# Review Checklist for Transit Agency Emergency Plan

To ensure that the transit agency is prepared to respond not only to the
"normal" emergencies that may occur in its service environment, but also
to the consequences of an act of terrorism or extreme violence, the
agency should review its Emergency Plan, focusing on the following key
elements of response during such situations:

**1. Direction and Control**

-   Is there a process in place to provide appropriate and rapid
    notifications to local and State authorities

-   Will control of the incident scene(s) be established by local first
    responders?

-   Are there provisions to address the presence of secondary devices
    aimed at public safety responders?

-   Are there provisions for implementing the Incident Command System
    (ICS)

-   Are there provisions for transitioning from ICS into a Unified
    Command System (UCS) as more local responders join the effort?

-   Are there provisions for ensuring that transit remains "plugged
    into" the UCS with the arrival of mutual-aid partners and State and
    Federal responders

-   Will the UCS accommodate both crisis management (FBI as lead agency)
    and consequence management activities (FEMA as lead agency)?

**2. Communications**

-   In the event of a terrorist incident, particularly one involving
    weapons of mass destruction (WMD), rapid and secure communi­ca­­tion is
    crucial to ensure a prompt and coordinated response. Strengthening
    communi­ca­tions among first responders, clinicians, emergency rooms,
    hospitals, mass care providers, and emergency management personnel
    must be given top priority in planning. How will the transit agency
    communicate with the critical support and response personnel?

**3. Warning**

-   Every incident is different. There may or may not be warning of a
    potential terrorist or WMD incident. Factors involved range from
    intelligence gathered from various law enforcement or intelligence
    agency sources to an actual notification from the terrorist
    organization or individual. Does the Emergency Plan have HazMat
    facilities and transportation routes already mapped, along with
    emergency procedures necessary to respond?

-   The warning or notification of a potential terrorist or WMD incident
    could come from many sources; therefore, open communica­tion among
    local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies and emergency
    response officials is critical. The local FBI Field Office must be
    notified of any suspected terrorist threats or incidents. Are there
    provisions in place to manage "warnings," threats and intelligence?

**4. Threat Level**

The FBI operates with a four-tier threat level system:

> **Level Four (Minimal Threat).** Received threats do not warrant
> actions beyond normal liaison notifications or placing assets or
> resources on a heightened alert.
>
> **Level Three (Potential Threat).** Intelligence or an articulated
> threat indicates the potential for a terrorist incident; however, this
> threat has not yet been assessed as credible.
>
> **Level Two (Credible Threat).** A threat assessment indicates that a
> potential threat is credible and confirms the involvement of WMD in a
> developing terrorist incident. The threat increases in significance
> when the presence of an explosive device or WMD capable of causing a
> significant destructive event, prior or actual injury or loss is
> confirmed or when intelligence and circumstances indicate a high
> probability that a device exists.
>
> **Level One (WMD Incident).** A WMD terrorism incident has occurred
> resulting in mass casualties that requires immediate Federal planning
> and preparation to provide support to State and local authorities. The
> Federal response is primarily directed toward the safety and welfare
> of the public and the preservation of human life.

-   Is the transit agency prepared to organize its response activities
    according to these levels?

**5. Emergency Public Information**

-   Accurate and expedited dissemination of information is critical when
    a major incident has occurred. Preservation of life and property may
    hinge on instruc­tions and directions given by authorized officials.
    In the event of a terrorist attack, the public and the media must be
    provided with accurate and timely information on emergency
    operations. Are provisions in place to accomplish this objective?

-   Establishing and maintaining an effective rumor control mechanism
    will help clarify emergency information for the public. Initial
    interaction with the media is likely to be implemented by an
    information officer, as directed by the Incident Commander. Later,
    to facilitate the release of information, the FBI may establish a
    Joint Information Center (JIC), comprised of representatives from
    Federal, State, and local authorities for the purpose of managing
    the dissemination of information to the public, media, and
    businesses potentially affected by the incident. An act of terrorism
    is likely to cause widespread panic, and ongoing communication of
    accurate and up-to-date information will help calm fears and limit
    collateral effects of the attack. Is the transit agency prepared to
    join in this process?

**6. Protective Actions**

-   In the event of a terrorist or WMD attack**,** evacuation may be
    required from inside the perimeter of the scene to guard against
    further casualties, either from contamination by an agent released
    or the possibility that additional WMD or secondary devices
    targeting emergency responders are present. "In‑place sheltering"
    may be required if the area must be contained because of the need
    for quarantine or if it is determined to be safer for individuals to
    remain in place. Is the transit agency prepared to accommodate
    either contingency? As with any emergency, State and local officials
    must be involved in making protective action decisions.
    Multi-jurisdictional issues regarding mass care, sheltering, and
    evacuation should be pre‑coordinated.

**7. Mass Care**

The location of mass care facilities will be based partly on the type of
event experienced (explosion, chemical/biological/nuclear agent release,
etc.). Decontamination, if it is necessary, may need to precede
sheltering and other needs of the victims to prevent further damage from
the hazard agent, either to the victims themselves or to the care
providers. The American Red Cross (the primary agency for mass care),
the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of
Veterans Affairs should be actively involved with the planning process
to determine both in-place and mobile mass care systems for this
eventuality. A "mid-point" or intermediary station may be needed to move
victims out of the way of immediate harm. This would allow responders to
provide critical attention (e.g., decontamination and medical services)
and general lifesaving support, then evacuate victims to a mass care
location for further attention. General issues to be considered by the
transit agency and public safety organizations include the following:

-   Location, setup, and equipment for decontamination stations, if any

-   Mobile triage support and qualified personnel

-   Supplies and personnel to support in‑place sheltering

-   Evacuation to an intermediary location to provide decontamination
    and medical attention

-   Determination of safety perimeters (based on agent)

**8. Health and Medical**

> The basic Emergency Plan should already contain a Health and Medical
> Section or Annex. The transit agency must address issues that may be
> different during response to a terrorist or WMD incident, such as
> agent detection, decon­tamination, safety of victims and responders,
> in-place sheltering versus evacuation, and multihazard/multiagent
> triage. Planning should anticipate the need to handle large numbers of
> people who may or may not be contaminated but who are fearful about
> their medical well-being. The response to a bioterrorism incident will
> require the active collaboration of the clinicians and local public
> health authorities responsible for disease monitoring and outbreak
> investigation. Their activities should be factored into the overall
> response process.

**9. Resources Management**

The following considerations are highly relevant to WMD incidents and
should be addressed, if appropriate, in one or more appendices of the
Emergency Plan:

-   Nuclear, biological, and chemical response resources that are
    available through interjurisdictional agreements (e.g., interstate
    pacts).

-   Unique resources that are available through State authorities (e.g.,
    National Guard units).

-   Unique resources that are available to State and local jurisdictions
    through Federal authorities (e.g., the National Pharmaceutical
    Stockpile, a national asset providing delivery of antibiotics,
    antidotes, and medical supplies to the scene of a WMD incident).

-   Unique expertise that may be available through academic, research,
    or private organizations.