The changing nature of terrorism presents new challenges for public transportation agencies, requiring transit personnel to assume more responsibility for activities to mitigate the impacts of terrorism and improve related emergency response capabilities. This paper discusses the Bay Area's Trans Response Plan and how the concept has expanded into emergency preparedness for transit terrorism. The paper provides background on California's Standardized Emergency Management System as practiced by MTC, Caltrans, and transit agencies as these organizations work together to respond to emergencies involving multiple jurisdictions. The author examined how the Plan calls for MTC to perform as the regional clearinghouse for transportation coordination and public information. The paper further documents the logical interaction between transit security and emergency response in managing the consequences of a hazard, crime scene, or a stated threat to deploy a device or weapon of mass destruction. Finally, it offers suggestions on the benefits for building and sustaining interagency relationships at all levels among multiple disciplines to ensure effective response and recovery.
Abstract