HERO UNIT
TRAINING MODULE
COURSE
ORIENTATION
Overview
This course is to serve as an overall
orientation of the HERO certification
training program for the Incident
Management Operators.
Introduction
Operators will be informed concerning the:
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Need for the program
The Training courses
The HERO Program
Role of the HERO Operator
Need for the HERO program

Because it is estimated that incidents cause 60 %
of delays on the freeway system and congestion
causes 65% of the accidents which occur.
Need for the HERO program
The Department cannot continue building new
highways to relieve congestion
WHY?
Increasing construction costs
Community Protest
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Clean Air Act
Rights of Way constrains
Need for the HERO program
The Department must continue doing a better job
of managing it’s highway system, the
Department needs:
Quicker Detection of incidents
Quicker Verification of incidents
Quicker Response by Emergency Services
Quicker Clean-up and removal of incidents
Need for the HERO program
The HERO Unit provides the Department
with:
Detection
Verification
Quick Response Unit
1st Responder Capabilities
Clean-up & Removal abilities
HERO Training Course
The HERO Training course was design to
provide the HERO operator with the tools to
handle any circumstance he or she might
experience at the scene of an incident.
When compared to other Incident Management
Units in other States, our program has one of
the finest training programs in the nation.
HERO Training Courses
Course Orientation
Review of HERO SOP’s
Emergency Services Coordination
Legal & Liability Issues
Georgia DOT Safety Policies
Streetwise
Certified Flagger Training
CDL Training
HERO Training Courses
Defensive Driving
Bloodborne Pathogens
Hazardous Materials Awareness
Radio/Telephone Protocol
Public Relations
Temporary Work Zone Traffic Control
Incident Management
Traffic Management
HERO Training Courses
Human Factor & Traffic Controls
Tort Liability & Traffic Control
Incident Protocol-Medical Assistance
Incident Protocol-Hazardous Materials
Crash Victim Extrication
1st Responder-Hazardous Materials
1st Responder-First Aid
HERO Training Courses
CPR Training
Push Bumper Training
Towing & Recovery
Basic Auto Mechanics
Air Compressor-Operations/Maintenance
Transfer Fuel Tank-Operations/Maintenance
Preventive Maintenance
The HERO Program
The HERO Unit originated in December of
1995, with the selection of the ten (10)
trainees, five (5) borrowed pick up trucks and
only five established patrol routes.
The HERO Program
Many thought the unit was created ONLY for
service during the 1996 Summer Olympic
Games. However, due to the dedication,
professionalism, and determination of the
first 10 operators, the HERO program continues
to expand and is one of the finest Incident
Management Units in the nation.
Role of the HERO Operator
#1 Priority is Incident Management
Your primary task is the detection, verification,
response and clean-up & removal of all
congesting causing incidents.
 Motorist Assistance
While this is an important duty, it is not the
primary task (although this is the task from
where our unit receives much praise from
motorists).
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Role of the HERO Operator
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Keep traffic flowing smoothly
Role of the HERO Operator
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Motorist Assistance
Role of the HERO Operator
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To expedite the clean-up & removal of all
congestion causing incidents
HERO operators are the “on the ground”
arms & hands of the ATMS program
Assist motorist with disabled vehicles
Tag abandoned vehicles
Provide first-aid at incident scenes
Be an Incident Manager!
What is Incident Management
Definition

Incident: “ An incident is any non-recurrent
event which causes reduction of roadway
capacity or abnormal increase in demand.”

Management: “ The ability and technique to
control an incident through Detection,
Verification, Response and Clearing of the
roadway.”
Types of Incidents
Predictable and Unpredictable
Types of Incidents

Predictable
1.
2.
3.
Maintenance Activities
Construction Activities
Special Events
Types of Incidents

Unpredictable
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Accidents (Crashes)
Stalled Vehicles
Spilled Loads
Weather
Roadway Failures
Debris falling from trucks
Types of Accidents
Minor and Major Accidents
Types of Accidents

Minor
Accidents blocking shoulder or one
travel lane
Stalled vehicle or debris blocking one
travel lane
Types of Accidents

Major
Usually involves tractor-trailers
Multi-Car accidents
Hazardous Material Accident/Incident
THE NAVIGATOR
GEORGIA’S
ADVANCED
TRANSPORTATION
MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM
( ATMS )
TMC
Transportation Management Center
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Is the management center for ATMS
Communication link between local
government Traffic Control Centers (TCC)
Communication link between all the field
devices to manage traffic
Communication link between HERO Unit &
other emergency services
TMC - FUNCTION

It’s the communication hub between the HERO
Unit and responding agencies to
accidents/incidents.
Remember:
Keep conversation to a minimum and
utilize your radio and communication protocol
TMC - FUNCTION

TMC provides Detection and Verification
Electronic Loop Detectors
CCTV Cameras
Cellular Phones (* DOT) (* GSP)
HERO Unit
Local Law Enforcement
Local Radio Traffic reports
Aerial Surveillance (Special Events)
Response and Clearance
HERO Unit
 State and Local Law Enforcement
 Fire & Rescue
 EMS
 Towing & Recovery
 EPA (Hazardous Material Spills)

Level of Incidents
The State of Georgia has established four (4)
Levels of incidents to indicate the Severity of an
incident.
Level of Incidents
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Level I An incident with no injury and no
lanes blocked
Level II An incident with minor injuries and
one lane blocked
Level III An incident with two or more lanes
blocked
Level IV An incident completely blocking all
lanes for 2 or more hours
Summary
A list containing all the required courses in the
HERO training program have been provided
to each HERO Trainee:
 Be prepared
 Be on time
 Listen to the facilitators
 Ask questions
THE END