2021 Sessions
Tuesday | October 19, 2021
All workshops require advance registration and will be held on Tuesday, October 19th. The official sessions for the Safety Summit begin Wednesday.
Workshop: Nevada Traffic Incident Management (TIM) Responder Training
Facilitators: Rita Brohman, Parsons; Kat Shampang, Nevada Highway Patrol (NHP); and Tom Diani, Reno Fire. More certification will be provided.
This four-hour TIM certificate course provides participating incident responders the knowledge necessary for clearing critical incidents as quickly as possible and reducing secondary crashes. Scene safety, communication, and relationship building will be emphasized in a multi-agency, multidiscipline training approach with highly-qualified instructors from multiple law enforcement agencies, fire agencies, NDOT, towing, and private-sector emergency responders. The course structure will consist of four hours of training with education credit for engineering, post-law, emergency medical technician (EMT), as well as towers that are required to complete the course in Nevada.
Workshop: Child Passenger Safety 101
6.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be provided for attending the entire conference
Facilitators: Courtney Barry, Chicco; Vera Fullaway, Safe Traffic System (Ride Safer); Bob Wall, Nuna; Eve Miller, Evenflo; Sarah Haverstick, Goodbaby International (presenting virtually); Denise Donaldson, Safe Ride News Publications (presenting virtually); and Jonathan Otero, Orbit Baby
The Occupant Protection Program of the Nevada Office of Traffic Safety is excited to present the opportunity to earn CEUs with the Manufacturer Alliance for Child Passenger Safety (CPS) and child restraint manufacturers. Presenting manufacturers include: Chicco, Nuna, Ride Safer, Orbit, Evenflo, Graco, UPPAbaby, and Safe Ride News. Join us for a day of learning and networking. Please bring your 2021 LATCH Manual if available.
*All are welcome, preference will be given to CPS technicians. Please provide your technician number when registering.
Workshop: Joining Forces Emotional Survival
Instructor: Dr. Kevin Gilmartin
Dr. Gilmartin is a behavioral scientist specializing in law enforcement and public safety issues. He is the author of the book Emotional Survival for Law Enforcement: A Guide for Officers and Their Families. He previously spent 20 years working in law enforcement in Tucson, Arizona. During his tenure, he supervised the Hostage Negotiations Team and the Behavioral Sciences Unit within the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). He is a former recipient of the International Association of Chiefs of Police-Parade Magazine National Police Officer Citation Award for contributions during hostage negotiations. He presently maintains a consulting relationship with public safety and law enforcement agencies in the U.S, Canada, and Australia.
The Department of Justice, FBI, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, New South Wales Police, and International Association of Chiefs of Police have published Dr. Gilman’s work. He holds a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Arizona. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and resides in Tucson, Arizona and Bend, Oregon.
Workshop: Crash Reconstruction: Hands on Demonstration – Mass Casualty Incident (MCI)
Outdoor Activity
Facilitators: Pat Gallagher, Parsons; Carlito Rayos, Clark County Fire Department (CCFD); David Strawn, Parsons; and others
If you have ever wondered what is happening at a major crash scene when you pass it, please join the Nevada TIM Coalition for a live, hands-on demonstration with first responders. You are invited to observe as our expert responders provide a step-by-step walkthrough of the decision-making process, inured victims, a safety talk, hands-on training for first responders participating and a full-blown crash debriefing. Media and the audience can ask questions and participate in this event!
Wednesday | October 20, 2021
Welcome Session
Presenters: Governor Steve Sisolak; Kristina Swallow, Director, NDOT; George Togliatti, Director, Department of Public Safety; Julie Butler, Director, Department of Motor Vehicles; Anne Carpenter, Chief, NHP
The Future is Now: What’s New with Emerging Technologies
Moderator: Mike Colety, Kimley-Horn
Insurance Technology Helps Reduce Distracted Driving
David Cassetty, Deputy Commissioner for the Nevada Division of Insurance
Insurance technology such as User-Based Insurance (UBI) can help reduce the risk of distracted driving by incentivizing drivers to develop safer driving habits that are rewarded with discounts in their auto insurance premiums: the better you drive, the lower your insurance rates. This session will address the pros and cons of UBI, available free resources to drivers to help them decide if UBI is right for them, and how UBI can assist in reducing automobile fatalities.
Bridging the TIM Data Gap
Kelley Pecheux, AEM Corp. and Rita Brohman, Parsons/NV TIM Coalition
This presentation summarizes the magnitude of WWD in Nevada, identifies WWD crash trends, and the prioritization process for interchange off-ramps for implementation of WWD countermeasures. Additionally, the results of the experimental installation of red rectangular rapid flashing beacons will be shared.
