Nationwide Plan Review Phase 1 Report
Abstract
H.R. 3, the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), states in part: The Secretary [of Transportation] and the Secretary of Homeland Security, in coordination with Gulf Coast States and contiguous States, shall jointly review and assess Federal and State evacuation plans for catastrophic hurricanes impacting the Gulf Coast Region and report its findings and recommendations to Congress. The Secretaries shall consult with appropriate Federal, State, and local transportation and emergency management agencies and consider, at a minimum, all practical modes of transportation available for evacuations; the extent to which evacuation plans are coordinated with neighboring States; methods of communicating evacuation plans and preparing citizens in advance of evacuations; and methods of coordinating communication with evacuees during plan execution. In response to these requirements, DHS launched a nationwide review of State, Territorial, and urban area emergency and evacuation plans. Congress directed the Departments of Homeland Security and Transportation to collaborate in this important effort, and both are leveraging their respective expertise. Responsibility for the review was assigned to the Department of Homeland Security's new Preparedness Directorate. Staff and subject-matter experts developed a proposed review methodology that was approved by Secretary Michael Chertoff on October 26, 2005. On November 23, 2005, DHS issued an Information Bulletin to States, Territories and the 75 urban areas describing the review and identifying required submissions. The purpose of this Report is to summarize the results of these submissions, provide a preliminary analysis of the status of nationwide catastrophic planning, and identify next steps. Like Phase 1, Phase 2 will emphasize identification, prioritization, and correction of critical deficiencies (i.e., those that may prevent successful execution of the plan).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 10, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450763
Entities
Organizations
- United States Department of Homeland Security