secondment extremely impressed with the on-road procedures used by the Traffic Officer Service and the way in which they can be implemented on the ground. As a result, Dave has returned with plans to develop their own motorway procedures around those used by the Traffic Officer Service.

This unique scheme has enabled a key partner in incident management operations to obtain a greater understanding of the day-to-day role of the Traffic Officer Service. With the positive feedback generated as a result, it is something that could be explored in other regions and with other partners.

These views are echoed by Richard Marlow, Team Manager in the South East Traffic Officer Service.

"Dave worked with a broad cross-section of our team and saw what we do, 'warts and all'. He's come from a service which maintains very high professional standards in its procedures and drills and has gone away very impressed which I believe is a credit to us all.”

Are you or your organisation involved in a similar intiative? If so, why not share your experiences with the TIM Bulletin and any innovative best practice which may have arisen as a result. Please e-mail TIMbulletin@highways.gsi.gov.uk with your ideas.