Transportation Safety Data: Sources, Integration, Challenges, and Opportunities
Dr. Shashi Nambisan, University of Nevada, Las Vegas Transportation Research Center (TRC)
Impaired Driving: Navigating the Changing Landscape
Moderator: Shannon Bryant, Nevada Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP)
Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Drugs and the Drug Recognition Expert
Trooper Deborah Huff, NHP
A presentation to show the drug/alcohol toxicology obtained from 3,000 DUI arrest made in the Las Vegas valley from the DUI Strike Team, the prevalence of drug use and polydrug use in the valley, and to present what a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) is and what they can provide to assist in a DUI investigation. The presentation will include information on the DRE Call Out program recently begun by DPS-Highway Patrol and a brief explanation of “DRE Reconstruction” and what can be done to assist after an event has already occurred.
Taking an Individualized Justice Approach to Combating Impaired Driving
Pam Fischer, Governor’s Highway Safety Administration (GHSA)
Catch, convict, punish and release – that has been the approach for addressing impaired driving, particularly those offenders deemed high-risk. However, experts agree that an individualized justice approach is a more effective way to break the cycle of recidivism and prevent impaired driving deaths. Explore the key components of this proven approach and the role your DUI Task Force can and should play in bringing it to fruition.
Fast and Furious: Let’s Talk About Speed!
Facilitator: Erin Breen, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Vulnerable Road Users Project
Introduction: Kristina Swallow, Director, NDOT
Panelists: Dr. Deborah Kuhls, UNLV School of Medicine Trauma Center; Lacey Tisler, NDOT Traffic Safety Engineering; Sergeant Paul McCullough, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Fatal Detail; and Rebecca Kapuler, Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County
Hear from a group of multidiscipline panelists who will share their experiences with speed-related traffic fatalities and the impacts to their daily job and their agency.
Traffic Safety Communication: Listen, Learn, Action
Moderator: Andrew Bennett, Office of Traffic Safety
Presenters: Officer Mike Thiele, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department; Sergeant Michael Campbell, Clark County School District Police Department; and Andrew Bennett, Office of Traffic Safety
Vulnerable Road Users: Walking and Biking to Zero Fatalities
Moderator: Scott Bohemier, NDOT
Marrying Pedestrian and Bike Data with Court Education Data and Community Demographics
Laura Gryder-Culver, UNLV School of Medicine; Merika Charupoom, UNLV School of Medicine; and Erin Breen, UNLV Vulnerable Road Users Project
Reno Pedestrian Safety Zones
Lieutenant Mike Browett, Reno Police Department and Casey Smith, NDOT
Improving Walkability, Bikeability, and Safety by Incorporating Health into Land Use and Planning Decisions
Presenter: Courtney Coughenour, UNLV
A multi-sector team developed a decision support tool to be used by transportation, planning, and other design professionals to facilitate the consideration of health and equity in local land use and transportation decisions. This presentation will introduce this tool and its utility for connecting land use planning and health, and welcomes audience feedback and suggestions for improving the tool and its deployment.
Judicial Outreach and Communications
Moderator: Mike Colety, Kimley-Horn
Presenter: Judge Doug Hedger, Nevada State Judicial Liaison and Judge Scott Pearson, American Bar Association (ABA) Regional Judicial Outreach Liaison, Region 8
Safer Drivers and Passengers: Are We There Yet?
Moderator: Dr. Shashi Nambisan, UNLV TRC
Occupant Protection Analysis of Use of Child Restraints by Age
Laura Gryder, UNLV School of Medicine
Comparison of Seat Belt Laws and Seat Belt Use Rates Across the US
Dr. Shashi Nambisan, UNLV TRC
Clark County School District Police Department and Office of Traffic Safety Partnership for Zero Teen Fatalities
Officer Keith Habig, Clark County School District Police Department
Equity: Improving Safety for Everyone
Moderator: Amy Davey, Office of Traffic Safety
HiAP – a Collaborative Approach to Equitable Project Development
Tina Dortch, Office of Minority Health and Baldo Bobadilla, University of Nevada, Reno
Equitable Enforcement and Highway Safety
Todd Hartline, Office of Traffic Safety
Understanding Transportation Equity and Poverty Issues
Brian Hoeft, Cubic Transportation Systems
Engineering Safer Roads
Moderator: Fred Shakal, NDOT Traffic Safety Engineering
How Could that Happen? Railroad Crossings
Presenter: Richard Gent, Nevada Operation Lifesaver/Nevada Rail Auxiliary
Every three hours in the United States, a train is involved in a train-vehicle or train-pedestrian collision. Nevada became well known nationwide in June 2011 when a tractor-trailer slammed into the side of the AMTRAK California Zephyr passenger train in Miriam, Nevada. This crossing had active warning devices, was clearly marked, and did not have a sight distance problem; how could this have been prevented? This presentation will provide an overview of the rail infrastructure and areas of consideration when improving and designing safer roads in Nevada
Local Public Agency Process for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Funds
Presenter: Lacey Tisler, NDOT Traffic Safety Engineering
A Data-Driven Approach to Wrong-Way Driving (WWD) in Nevada
Presenter: Lori Campbell, NDOT and Molly O’Brien, Kimley-Horn
A recent analysis was completed by a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) consultant, AEM Corp, to merge data and determine roadway clearance, incident clearance times, and whether a crash is a secondary crash. As statewide first responders receive multiagency statewide training, the crash removal time and secondary crashes decrease. This session focuses on measuring performance and use of the statewide crash report data (law enforcement), the results, and the related challenges.
