Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forums

PROGRAM AREA: All

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is pleased to invite you to participate in "Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Regional Forums." These forums are a key component of the aggressive security initiative launched by FTA following the attacks of September 11^th, and are intended to help transportation and emergency response agencies work together to prepare and protect their communities.

The two-day forums have been designed to serve as a catalyst for dialogue between local transit agencies and emergency officials, and will educate attendees on the concepts of emergency management as well as the process for developing and updating security and emergency plans. The forums were developed for transit agency management and security personnel; police and fire personnel responsible for emergency management coordination; emergency medical services and hospital disaster relief coordinators; and state and local government emergency management coordinators. Participants will gain a better understanding of the roles played by each agency and begin the process of developing the plans, tools and relationships necessary to respond effectively in an emergency situation. In addition, the forums will help foster communication among transit agencies, which is critically important as we work together to help protect America’s public transportation passengers, employees and infrastructure.

Scheduled Forums

May 15-16
Orlando, FL
Orlando Airport Marriott 7499
Augusta National Drive
(407) 841-2279

June 19-20
Philadelphia, PA
Sheraton Society Hill
One Dock Street
(215) 580-4000

July 24-25
Seattle, WA
Crown Plaza Seattle
1113 - 6^th Avenue
(206) 684-1619

FTA Regional Forum Goals

• Position the FTA and stakeholders as the catalyst for dialogue between local transit agencies and emergency officials (build a communication network from key groups in each community).
• Review the concepts of emergency management and the essential components of emergency and security plans.
• Facilitate an understanding among attendees on the elements, people, organizations, procedures, equipment and facilities of an effective emergency management program and how interaction of these elements affects the management of the emergency situation.

Regional Forum Messages

• Keeping communities safe and moving is everyone’s responsibility and the infrastructure of support and coordination between transit and emergency agencies is paramount.
• The need for participation in the forums is immediate. The content is relevant and necessary for public safety.
• The Emergency Preparedness and Security forums are part of the U.S. Government’s ongoing efforts to improve homeland security.
• The forums present an opportunity for small to mid-size transit agencies to network with each other, as well as first responders in their communities, and to learn the latest safety and security best practices surrounding a crisis situation.

Please contact Len Diamond, FTA’s Senior Security and Emergency Management Specialist, at 202/366-4380 with further questions. Additional information about the forums can be found at [www.transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov/training/conferences.asp].

Sincerely,

Blas M. Uribe
Acting Regional Administrator