TRANSPORTATION & EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS CHECKLIST National Resource Center for Human Service Transportation Coordination (NRC)

National Resource Center: Purpose and Goal Basic purpose: provide states and communities with support to improve and coordinate public transportation and human services Goal: better coordinate human services and transportation

When We Say “Coordination…” Establish and maintain working relationships with partner organizations Plan before Emergency Situations occur Coordination is when two or more parties come together to provide services in the community Ensure safe and appropriate transportation especially for older adults, persons in group situations and persons with disabilities.

Coordination: It’s the Law Coordination is a statutory requirement throughout the federal transit program - Section 5303 (MPO planning processes) - Section 5304 (Statewide planning) - Section 5307 (Urban public transit) - Section 5310 (elderly/disabled persons) - Section 5311 (rural public transit) - Sections 5316 (job access) 5317 (New Freedom)

Planning and Coordination Before Emergency Situations Establish & maintain working relationships with partner organizations such as: Advocacy organizations Agencies serving transportation dependent populations Employment and training Health and human services agencies Faith and community based organizations

Prepare and Distribute Your Community Emergency Plan Maintain up-to-date contact list and network of communications Organize and conduct regular drills to evacuate transportation dependent populations Clarify rules, regulations and chains of responsibility at local, state and federal levels

Identify Those Needing Assistance Collaborate with partner organizations to identify individuals who may need transport Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations/voluntary registries ID appropriate transportation response for persons unable to reach pick up/drop off locations and ID supply of transportation Identify an entity to handle such needs

Public Involvement & Outreach Ensure Public Awareness of the Transportation Plan Include local businesses Transportation dependent populations Use a variety of media and accessible formats Point-of-contact person to talk to public Consider illiteracy and learning disabilities

Equipment & Personnel Support Establish reliable communications system utilizing available technologies and an alternative. Maintain transportation resources list by type and availability Secure agreements with fuel suppliers Distribute evacuation route information Train staff regarding emergency plan

Maintain Master List of Drivers By status and availability CDL as appropriate Ability to work with people with disabilities and wheelchair lifts Allow staff to ensure the safety and security of loved ones and personal property before activation

When Emergency is Imminent Local officials notify partner agencies and organizations of the threat Follow agreed-upon plans, coordination begins among emergency departments, public safety, hospital, transportation providers Activate designated staging areas and pick up/drop off locations Place staff, key partner agencies and other vital personnel on stand-by

……Imminent emergency Notify persons with assistance needs Notify those who require direct personal contact of impending evacuation and where they will be transported All passengers are transported to their destinations on the planned evacuation routes or alternative routes as necessary

During Emergency Situations Notify partner organizations of evacuation following protocols. Implement local plan to effect evacuation, sheltering, response and initial recovery Emergency transportation officials report to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Activate transportation service according to plan

……During emergency Direct operations over normal dispatch networks, telephones (landlines) and cell phones or previously tested and agreed upon alternative systems Deploy personnel and equipment to pre-assigned locations Fuel, re-fuel vehicles and after final trip fuel again and safely house them until response

…..during emergency Driver departs when vehicle reaches full capacity to evacuation location Provide door-to-door service based upon medical necessity or need of passenger Prepare vehicle roster to provide a record of service Operator reports to transportation supervisors to receive further instructions

….during emergency If the Emergency Ops Center must be evacuated transportation officials will provide vehicles to transport personnel and essential equipment to pre-designated alternative locations

Reentry and Recovery Preparations Initiate recover operations as designated in the emergency plan Operator and vehicle remain at the sheltering location to return evacuees to their homes Alternative plans should be in place, in the event evacuations last days or weeks Operators and passengers have picture ID to return

…..Recovery Operators remain on duty in accordance with the emergency plan Transportation officials assign other tasks relating to transportation component as situation dictates Vehicles will return to established drop-off points or residences based upon necessity

Assessment Evaluate emergency response identifying successes and gaps in service Make appropriate changes to the emergency plan and communicate such changes to partner organizations and the public

National Resource Center Jeanne Erickson United We Ride Ambassador –Region