Emergency Response Preparedness Program (ERPP)
September 2009 Newsletter
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ERPP developments
Emergency Preparedness news
Severe Weather & Catastrophes
Documents & Resources
ERPP Developments
National Preparedness Month 2009
September is National Preparedness Month. ERPP, along with thousands of other
organizations has joined the Ready Campaign to spread the emergency preparedness message
this September for the sixth annual National Preparedness Month (NPM). Coalition Members
during NPM share preparedness information with their members, customers, employees and
communities. For more information visit www.Ready.gov
October is National Fire Prevention Month, a time when that transit agencies should all
be practice their fire safety and prevention drills. Many Americans and agencies underestimate
the risk of fire, and need to review their emergency response plans that involve their agency and
surrounding areas to fully prepare for this hazard. ERPP will continue to inform agencies of
developments and informational webinars as they occur.
ERPP Full Scale Exercise
The Emergency Response Preparedness Program (ERPP) is planning a Transit specific
FSE intended for the late fall of 2009 in Greater Washington DC Area. The summer exercise was
postponed to due unforeseen circumstances and incidents. We are now moving forward with this
exercise and are putting it on a fast track to be conducted this December. Previous discussion
indicated transit properties will utilize the ERPP system to indicate an emergency situation that
requires assistance from neighboring transit agencies.
Preliminary Scenario:
WMATA experiences difficulties with a major electrical substation that provides power to their
redline train. The substation begins to malfunction and is shut down due to safety concerns.
WMATA buses are dispatched to move displaced passengers but are unable to adequately serve
the area because many of the buses were not able to adequately fill their fuel tanks the night
before due to intermittent loss of electricity at the fueling center. The decision is made to seek
outside assistance from neighboring transit agencies to address the problem. WMATA then
utilizes ERPP to request resources from members in the surrounding area. MTA and other
transit providers respond to the ERPP request, and coordinate with WMATA on providing the
requested resources to move the affected and resources.
 Goal: Create a “realistic” scenario that satisfies participating transit agencies.
 Scope: local, state level (Northern Virginia, DC, Maryland)
 Disaster: Power outage
 Participating agencies: MTA Maryland, WMATA, FTA, USDOT, APTA/ERPP and
possibly state DOTs, local utilities and 1st responders
A planning webinar will be held September 29th from 2:00-3:30pm (EST). If you are interested
in participating or observing in the near future please contact dhahn@apta.com for more
information.
A follow up TTE will occur shortly thereafter to that will incorporate the lessons learned from
the full scale exercise and will help educate members, improve the overall program.
Visit www.APTAERPP.com
to update your user profile and confirm your agency information.
Emergency Preparedness news and information
Government Reports
Flood Insurance: Opportunities Exist to Improve Oversight of the WYO Program. GAO-09-455,
August 21, 2009 - Highlights - http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d09455high.pdf
Severe Weather & Catastrophes
Current threats & conditions
 Hurricanes
NHC is stating that there are no hurricanes or tropical storms at this time.
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Lesson Learned from Hugo: Preparedness Key to Weathering Hurricanes
Sep 21, 2009 The South Carolina Insurance News Service says when Hurricane
Hugo pummeled the coast in 1989 it cost the state $4.2 billion in
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'Hurricane Ivan changed the world': Destin ponders lessons learned
Sep 16, 2009 Executive Director Richard Griswold of Destin Water Users saw
more differences since 2004: “Hurricane Ivan changed the world. After Ivan,
utilities were.
Influenza
APTA is advising members and customers to visit www.flu.gov for an extensive
overview of the current outbreak of (H1N1) and for recommendations of how to combat
the virus. Public transit systems are encouraging customers and employees to wash their
hands, cover their mouths while riding or working on public transit. In addition, the
Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), and APTA
are referring systems to the Transit Sector Pandemic Flu plan.
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H1N1 vaccine should begin to be available for distribution by mid-October.
However, due to unexpected delays in the manufacturing process, the full
implementation of the vaccine program could be delayed. flu.gov Vaccination
is the best protection against contracting the flu. You need two vaccines to be
fully protected this year.
Additional flu guidance is available below
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Pandemic Preparedness
Proposed Guidance on Workplace Stockpiling of Respirators and
Facemasks for Pandemic Influenza http://www.osha.gov/dsg/guidance/stockpiling-facemasks-respirators.html
H1N1 Flu Resources for Businesses and Employers http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/business/
How to Protect Yourself in the Workplace during a Pandemic http://www.osha.gov/Publications/protect-yourself-pandemic.html
What Employers Can Do to Protect Workers from Pandemic Influenza http://www.osha.gov/Publications/
As a part of its response to the outbreak, CDC is issuing new H1N1 flu
guidance: http://www.pandemicflu.gov/
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Floods
Currently there are 28 areas experiencing flooding.
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Fires
There are 12 areas on fire including wildfires burning in throughout the western states.
Reports & Resources
Other links
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Today’s Forecast http://www.nws.noaa.gov/outlook_tab.html
Earthquake Hazards: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsus/
Traffic and Road Closures: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/Trafficinfo/
DHS Daily Report: http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/programs/editorial_0542.shtm
FEMA Situation Report: http://www.fema.gov/emergency/reports/index.shtm