Just after 6:00 AM TTFD was requested for a mutual aid traffic control assignment by the Portage Fire Department Battalion Chief.  Emergency Management Vehicle 1109 and the MDOT traffic arrow responded to I-94 near the 75 mile maker to close the westbound inside lane of the expressway while an environmental agency cleaned up a diesel spill that occurred when a semi jackknifed and ruptured its fuel tank.  The closure was maintained for approximately three hours.

MDOT supplies TTFD with a portable traffic arrow on a trailer and about 70 MDOT traffic cones to assist in closing any MDOT roadway or securing lanes for emergency workers.  This unit has been a benefit to both MDOT and area fire/EMS departments in that it can be immediately deployed by TTFD and maintained by MDOT workers if the traffic post exceeds three hours.  During heavy snow storms and overnight MDOT would have to call in workers on overtime (if any are available) and their response can be delayed.  This mutual aid agreement between MDOT and TTFD allows emergency vehicles that would normally be dedicated to their traffic post return to service and respond to other emergencies in their communities.  All TTFD fire fighters have been trained in MDOT approved emergency lane closures and have first hand experience in the necessity of protecting emergency workers on expressways in the unpredictable Michigan weather.  The traffic arrow and cones are stored at the MDOT facility on South 9^th Street and I-94 for quick access to I-94 and US 131 and can be deployed upon request to anywhere in southwest Michigan; however response time can vary depending on TTFD availability.