# Presentation: 280353

## FHWA’S  ROLEINEMERGENCIESANDNATURAL  DISASTERS

** **** ****EP  Program  (Response)  **
**  ****ER  Program  (Recovery)**

**Notes:**
The FHWA has two programs that specifically address the response and recovery aspects triggered by an emergency or natural disaster.
  The FHWA Emergency Preparedness (EP) Program addresses the “response” aspect, while
  the Emergency Relief (ER) Program addresses the “recovery” aspect of an emergency or natural disaster.

Objective of ER vs. EP

## EMERGENCY  PREPAREDNESSORGANIZATIONALSTRUCTURE 

** ****HEADQUARTERS**
**  ****OPERATIONS  CBU  **

**Resource**
**Centers**

**Federal-Aid**
**Divisions**

**FLH**
**Divisions**

**RETCO/**
**RETREPs**

**CMC**
**Cadre**

**Notes:**
  Headquarters structure
  Field structure (EP Contacts list)

## ROLES  AND  RESPONSIBILITIESHEADQUARTERS

**  ****Represents the Administrator**
**  ****Provides policy direction**
**  ****Coordinates with other groups**
**  ****Develops training**
**  ****Maintains the Agency’s ECS**
**  ****Implements Headquarters COOP**** **

**Notes:**
At each level of our organizational structure, the EP coordinators are tasked with a number of responsibilities:

In Headquarters, for example, the EP Coordinator:
  represents the Administrator, as directed, on all matters concerning EP
  is responsible for providing policy direction to HQ and field office personnel (FHWA Orders, policy memos, etc.) 
  Coordinates with other emergency organizations such as the OET, OIS, etc.
  Is responsible for developing training and delivering the training to field personnel
  ensures that the Agency is equipped with emergency communications equipment and that the equipment remains in good operating condition
  is responsible for the development and implementation of the HQ COOP plan.

## ROLES  AND  RESPONSIBILTIESDIVISION  OFFICES

**  ****Implementation of program elements**
**  ****Coordination with State and local agencies**

**Notes:**
Division offices are responsible for the following actions:
  The appointment of an emergency coordinator responsible for the management of the EP program.  This position is a collateral duty in all Divisions.
  Implementation of the program elements in the FHWA Order on EP.  In addition, EP coordinators should encourage State DOTs to appoint an EP Coordinator.

## EMERGENCY  PREPAREDNESSPROGRAM  ELEMENTS(Response Functions)

**1.  Communications**
**2.  Continuity of Operations **
**3.  National Security Coordination**
**4.  Federal Response Plan Participation**

**Notes:**
  Gathering of information and reporting on the damage to the transportation infrastructure namely, highways, bridges, and tunnels.
developing plans to ensure the continuity of government functions during a crisis,
  coordinating activities related to national security and national defense,
  participating in the FRP when the plan is activated by FEMA ,

## COMMUNICATIONS

**  ****Reporting of Events**
**  ****Methods of Communication**
**  ****Communications Equipment **

**Notes:**
Purpose:  Keep management informed
Key factors:  accuracy and timeliness 
  Significant Events:
    -  Terrorist incidents
    -  Natural disasters
    -  Alert Bulletin events
  Current method:  GroupWise - Alert Bulletins
    Future method:  AIM
  Equipment:  HFs and Sat-phones
   Monthly HF exercises and sat-phone checks

## CONTINUITY  OF  OPERATIONS(COOP)PLAN

** **

**Notes:**

  EO 12656, dated 11/18/88, Part 2, Section 202, “Continuity of Government,” directs the head of each Federal department and agency to”...ensure continuity of essential functions in any national security emergency by providing for:  (1)  succession of office and emergency delegation of authority in accordance with applicable law; (2) safekeeping of essential resources, facilities and records; and (3) establishment of emergency operating facilities.” 
  Also, FHWA Order 1910.2B requires that the FHWA Headquarters and each FHWA field office develop procedures for the accountability of  all personnel, the continuity of essential operations, and the relocation of essential personnel and records in the event of an incident that renders any FHWA office inoperable.   

