Incorporating NIMS into Transportation Management Centers

Albert Samano, III

TRB Conference Washington, DCJanuary 21, 2007

Session Agenda

Emergency Preparedness Programs before and after 9/11

Example – Incorporation of NIMS into a TMC Supported Liquefied Methane Tanker Incident

Overview of a comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Program (with NIMS Concepts)

Q&A

Audience Members

Familiarity with the National Response Plan and the Emergency Support Functions

Familiarity with the NIMS

Familiarity with Incident Command System

Why are transportation agencies becoming more and more involved in all of the above

Overview

Emergency Preparedness pre - 9/11/01 Security and Emergency preparedness not widely recognized

as necessary function within organizations. Programs typically consisted of informal policies and

procedures that were not well integrated.

Emergency Preparedness post - 9/11/01 Federal, state and local agencies have realized the need for

comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Program that addresses integration within the agency and interoperability between agencies. As a result – NRP and NIMS

NRP and NIMS Guidance

What is the National Response Plan (NRP) and what does the assignment of Emergency Support Function (ESF) #1 mean to transportation agencies?

How does NIMS relate to the NRP

Can the NIMS concepts really be integrated into the day-to-day operations of a transportation management center

Why is it important? NIMS establishes a common approach to incidents and promotes interoperability

Example of NIMS Concepts in a TMC’sSupport of a Tanker Rollover Incident

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover TMC versus Incident Commander’s Perspective

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover Incident Commander’s Perspective

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover Incident Commander’s Perspective - Release

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover Incident Commander’s Perspective - Explosion

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover TMC Notifications – TT Rollover, Placard Info & RWIS

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover More Informed Responders Arriving At Scene

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover Better Positioning of Incident Command Post

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover More Effective Recovery Process

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover Faster Removal

Liquefied Methane Tanker Rollover More Effective Restoration of Roadway

Incorporating NIMS Concepts into TMC Operations

1. Formal Adoption of NIMS Concepts

2. Performance of a NIMSCAST Audit

3. Incorporation of NIMS elements into TMC Protocols such as:

Incident/Emergency Management Plan

Standard Operating Procedures

Training Program

Drills and Exercise Program

Emergency Preparedness Program Development and Sustainability Model

TM

Emergency Preparedness Program Elements

1. Threat Vulnerability Assessment

2. Threat/Hazard Mitigation Program

3. Emergency Management Plan

4. Standard Operating Procedures

5. Training Program

6. Drills and Exercise Program

1. Threat Vulnerability Assessment

Identifies and Assesses Critical Assets(People, facilities, equipment, processes, and information)

Profiles Hazards and Threats(Natural, technological and man-caused)

Assesses Risks and Consequences(Probability of events occurring and extent of possible damage)

Compares and Prioritizes Risks(Evaluation and ranking of risks to determine primary concerns)

Identifies Mitigation and Countermeasures(Improvement or development of hazard or threat management program)

Examples of Critical Assets Tunnels and Bridges

2. Threat/Hazard Mitigation Program Threat/Hazard Management Plan

(Policies and procedures related to hazards identification, risk assessment and mitigation)

Security Threats(Lighting, fences, locks, barriers, facility/structure hardening, access control, ID systems, video cameras, intercom, etc.)

Natural/Technological Hazards(HVAC procedures, alternate locations, evacuation plan, traffic management plan)

Traffic Management Center (Facility design, alternate facility, communications systems, video monitoring system, IT network, B/U generator, staffing plan)

3. Emergency Management Plan

Determines lines of authority and organizational relationships

Assigns emergency responsibilities to divisions and individuals through the CONOPS (NIMS Concepts – Modular, Scalable Incident Response)

Identifies equipment, facilities, supplies and other resources available for use during response and recovery operations

Plan’s annexes are based on the organizational structure of the client (Operations, Maintenance, etc.)

Emergency Preparedness Program Development and Sustainability Model

TM

4. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Provide specific guidance for the performance of actions that were identified in the Plan:

– Event Assessment and Classification

– Incident/Emergency Notifications and Mobilization

– Incident/Emergency Response Operations (internal)

– Incident/Emergency Response Coordination (external)

– Recovery and Restoration

5. Training Program

Terrorism Awareness and Prevention

NIMS Training IS-100,200,700, & 800

TMC Emergency Management Program Overview

Event Classification & Notification Process

Standard Operating Procedures

Emergency Operations Center & Public Information Center

Facility Tours for Police, Fire/EMS & OEM

6. Drills and Exercise Program

Table Top Exercises (A structured and prompt driven scenario discussion between key personnel)

Notification Drills (Drills conducted both on or off hours to test the acknowledgement and response to an incident/emergency notification or call out)

Functional Exercises (Structured, objective driven drills involving a scenario that focuses on and tests a single internal function such as security, fire, hazmat, etc.)

Full Scale Exercises (Structured, objective driven exercises involving a scenario that tests multiple organizational functions and integration/coordination with other agencies)

Emergency Preparedness Program Development and Sustainability Model

TM

Conclusion

1. Formal Adoption of NIMS Concepts

2. Performance of a NIMSCAST Audit

3. Incorporation of NIMS elements into TMC Protocols such as:

Emergency Management Plan

Standard Operating Procedures

Training Program

Drills and Exercise Program

Questions and

Answers

Contact Information

Albert Samano IIIPresident

Fortress, Inc.

Phone – 508.816.6734Email – asamano@fortressteam.com