Plan for Evacuation of the Transportation Needs Populations of Central Ohio

Evacuation Plan for Transportation Needs Populations

MORPC recognizes the need to plan for the evacuation of Transportation Needs Populations in central Ohio. MORPC received a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to develop an evacuation planning framework that expressly addresses transportation needs populations. Transportation Needs Populations are defined as

Individuals who cannot drive or who do not have access to a vehicle and may require transportation support for successful evacuation. This support may include accessible vehicles (e.g., lift-equipped or vehicles suitable for transporting individuals who use oxygen) or information about how and where to access mass transportation during an evacuation.

This definition applies to those with language barriers as well as those who may have personal mobility needs. The plan, titled Planning Framework for Evacuation of the Transportation Needs Populations of Central Ohio, encompasses the seven-county area of Central Ohio. Those counties are Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union Counties. The Framework lays the groundwork for more robust strategies in the region to ensure that future evacuations will efficiently and effectively accommodate the vulnerable Transportation Needs Populations.

The need for evacuation planning that encompasses Transportation Needs Populations was clearly demonstrated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Unfortunately, many areas and regions still lack effective evacuation planning for these populations. Beyond the realm of Central Ohio, this Framework will serve as a nationwide model for regional cooperation in emergency preparedness for Transportation Needs Populations. It will be used as a guide by other regions throughout the United States in developing their own plans that are tailored to their regions.

Project Purpose

Communication and cooperation are critical to any evacuation planning and emergency preparedness activity, particularly as it concerns populations with specific mobility needs. The Central Ohio region includes over 200 local government agencies and almost 600 different taxing districts within the seven-county study area. Many, if not all, of these organizations and agencies have emergency operation plans in varying levels of detail. Additionally, there are other public and private sector organizations that have to take into account emergency preparedness and disaster response. Proper coordination is critical to ensure their respective plans take into account other plans that are already in place and that all plans, whether individually or in combination, address the Transportation Needs Populations. Lack of communication, resources, or proper planning in the event of a disaster will affect these populations first, and most directly.

The Central Ohio Planning Framework will allow the various emergency preparedness plans in the region to be coordinated and consistent with a regional strategy that focuses on the Transportation Needs Populations. The Framework is not intended to replace existing private sector, governmental, or other local emergency preparedness plans. Rather, it is intended to enhance existing agency plans by identifying potential conflicts and providing improvement and coordination recommendations to specific agencies, thus greatly minimizing the potential dangers of miscommunication or inconsistencies between plans. The goal is to create a seamless Framework for the region that builds upon and supplements jurisdictional plans that are already in place.

Planning Framework Development

The Planning Framework serves as a supplemental guide to assist the County Emergency Management Agencies (EMAs) in effectively addressing the various needs and requirements of Transportation Needs Populations during evacuation planning and evacuation events. This plan does not replace existing County plans and procedures. Refer to Planning Framework for more information on the Framework's content. The Framework is being developed by the project team with coordination by the Steering Committee, which consists of representatives from agencies and organizations best suited to develop the Framework. The Framework and its components were reviewed by and coordinated with stakeholders as part of the public involvement process. Project stakeholders include transit agencies along with transportation needs populations and the agencies and organizations that care for them and/or are connected to them.

Outreach for this project is coordinated with on-going research by The Ohio State University, sponsored by the Kettering Foundation. The research project focuses on understanding and improving communication within and between County agencies and affected populations as related to emergency planning and response.

Project Phases

The project activities are broken down into four phases, based upon development and implementation of the Planning Framework.

Phase I: Research/Analysis. This phase consists of the development of an Existing Conditions Report. Data and current reports, plans, and agreements were accumulated, followed by gap identification and development of initial recommendations. Extensive outreach was conducted to identify efforts already in place regarding emergency preparedness that address the Transportation Needs Populations.
Phase II: Planning. The Planning Framework is developed and refined during this phase. Based upon the Phase I recommendations, together with input from the Steering Committee and stakeholders, the regional evacuation and emergency preparedness plan were drafted (Planning Framework for Evacuation of the Transportation Needs Populations of Central Ohio).
Phase III: Adoption. During this phase, agreements are finalized between multiple agencies and a communication structure is created, allowing those involved in emergency preparedness and the Transportation Needs Populations to use a single regional source to address emergency preparedness in the region. The Framework document will be tailored and finalized in response to the input received during the adoption phase.
Phase IV: Implementation. This phase is ongoing; it requires training, continued update of the Planning Framework, and continued outreach to the involved organizations and agencies, particularly those representing Transportation Needs Populations and including non-English speaking residents. This phase integrates organizations, agencies, and populations into the training, outreach, and involvement associated with evacuation planning and actual evacuations in case of an emergency.