Supported Committees, Boards, Commissions & Groups

The Sheriff's Office supports a number of committees, boards, commissions, and other groups.

You can connect to them by locating the one you are interested in.

• Public Safety/Emergency Management Committee
• Traffic Safety Commission
• Local Emergency Planning Committee
• Traffic Incident Management Committee
• Portage County EMS Association

Public Outreach

Move Over or Slow Down

It is called the Move Over Law (2001 WI Act 15, WI Statute 346.072) and the concept is simple. If a motorist sees a vehicle on the side of the road with its emergency lights flashing (red, blue, and amber), the motorist is required to move out of the lane closest to the vehicle if possible. If a safe lane change is not possible, or the motorist is traveling on a two-lane roadway, they are required to slow their vehicle, maintain a safe speed for traffic conditions, and drive at a reduced speed until completely past the vehicle.

Steer It, Clear It

Wisconsin statutes, often referred to as "Steer It, Clear It," instruct drivers - if there are no injuries and the vehicles can be driven - to move their vehicles to a safe location and then exchange information or contact the police. The Steer It, Clear It Law (1997 WI Act 258, WI Statutes 346.67-68 and 349.13): (1) Requires motorists involved in crashes - if the vehicle is able to be driven and no one is injured in the crash - to move the vehicle to a location where it will obstruct traffic as little as possible. (2) Permits law enforcement and other response agencies to quickly remove vehicles, crash debris, and spilled materials. (3) Grants immunity from civil damages to any person who, at the direction of law enforcement, removes or stores a disabled vehicle, crash debris, or other obstruction. Civil damages may still be incurred for failure to exercise reasonable care in these efforts or for conduct that is willful, reckless, or malicious.

Meetings

The Committee is open to membership from any organization that has an interest in TIM. Meetings are on the first Tuesday of the third month of each quarter. They are from 9 am to 10 am and meet at the Portage County Sheriff's Office training room. The TIM Committee meets right before the quarterly meeting of the Traffic Safety Commission.

TIM Training

WisDOT's Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines were established to provide incident responders within the state of Wisconsin a uniform approach to emergency traffic control and scene management. Having a uniform approach will help provide the safest possible work environment for all incident responders, minimize the risk of secondary crashes, and aiding clearing an incident in a quick and effective manner. This training is recommended for ALL incident responders, including law enforcement, fire, EMS, emergency dispatchers, highway department, department of public works, medical examiners/coroners, and towing and recovery personnel. There is no cost for this training. Upon completion of the course, attendees will be provided with a certificate of completion.

The TIM Committee is always looking for opportunities to deliver TIM responder training to organizations interested in receiving the basic TIM course or doing a refresher. If you are interested, have questions, or want to schedule some training, please Email WisDOT.

TIM Resources

• Wisconsin's TIME Program Wisconsin website
• Federal Highway Administration's TIM Program on Traffic Incident Management Website
• Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines (PDF)

Wisconsin's Emergency Traffic Control and Scene Management Guidelines were established to provide incident responders within the state of Wisconsin with a uniform approach to emergency traffic control and scene management.