Thursday | October 21, 2021
Key Takeaways from the 2021 Nevada Legislative Session
Legislative Panel Discussion
Moderator: Shannon Bryant, Nevada TSRP
Panelists: Senator Dallas Harris, Nevada State Senate; Assemblyman C.H. Miller, Nevada State Assembly; Assemblywoman Shannon Bilbray-Axelrod, Nevada State Assembly; and Assemblyman Steve Yeager, Nevada State Assembly
Keynote Presentations
Traffic Trends, Opportunities, and Safety Solutions
An overview of national data, behavioral research, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) current activities with an emphasis on safety culture and applying an equitable Safe System approach to protect all road users.
Presenter: Nanda Srinivasan, NHTSA Associate Administrator for Research and Program Development
Nanda Srinivasan, NHTSA’s Associate Administrator for Research and Program Development, oversees four offices within the agency that formulate, implement, and evaluate traffic safety programs. His team provides national leadership and technical assistance to states and other stakeholders in the identification, research, planning, development, demonstration, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination of highway safety programs. The programs are designed to prevent or reduce traffic-related crashes and the resulting fatalities, injuries, property damage, and associated costs. Srinivasan oversees the development of programs to increase seat belt use, decrease impaired driving, and improve the safety of motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians, older drivers, and emergency medical services.
Srinivasan previously served as the director of statistical methods and research at the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). He led the office in overseeing survey development, statistical methods, data integration, and quality assurance for all EIA products. Prior to his time at EIA, he served for more than six years as a senior program officer at the Transportation Research Board (TRB). There, Srinivasan oversaw programs and projects related to transportation research, including the development of guidebooks for states and local agencies on transportation planning and policy. Prior to TRB, Srinivasan significantly contributed to the development of transportation data, including national resources such as the census transportation planning package and the national household transportation survey.
Srinivasan holds a master’s degree in transportation engineering from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Hiking to the Top of Mt TBI
Presenter: Holly Kostrzewski, Hope Humor Inspiration
Holly Kostrzewski, owner of Hope Humor Inspiration, says with a smile, “I did not choose my career, my career chose me!”
Holly’s path forever changed, when at the age of 18, she sustained a life-changing traumatic brain injury, as a result of a motor vehicle crash. Significant challenges followed during her ongoing recovery.
Through faith, determination, tenacity, a positive attitude, and a great sense of humor, Kostrzewski graduated college with honors, went on to earn a master’s degree in public health, and is currently writing her dissertation to complete a Ph.D. in Public Health/Community Health.
Holly has been consistently named one of the top presenters at brain injury conferences in the United States and Canada, medical professional conferences, correctional institutions, colleges, and high schools. Holly is the founder of Helmet Use and Grab your Seatbelt (HUGS), a brain injury education and prevention program for children.
After taking a nearly decade-long break from public speaking to concentrate on her career and graduate school, Holly is back with a new perspective based on living with a brain injury over time. Through her frank and entertaining presentation, Holly will explain the challenges she has encountered in living with a brain injury including challenges related to working, dating, seizures, and how grief and trauma have affected her life. She will also review how she faced the issues and helped herself succeed. In addition, Holly will share the journey she and her family have traveled through her traumatic brain injury and resulting fractured self, and her father’s spinal cord injury, hospitalization, rehab, and associated everyday challenges for her father and her family.
Burning Shield
Presenter: Jason Schechterle
After serving four years in the Air Force, at the age of 26, Jason achieved his goal to work on the streets of Phoenix as a rookie police officer. Then, only 14 months into his career, Jason’s life took an unexpected tragic turn. On the night of March 26th, 2001, a taxi cab crashed into the rear of Jason’s patrol car. Upon impact, Jason’s car burst into flames, trapping him inside. Through a series of miraculous and fateful circumstances, Jason survived the crash and ensuing physical and emotional catastrophe. He suffered severe burns to over 40% of his body, which drastically altered his appearance. He has undergone more than 50 surgeries just to have the ability to accomplish simple daily tasks we often take for granted. Jason’s journey chronicles his fight for life, his triumph over tragedy, and the inspiration that enables him to continue to overcome unimaginable adversity. His personal narrative exemplifies that the power of the human spirit can never be underestimated or extinguished.
