using highways for no-notice evacuations - FHWA Operations - U.S. ...

Source: FEMA/Liz Roll.Source: NASA.Available at http://rst.gsfc.nasa.gov/Sect4/Sect4_2.html.command structureA successful no-notice evacuation relies on an effective commandstructure that can be assembled quickly and efficiently. The commandstructure generates an effective overall response effort by establishing aframework within which the resources and activities of numerous responseagencies are coordinated. While the specific components of thecommand structure will vary among jurisdictions due to the involvementof different agencies, there are several overarching standards thatwill apply.National Incident Management System – NIMS was created in 2003by a Presidential Directive. It establishes a comprehensive, nationalapproach to incident management. Two key concepts of NIMS are:(1) that it provides a flexible framework for managing incidents; and(2) that it standardizes structures and requirements for responding toincidents. NIMS is applicable at all levels of government and acrossfunctional disciplines, including transportation.Incident Command System – ICS is part of one of the operationalcomponents of NIMS and provides a framework that allows numerousagencies and jurisdictions to work together in response to any typeof incident (all-hazards approach). While ICS operates on the basicprinciple that the majority of incidents are going to be handled at thelocal level, the ICS mold is flexible enough to provide a frameworkfor effectively responding to incidents that require a multi-agency ormulti-jurisdictional response.Regardless of how many agencies or jurisdictions are involved in anevacuation effort, the same guiding principles will be used for theresponse. Part of a successful evacuation plan will be the utilizationof ICS during an evacuation, which requires all relevant agencies andstakeholders to be familiar with and trained in ICS principles. Historically,transportation officials have less experience with ICS principlesthan emergency management officials; therefore, due to the integralrole transportation officials play during no-notice evacuations, everyeffort should be made to train them in ICS.18USING HIGHWAYS FOR NO-NOTICE EVACUATIONS