Emergency Management Handbook for State-Level Transportation Agencies
The Mineta Transportation Institute (MTI) has published a Handbook of Emergency Management for State-Level Transportation Agencies.
It addresses plans and systems mandated by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that may be applied to the state-level transportation agencies’ disaster response systems to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. Specific guidance and management techniques are provided to aid emergency planning staff to create DHS-compliant systems.
State transportation agencies are required to have plans for continuity of government (COG) functions during any catastrophic disaster, as well as for continuity of operations (COOP) – continuing the essential services that they provide to citizens, government, other state agencies, and federal partners during response, recovery and mitigation phases of emergency management. These augment a state’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), which addresses “normal” emergencies.
“This research project was intended to lay the groundwork for establishing priorities that would lead to a mature management capability for emergencies, disasters and catastrophes,” said Frances Edwards, PhD, director of the Master of Public Administration program at San José State University. “While transportation agencies may have significant experience with ‘normal’ emergencies on the roadways, and they may work routinely with state police and fire agencies in disaster situations, this handbook will help them level up to meet DHS requirements.”
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) retained a team of emergency management research associates with significant professional experience in emergency management from the Mineta Transportation Institute’s National Transportation Security Center of Excellence. The team reviewed California’s first COG and COOP plans and advised Caltrans on additions and revisions to the agency’s COG and COOP plans. All this is in keeping with the latest federal guidelines and with the lessons learned from Caltrans’ participation in the 2008 Golden Guardian emergency exercises.
The handbook emphasizes that open, clear and safe roadways are essential so first responders and other emergency teams can reach their destinations. Sample chapters include “The Role of the Emergency Services Manager in a State Transportation Agency,” “The Role of the Department of Transportation Headquarters EOC,” and “The Hierarchy of Emergency Plans.”
See The Role of Transportation in Campus Emergency Planning.
Tags: COG, Continuity of Government, Continuity of Operations, coop, emergency operations plan, EOP, Golden Guardian, Mineta
