Guide for Emergency Transportation Operations (2005)

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THE GUIDANCE FRAMEWORK There are no widely accepted benchmarks in ETO (beyond generic processes) by which to judge effectiveness. Furthermore, few DOTs or public safety agencies measure per- formance in quantitative terms. Therefore, guidance that can support the improvement of practice in the direction of greater institutionalized ETO is provided. While the guid- ance is designed for state and local transportation agencies, it should prove useful to pub- lic safety agencies in considering the appropriate directions of cooperative approaches. The Guidance is designed to be responsive to the intent of the NIMS in its broad applic- ability, flexibility, and focus on coordination and cooperation among responder entities. Consistent with the NTIMC perspective, each of the basic strategies presented in the pre- vious sections has institutional and leadership components as well as an operations and technology components. Table 2 summarizes the basic strategies with their respective components. As shown in the table, the guidance framework is presented in two sections. Each guid- ance section is preceded by a self-assessment to help the user identify possible areas for improvement. 22 G U I D E F O R E M E R G E N C Y T R A N S P O R T A T I O N O P E R A T I O N S Table 2. Basic Strategies and Tactics for Improving ETO REALITY BASIC STRATEGY IMPLIED INSTITUTIONS AND LEADERSHIP STRATEGIES OPERATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGIES − Need to accommodate the full range of incidents, emergencies, and hazards Develop an approach to ETO on an integrated, comprehensive, all- emergency/hazard/ discipline basis Develop interagency preparations for complete array of incidents and emergencies Make hazard-specific and proactive preparations within and across agencies − Absence of widely accepted best practice approaches Develop a structured ETO process with joint protocols and procedures with full regard for the range of objectives while minimizing traffic disruptions Establish formal program with senior responsibility, organization, and reporting Develop and implement coordinated protocols, procedures coordination, and training − Effective technology not integrated Examine technology opportunities and cost- effectiveness to introduce new technology and improve efficiency, effectiveness, and safety Allocate adequate resources Deploy advanced, interoperable technology and equipment − Absence of performance measures for incidents, emergencies Measure performance in the field to provide the basis for continuous improvement Establish objectives with related performance measures and accountability Measure and benchmark performance against best practice − Informal, fragmented activities Formalize ETO as a program with appropriate policies, authorization, organization, structure, and resources Develop agency policy, laws, regulations and interagency agreements See Institutions and Leadership Strategies