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

ers include transportation planners and operations staff, district andcounty engineers, transportation management staff, dispatchers, androadway crews. This requires defining methods for coordination andcommunication with emergency management staff and first respondersand becoming familiar with NIMS, communication protocols, andstandard operating procedures.The following actions should be considered for inclusion in the plandevelopment process, to ensure that the command structure used duringan evacuation will be prepared to support the operational requirementsof a no-notice evacuation:Identify all entities – The command structure will, by necessity,depend on the agencies and organizations that it oversees. Manyemergency management and law enforcement entities have alreadyestablished command protocols that work well for them during emergencies.An evacuation, however, will involve a broader range ofparticipants, some of whom will likely not be experienced with formalcommand structures in an emergency context. Evacuations requirea diverse set of resources that will require the involvement of entitiessuch as transportation agencies (public and private), public worksdepartments, schools, hospitals, towing companies, and other serviceproviders. The overarching command structure should be compatiblewith the respective command structures and operating procedures ofall entities to ensure their full involvement. In most cases, the overallcommand structure will follow the guidance set forth in the jurisdiction’sEmergency Management Plan, and will likely be coordinatedthrough the emergency management department.Pre-determine authorities – Every jurisdiction has its own enablinglegislation regarding the authority of different parties in emergencysituations. Evacuation planners should clarify and document these aspart of the command structure development and include them in theCONOPS.n Which officials/agencies have the authority to declare an evacuationwithin a given jurisdiction?n Does an agency’s or official’s authority vary depending on the scope,location, or circumstances of the precipitating incident?n Are there requirements regarding a Declaration of Emergency, beforea wide-scale evacuation can be initiated?54 USING HIGHWAYS FOR NO-NOTICE EVACUATIONS