National emergency response plan for transit launched

Sep 22, 2006 2:40 PM

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has announced that more than 125 public transportation agencies and suppliers across the nation have agreed to participate in a new national Emergency Response and Preparedness Program (ERPP).
Administered by APTA, and with funding support from the Federal Transit Administration, the ERPP coordinates resources and personnel to assist agencies that are conducting emergency evacuations or are responding to other catastrophic situations.
"The Emergency Response and Preparedness Program is the first national program to help the transit industry respond to our country's emergency events," says APTA president William W. Millar. "Last year, when Hurricane Katrina hit, red tape and a lack of national inventory of available resources made responding effectively difficult."
Participating organizations will list available equipment and personnel in a national ERPP database.
"With an inventory of available vehicles, equipment and personnel in place, the U.S. transit industry can quickly respond to major and minor emergencies," Millar adds. "This voluntary program will help fellow transit systems respond to the needs of citizens in the communities they serve."

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