ITD's Incident Response Vehicle fields array of calls on I-90
Andy Peak of ITD has been helping motorists on I-90 since North Idaho received the Incident Response Vehicle earlier this year.
Courtesy photo
After its first summer season on the road, the Idaho Transportation Department has reported back on its new Incident Response Vehicle and how it fared during its coverage of Interstate 90.
The $100,000 vehicle was a donation from ITD's District 3 and was the first of its kind in North Idaho.
Andy Peak, the man behind the wheel, said it's been great.
"I can’t believe how many people it’s helped. Most people don’t really know it’s a free service," he said.
Peak assists motorists and takes pressure off the Idaho State Patrol for smaller reports and emergencies. The vehicle is outfitted with road flares, oil absorbent, pumps for flat tires and an automated external defibrillator.
The truck has already removed more than 100 traffic hazards from the road, including tires, debris and animals, assisted with more than 40 flat tires, responded to more than 35 crashes and provided 10 jump starts. Peak has used the Incident Response Vehicle to haul six semis out and clear a path for traffic to resume after a crash.
The ITD vehicle has also been the first on scene in several hazmat incidents to mitigate damage to the environment and those using the road.
Because of the size of the vehicle, it often serves a role in protecting vehicles from oncoming traffic as they change a tire or get a tow.
About 63,000 vehicles drive through the I-90 corridor each day.
"There was something in the roadway out in Cataldo and I said, 'I’ll take that one.' When I was down there, they got a call for a person who was abducted. It really frees them up," Peak said.
After growing up along the Coeur d’Alene River and assisting drivers after hearing reports over the scanner, Peak didn't expect to stumble into a position where he would be doing it professionally.
"I used to go up in my free time and pull people out of ditches along the pass when it was full of snow when I was a kid, so this was perfect. I get paid to do what I love doing," Peak said.
ITD spokeswoman Heather McDaniel said one of the most surprising results of the roadside vehicle has been how many medical issues Peak has encountered.
So far, he’s been able to assist with several diabetic episodes and two births. Peak also carries Narcan in case of medical events due to drug use encountered along I-90.
Peak currently has standard first-aid training for ITD operators, but after responding to so many medical situations, Peak said he would like to pursue additional medical training.
The results from the vehicle's first few months on the road have also inspired ITD to add to its incident response capabilities.
McDaniel said ITD has acquired a second incident response truck to serve as a backup. It is currently in Boise being outfitted with lights, equipment and electronics and may be in the Panhandle by late fall or early winter.
“The Incident Response Vehicle really fills a gap, allowing officers to stay focused on critical incidents while still getting stranded motorists the help they need,” she said.