Major Incident Tow (MIT) Program Handbook

The Washington State Patrol and Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) formally established the 90-minute clearance goal in 2002. In spite of the efforts of both agencies, the average clearance time for a heavy truck involved in a fatality collision in FY 06 was 349 minutes, or 5.8 hours. In order to expedite clearance of major incidents involving heavy trucks, WSDOT requested and received legislative funding to implement the Major Incident Tow (MIT) program to expedite the removal of heavy truck collisions on July 1, 2007. Based upon a similar program in Florida, the MIT program raises minimum training and equipment requirements and provides a $2,500 incentive payment when quick-clearance goals are met. (The initial pilot program was funded for the 2008-09 biennium in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. It is currently funded for the 2011-13 biennium in Clark, Cowlitz, Lewis, Thurston, Pierce, King and Snohomish counties.)

This handbook outlines the emergency response and mobilization payment criteria; a response agreement; equipment, driver and vehicle requirements; and an activation guide.