Transportation

EMERGENCY SUPPORT FUNCTION 1 -- Transportation

A. Purpose

To provide coordination of transportation resources and the identification of emergency transportation routes for the movement of people and materials.

B. Scope

Transportation resources may be obtained from public agencies, the private sector and volunteer resources for the movement of people and materials. These resources shall be coordinated by the Pierce County Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

II. POLICIES

It is the policy of Pierce County that public transportation authorities and county and state departments with transportation resources and support operations are responsible for assessing and restoring transportation systems under their control. Priorities shall be determined and coordinated by the EOC.

III. SITUATION

A. Emergency/Disaster Conditions and Hazards

Refer to the Pierce County Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Analysis.

B. Planning Assumptions

It is most likely that damages to the transportation infrastructure will occur in the event of a disaster. The type and degree of damage will determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the response and recovery efforts. Initial response may be difficult to coordinate but will improve with the gradual clearing of access routes. The demand on the transportation system for response and recovery activities will most likely exceed the capabilities of the county, thus requiring assistance from the state Emergency Management Division.

IV. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS

A. Transportation resources may be obtained from public agencies, the private sector, and volunteer organizations. State and Federal resources may be available on a short term basis to augment local capability. These resources shall be requested through the state Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

B. The Director of the Pierce County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) may designate a Transportation Coordinator for Commodities during emergency operations. The Director, or designee, will coordinate and maintain liaison with transportation resources, coordinate with Public Works on determining emergency routes, and assist with other appropriate transportation functions. The Transportation Coordinator for Commodities may form an ad hoc committee of persons with transportation experience or resources to assist in meeting transportation needs. The Transportation Coordinator would be the lead person to coordinate the movement of commodities in cooperation with private sector resources.

C. Pierce Transit will provide staff to report to the EOC to coordinate people transportation needs, as necessary. Pierce Transit may, subject to the conditions of the disaster and availability of operators and equipment, support emergency operations with buses or vans upon request of the DEM or the EOC. The chain of command and staff instructions for Pierce Transit are found in Pierce Transit emergency plans and procedures, published separately.

D. The Transportation Services Division, Pierce County Public Works Department will provide staff to report to the EOC to coordinate transportation route identification and damage assessment, as necessary. The chain of command and staff instructions for the Public Works Department are found in ESF 3.

V. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Joint Primary Agencies

1. Pierce Transit

Pierce Transit is the lead agency for the movement of people in Pierce County. Pierce Transit staff shall act as the Transportation Coordinator for the movement of people for emergency operations.

2. Pierce County Departments

a. Public Works

The Transportation Services Division, Public Works Department is the lead agency for the assessment of damages to transportation routes and, identifying and coordinating emergency transportation routes in the county.

b. Emergency Management

1. Develop and maintain current transportation resource points-of-contact.

2. Transportation Coordinator (Commodities) who will:

a. coordinate the use of locally available commodity transportation resources.

b. provide the lead for the coordination of emergency transportation resources for the movement of commodities.

c. support the coordination of resources for the movement of people.

B. Support Agencies-School Districts

The school districts within Pierce County and its incorporated cities may be available to assist in the movement of people on a limited basis.

VI. REFERENCES

None

VII. DEFINITIONS AND TERMS

None

VIII. TABS

None