Lisa Sandt Director of Planning & Economic Development Lee-Russell Council of Governments (LRCOG)

 Regional planning agency  Serve Lee and Russell Counties  Regional Population: 180,669  Area: 1,267 square miles  Programs in Aging and Planning and Economic Development

 Services  Demand Response  Contract  FY08 Ridership: 56,501  Buses: 26  Drivers: 12 (FT) and 6 (PT)

 Services  Fixed Route  Paratransit  Contract  FY08 Ridership: 35,586  Buses: 8  Drivers: 4(FT) and 1 (PT)

Activities in the following planning elements:  Mitigation  Preparedness  Response  Recovery

 Developed and updated Natural Hazard Mitigation Plans  Prepared and administered Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs  Implemented homeland security and man- made hazard assessments

 Transit is incorporated into the Emergency Operation Plan – ESF #1: Transportation  Involvement of staff in emergency management training  Participation in emergency management exercises  Development and maintenance of a Transit Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness Plan

 Activated and stationed at the Emergency Operation Center during disasters  Provided transportation to shelters for carless and special need populations  Hurricane Ivan  Hurricane Dennis  Entered into a contract with local hospital to provide emergency evacuation services

 Returned evacuees to their homes after the disasters  Provided transportation to Hurricane Katrina evacuees in temporary housing  Participated in Lee County’s Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters

 Cultivate an on-going relationship with local EMAs  Distribute a “Transit Staff Emergency Call Down List” to EMAs  Develop an “Employee Volunteer Emergency Phone List” and have a Plan B  Develop a “Public Information Campaign” for distribution to media and first responders

 Know the condition and capacity of your system.  Set service parameters with local EMAs.  Go into response & recovery efforts with eyes open.  Debriefing is essential for responding effectively next time.

 Formalize relationship with local EMA’s  Train first responders on transit vehicle operation  Work with first responders to implement training opportunities  Continue participation in exercises, training, and planning activities