1. Disaster Evacuation – Emergency Response I. Introduction The objective of this network is to ensure that operational transportation policies, protocols, procedures, routes, practices, and improvements are put into place within the Commonwealth of Virginia that will enable people and goods to move safely and effectively during threatening situations while still enabling emergency access to the scene(s), and will facilitate re- establishment of transportation following an emergency.—Adapted from the Federal Highway Administration Operations Unit “Improve the Commonwealth’s preparedness and response and recovery capability for natural disasters and emergencies of all kinds, including terrorist attacks.” Sponsoring and participating agencies: U.S. Department of Homeland Security The Department of Emergency Management Virginia Railway Express Virginia Department of Transportation References VDOT http://www.virginiadot.orghttp://www.virginiadot.org Virginia Department of Emergency Management http://www.vdem.state.va.us/ http://www.vdem.state.va.us/ Virginia Railway Express(VRE) www.vre.orgwww.vre.org II. Need and purpose of multimodal system The need for ensuring the operation and integrity of America’s surface transportation system is evident following the events of September 11, 2001. Good transportation system operation is key to ensuring safe, continuous movement of people and goods during a national and state security event. Effective emergency management frequently relies on understanding potential evacuation options—their feasibility and the optimal response strategies associated with each. Doing this requires detailed knowledge of travel behavior and characteristics of the transportation system. Source.ieminc.com/Products_and_Services/transportation_evacuation%20modeling.htm.ieminc.com/Products_and_Services/transportation_evacuation%20modeling.htm IV. Integration plan The composition of the Disaster Evacuation/Emergency Response Plan involves multiple modes of transportation on every governmental level – including federal, state, and local officials, as well as the private sector, in order to develop a seamless, coordinated security and preparedness strategy. The rational for deciding among competing evacuation or emergency response alternatives is based on the following transportation plan objectives and must be deliberated on each government level. * The transportation agency has a plan, and follows it. * It addresses both response and recovery. * It is current and complete. * It includes the types of threats we are now likely to face, including biological, chemical, and radiological. * They have exercised using it. * It reflects the available resources; they know where to find these and how to use them. These resources include: –Personnel, Assets, Personal protective equipment, Supplies * It includes actions at every level in the Homeland Security Advisory System. * It includes pre-planned alternate routes around all major assets and choke points. III. Rationale for selected alternative Virginia Department of Transportation Implementation Plans VDOT has developed evacuation plans designed to minimize problems caused by heavy traffic. The evacuation routes by area are divided into four areas, Hampton Roads, Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and the Eastern Shore. Rail Implementation Plans Transit organizations in and around the Washington metropolitan area have spent a significant amount of time and resources planning for emergencies. Virginia Railway Express (VRE), not surprisingly, has focused its resources on devising an emergency preparedness plan in the event that the Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia suburbs must be evacuated. Other Integration Plans Past disasters to include the 9/11 terrorist attack have clearly illustrated that citizens seek information via the Internet/Web. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management has had a strong presence on the Web. Their site, www.vaemergency.com, has been recognized nationally for its content, ease of use, interactivity and up-to-date information.