Conducting Drills that raise staff proficiency in reacting to unwanted incidents, including proper use of emergency equipment and communication technologies Participating in exercises that improve coordination across departments and between responding agencies for any sort of critical incident 3.2b. - EMERGENCY OPERATIONS POLICIES Checking Weather and Other Hazardous Conditions [NAME OF AGENCY] has in place Operations Policies that address responding to emergencies. Particular attention is given to the following issues: At [NAME OF AGENCY], management is responsible for checking weather and other reports to ensure it is safe to send vehicles on the road. This designated individual checks this information before each shift and at appropriate intervals, especially if severe weather is expected. Drivers performing their routes continuously assess road conditions, evaluating weather, construction, accidents, and other situations to ensure it is safe to proceed. Every effort is made to avoid sending drivers on routes if it is unsafe to do so. However, if a condition arises requiring a driver to abort a route, the dispatcher will contact the driver (or the driver will alert the dispatcher), and the dispatcher will provide instructions on how to proceed. [NAME OF AGENCY] uses National Weather Service warnings, forecasts, and advisories available at , and weather radios monitored at dispatch site to real-time information on the following conditions: Hazardous weather outlooks High wind warnings Special weather statements High wind watches Winter storm watches Wind advisories Winter storm warnings Gale warnings Snow and blowing snow advisories Tornado watches and warnings Winter weather advisories Hurricanes freezing spray warnings Flood warnings Dense fog warnings Flood statements Fire weather forecasts Coastal flood statements [NAME OF AGENCY] also maintains a dispatcher log, a narrative description of what occurs during each shift. This enables the incoming dispatcher to read the previous shift log and know what needs to be tracked, problem areas of concern, or what is going right and wrong. Aborting or Changing Due to a Hazard To the extent possible, [NAME OF AGENCY] avoids sending vehicles out in conditions that might pose a hazard. It is the responsibility of the management to check weather and other relevant conditions at the beginning of a shift, and on an ongoing basis, to safeguard the wellbeing of passengers, employees, and others. If a hazard is encountered that causes it to be unsafe to continue on a route, agency policy is as follows:
examining and enhancing physical security measures related to outside access to HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) systems and utility controls (electrical, gas, water, phone) securing chemical and cleaning product storage areas and maintaining appropriate records of such items conducting status checks of emergency communication mechanisms implementing information security programs including web site access to sensitive information identifying high risk facilities, organizations and potential targets in the community surrounding the transit facility ID badges for all employees for security purposes considering using cameras to monitor facilities and/or transit vehicles ensuring adequate lighting for the facility grounds considering placing fencing or similar barrier around perimeter of facility and storage areas developing, reviewing, refining and testing crisis preparedness procedures Bus Stop Locations When a decision is made to establish a bus stop, [NAME OF AGENCY] assesses bus stop locations to ensure that are located in the most secure areas possible. Guidelines for this assessment are: Highly visible Well lighted Located in populated areas when possible Located away from unsafe areas Co-located with activity centers if possible 3.2d. - OSHA REQUIREMENTS [NAME OF AGENCY] periodically inspects its facilities and staff working conditions in order to ensure that the agency is compliant with all applicable OSHA requirements. 3.2e. – ALTERNATE BUSINESS LOCATIONS [NAME OF AGENCY] has established plans for alternate facilities, equipment, personnel, and other resources necessary to maintaining service during crisis, or to resume service as quickly as possible following disaster. Emergency Drop Points Emergency drop points are pre-designated safe locations that are used by drivers to drop off passengers whenever instructed to do so by the dispatcher or the designated backup. In the event of an emergency, the