SCOTS Strategic Issues
Breakout Session Results
1. Interoperable Communications
Discussion:
· Transportation agencies need to communicate with first responder agencies
· Diversity of radio communications is a problem
Recommendation: SCOTS must encourage DOTs to become involved in and take a leadership role in their state’s interoperable communication discussions.
2. Incorporate security and emergency management into DOTs’ planning, design, & construction processes
Discussion:
· All designs for construction must consider security. (SAFTEA-LU, Sec 6100)
· Need to define what “consider security” means
· Designing for security is cost effective in long run
Recommendation: SCOTS should develop a checklist for use in enacting SAFTEA-LU Section 6100 requirement to “consider security.” Agree on broadening security to include all hazards emergency management.
3. Professional capacity building in the transportation community
Discussion:
· With the impending retirements in the industry we need to develop more core expertise in all hazards emergency management and security
· Need to define “emergency responder” and “first responder”
Recommendation: SCOTS should clarify definitions and support the development of a curriculum with particular emphasis on homeland security and all hazards infrastructure protection.
4. Integrate security into state DOTs’ day-to-day planning, operations, and maintenance activities
Discussion:
· Ensuring maintenance and operation activities practice good security is essential. Has to be institutionalized.
Recommendation: SCOTS should promote the DOTs’ responsibility to develop plans for institutionalizing security practices and procedures in day-to-day operations
5. DOTs need to understand how technology can be used to deal effectively with security and all hazards emergency management issues
Discussion:
Recommendation: SCOTS should identify best practices of effective use of technology which would be accomplished in association with other partners and associations, e.g TISP, ASCE, ITE, IEEE
6. Move from emergency management plans to action/implementation
Discussion:
Recommendation: SCOTS should focus attention on appropriate outreach techniques to promote implementation of material that has been developed and build awareness.
7. DOTs should identify core capabilities and essential services that must be preserved in a crisis
Discussion:
o A systematic national level assessment of core capabilities and essential services that must be preserved
Recommendation: SCOTS should develop a framework with the goal of id’ing core capabilities and essential services.
8. Not all States are participating in SCOTS
9. Promote a regional forum for dialogue
10. State DOTs lack a full range of countermeasures to protect critical infrastructure
Discussion
Recommendation: SCOTS should foster research in developing an array of effective countermeasures that can be used by DOTs to develop their programs based on risk assessment results
11. DOT involvement with first responders
Discussion:
o DOTs are not recognized by first responders on state, regional and national levels
o NIMS – Who gets trained, what level of training is required?
o How many states have authorized emergency vehicles (lights/siren)?
o Standard Response (Unified Response) Manual should address all points including training, standardized terminology
o How should DOTs react with traditional First Responders
Recommendation: Get DOTs to comply with NIMS
12. SCOTS should standardize exercises and training
Discussion
o NCHRP Guide for Transportation Emergency Training Exercises
Recommendation: SCOTS should develop standardized, certifiable internal and external training exercises for transportation.
13. SCOTS needs to administer some level of State DOT Emergency Preparedness standard
Discussion
o SCOTS needs to distribute “Best Practices” information between the states.
Recommendation:
14. Information Sharing
Discussion
· Whose job is it to funnel information to the DOT from the Federal level?
· Information required is not necessarily “real-time” but at a planning and operational level.
· SCOTS needs to collect and distribute “Best Practices” information between the States.
· Role of Highway Watch
Recommendation: SCOTS needs to investigate, assimilate and disseminate information to the states. A more robust information sharing system needs to be set up to allow DOTs to share information
15. System-wide Risk Assessment Approaches
Discussion
Need to have risk assessment techniques for events that have effect across multiple infrastructure assets, taking into account economic impacts, supply chains, etc.
Recommendation: System network analysis that incorporates quantifiable economic analysis
16. Organize information so that DOTs can use and disseminate it to those who need it.
Discussion:
Who needs it? How do we use it? What are the best channels for getting the information out? Information sharing is keys (DHS & TSA)
17. Mainstream security in design and operation
18. What is everyone doing in Risk Management (Feds, States, Private Sector)
Defining Risk Management Terms – (Impact and Longer Term)
19. How can state ITS systems be integrated
Discussion
· Interoperability needs to be involved
Recommendation:
20. Can SCOTS be involved in getting EMAs to recognize DOTs as a resource and partner.