LESSONS LEARNED North County Transit District Paratransit Response Firestorm 2007 San Diego County

BACKGROUND Two Transit Agencies North County Transit District Northern San Diego County Operates Breeze Fixed Route, FAST Demand Response, LIFT Paratransit, Coaster Commuter Rail, Sprinter Light Rail (as of March, 2008) Metropolitan Transit Services Central and Southern San Diego County Operates Fixed Route, DART Demand Response, Access and Suburban Paratransit, Trolley

County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services (OES) County of fs San Diego Office of fe Emergency Services Lead agency in coordination for disaster response Responsible for alerting and notifying appropriate agencies when disaster strikes Coordinating all agencies that respond Ensuring resources are available and mobilized in times of disaster Developing plans and procedures for response to and recovery from disasters Developing and providing preparedness materials for the public.

County of San Diego Office of Emergency Services (OES) Staffs the Operational Area Emergency Operations Center central facility providing regional coordinated emergency response Acts as staff to the Unified Disaster Council (UDC), a joint powers agreement between all 18 incorporated cities and the County of San Diego. The UDC provides for coordination of plans and programs countywide to ensure protection of life and property.

HISTORY & LESSONS LEARNED 2003 Cedar Fire 2004-20062006 Multi-Agency Hazard Mitigation Plan 2007 County OES & regional partners complete: San Diego Operational Area Evacuation Plan San Diego Operational Area Recovery Plan MTS and NCTD paratransit services develop Standard Operating Procedures for Disaster Response

LESSONS LEARNED - San Diego Operational Area Evacuation Plan Outlines procedures and organizational structures for a coordinated regional evacuation effort. Transportation routes and capacities are identified County-wide shelter space identified with considerations for special needs populations. Evacuation Plan is a template for cities to use to develop their individual evacuation plans.

LESSONS LEARNED - San Diego Operational Area Recovery Plan Addresses short and long-term restoration ti plans for communities impacted by disaster, including issues like: debris removal coordination of financial assistance and housing economic recovery measures to reduce or eliminate the effects of future incidents. The Recovery Plan is designed to provide guidance to jurisdictions and organizations within the County of San Diego as they continue their own recovery planning.

LESSONS LEARNED: NCTD/MTS Standard Operating Procedures for ADA Paratransit during Disaster NCTD LIFT and MTS Access utilize same: paratransit contractor phone system regional map system scheduling software

LESSONS LEARNED: NCTD/MTS Standard Operating Procedures for ADA Paratransit during Disaster st Priority is safety of passengers; ensure not stranded 1 st Passenger status On board Drivers to verify facility where disembarking will remain open Pre-existing existing scheduled trips Traveled earlier in day; need trip home Transport to: Residential address Defined evacuation center Unofficial evacuation center predetermined by a program

LESSONS LEARNED: NCTD/MTS Standard Operating Procedures for ADA Paratransit during Disaster 2 nd Priority is to assure mobilization ability to facilitate relief efforts Rolling stock Paratransit facilities Equipment Radios Scheduling hardware/software Phones Maintenance equipment

LESSONS LEARNED: NCTD/MTS Standard Operating Procedures for ADA Paratransit during Disaster If either facility in jeopardy or sustaining damage Transfer vehicles Transfer equipment Transfer staff

LESSONS LEARNED: NCTD/MTS Standard Operating Procedures for ADA Paratransit during Disaster If neither facility has communications nor can vehicles be safely garaged Communicate with Contractor and Agency management locate safe base of operations staff available for relocation Communicate with Emergency Response Chain of Command Personnel needs for facilitation of evacuation Prioritize transfer of other equipment Value Utility to current emergency Space available for transport

2007 Wildfires NCTD Paratransit Sunday, October 21 Harris Fire 9:23 a.m. Witch Creek fire 1:06 p.m. 7 p.m. contact with LIFT contractor Determined lifeline service only medical, food, emergency Resources available for evacuations Operators and rolling stock out of harm s way Air quality issues

2007 Wildfires NCTD Paratransit Monday, October 22 Contacted disability organizations and media County OES notified NCTD Bus Operations that paratransit vehicles needed for evacuation of nursing home in Rancho Bernardo Bus Ops Supervisor contacted Accessible Services Administrator Accessible Services Administrator contacted NCTD LIFT contractor and coordinated with MTS Access Together, 24 vehicles accommodated evacuation of 100+ passengers with wheelchairs

2007 Wildfires NCTD Buses Monday, October 22 BREEZE bus weekday service with frequent interruptions, evacuations, detours and road closures cosu FAST Ramona service shut down Assisted with evacuations in Ramona Dust masks issued to operators

2007 Wildfires NCTD Buses Tuesday, October 23 Sunday service schedule for BREEZE and FAST Rotated drivers to reduce exposure FAST Fallbrook service shut down Assisted with evacuations New fire on Camp Pendleton

2007 Fires NCTD Buses & Rail Wednesday, October 24 Continued Sunday schedule for buses Some detours and closures still in effect North/South rail line threatened Track maintenance crews mobilized fire fighting detail No damage to railroad infrastructure

LESSONS LEARNED Internal Planning Check equipment and facilities for accessibility Develop pp plans,,p procedures, checklists, chain of command Educate employees Passenger needs Expectations Procedures Keep information updated Passenger information Employee information Communicate

Multiple l forms Internet Land lines Cell phones Radios Internal LESSONS LEARNED Communications Chain of command/notification system External Partners Public Accessible formats

LESSONS LEARNED Inter-Agency Coordination Full Access & Coordinated d Transportation ti 211 Consolidated Transportation Service Agency Database of county-wide specialized transportation resources 24 hour community, health and disaster information County of San Diego Emergency website including other agency information Cities and Transit provide Emergency Preparedness Coordinators State Emergency Response and Recovery Conference Local businesses Business Emergency Response Initiative Symposium

LESSONS LEARNED Inter-Agency Coordination Assess passenger needs Ambulatory Mobility devices Service animals Medications Assistance required Protocols for emergencies Roster with passenger and trip information Identify resources necessary for evacuations Develop agreements between agencies

LESSONS LEARNED Current Issues Being Addressed Identify yp people p with disabilities who are not in agency structure Develop voluntary registries Addresses Types of disabilities/medical needs Mobility aids Types of assistance needed Include private transportation agency resources in county database Accessibility of vehicles Inter-agency agreements Shared use of vehicles, fuel, scheduling/dispatching Identification of individuals requiring assistance funding Centralize dispatch of private transportation resources Engaging private businesses

Contact information Alane Haynes, Accessible Services Administrator North County Transit District 810 Mission Avenue Oceanside, CA 92054 Phone (760 760) 966-6607 6607 Fax (760 760) 967-0941 Ahaynes@nctd.org