These are the reasons why each FHWA field office is required to develop and maintain a COOP plan.

## NATIONAL  SECURITYCOORDINATION

**  ****Office of Emergency Transportation**
**  ****Office of Intelligence and Security**
**  ****Strategic Plan**
**  ****MTMC  Coordination Plan**
**  **

**Notes:**
The FHWA is involved in several activities dealing with national security issues; for example:
  The U.S./Canada Emergency Preparedness Committee on Civil Transportation (EPCCT) which was created to discuss issues such as cross-border transportation of HAZMAT, joint training exercises on natural disaster response and anti-terrorism activities, cross-border movements of emergency service vehicles, etc.  The OET is the leading DOT office for this activity; however, all operating administrations are involved, but usually at the HQ level.  If coordination needs to be done with one of the border States, then the appropriate Division office will be notified.
  The FHWA is also involved with the DOT SWG.  The OIS is the leading DOT office, but each operating administration is an active member of this group.  The SWG meets monthly in HQ to discuss issues such as the protection of our infrastructure against terrorist attacks, presidential directives dealing with national security issues, special events like the 1996 Olympics, etc.  
The FHWA is also involved with the MTMC in a cooperative effort to address a number of defense transportation issues.  These issues are discussed in detail in the “MTMC Coordination Action Plan.” This plan is based on the premise that, during an emergency, the military must be able to move equipment and personnel from an installation to its point of embarkation in an expedient and efficient manner.  The points of embarkation could be an airport, seaport, or train station.  
The strategic routes to be used for these movements are defined as STRAHNET routes and connectors.  STRAHNET stands for Strategic Highway Corridor Network.

## FEDERAL  RESPONSE  PLAN

**  ****What is it?**
**  ****How does it work?**
**  ****Who does what?**

**Notes:**
The FRP is a working agreement signed by 26 Federal departments and agencies and the American Red Cross (ARC). Basically, the FRP:
  Supports the implementation of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Public Law 93-288).  The FRP actually outlines how the Federal government will implement the Stafford Act.
  The FRP actually integrates the capabilities of the 26 Federal Departments and agencies and the ARC for a coordinated response to a disaster.  FEMA is the lead agency for the Federal government and is responsible for activating the FRP.
  The FRP also supplements existing emergency plans and programs  that have been developed by Federal agencies under their own statutory authorities. 
The FRP employs a functional approach that addresses the types of Federal assistance that States are most likely to need in a disaster.  These functional areas (or State needs) have been grouped into 12 general categories called Emergency Support Functions (ESFs).  Each ESF is headed by a primary agency, which has been selected based on its capabilities in that particular functional area.  Let me spend a few minutes summarizing each of these ESFs so that you may have a better idea of the types of assistance a State is most likely to need from the Federal government during a disaster.
1.  Transportation (Department of Transportation):  The first ESF is Transportation.  The primary agency responsible for this function is, logically, the DOT.  This function provides for the coordination of movement of emergency personnel, equipment, and materials to and from the disaster area.  
  ESF-1 is a DOT responsibility.  The Office of Emergency transportation (OET), under the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), is the lead program office acting for DOT in support of the FRP.  
The OET’s principal field officials are the RETCOs.  RETCO stands for Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator, while RETREP stands for Regional Emergency Transportation Representative.  When activated, the RETCOs  become the Secretary’s representatives within their Regions for all emergency preparedness matters and cease to function under their own operating administrations to become part of the DOT’s emergency organization.   
The DOT has tasked three of its operating administrations to perform RETCO/RETREP functions:
  Responsibilities in DOT Regions 1, 2, 9, and 10 are provided by USCG,
  in DOT Regions 3, 4, 6, and the State of Alaska by FAA and,
  in DOT Regions 5, 7, and 8 by FHWA.