Paratransit Emergency Preparedness and Operations Handbook (2013)

Below is the uncorrected machine-read text of this chapter, intended to provide our own search engines and external engines with highly rich, chapter-representative searchable text of each book. Because it is UNCORRECTED material, please consider the following text as a useful but insufficient proxy for the authoritative book pages.

95 A p p e n d i x Term Acronym Definition Access and Functional Needs AFN Additional needs before, during, and after an incident in functional areas, including but not limited to, maintaining independence, communication, transportation, safety, support, and health care. Individuals in need of additional response assistance may include those who have disabilities, who live in the community or resident care centers, who are elderly, who are children, who are from diverse cultures, who have limited English proficiency or are non- English speaking, or who are transportation disadvantaged. After-Action Report AAR Documents that assess performance during disaster exercises and disaster incidents. After-action reports document successes and shortcomings and provide an improvement plan for resolving identified gaps. Americans with Disabilities Act ADA Enacted in 1990, this law prohibits private employers, state and local governments, employment agencies, and labor unions from discriminating against individuals based upon disability and mandates accessibility of public facilities and public information. American Public Transportation Association APTA A national association composed of public and private organizations that work to strengthen and improve public transportation and ensure availability and accessibility to all Americans in communities across the country. California Association for Coordinated Transportation CalACT The largest state transit association in the US with nearly 300 members, dedicated to promoting professional excellence, stimulating ideas and advocating for effective community transportation. Glossary and Acronyms

96 paratransit emergency preparedness and Operations Handbook Center for Urban Transporta- tion Research CUTR Established in 1988 within the University of South Florida, CUTR provides high-quality, objective transportation expertise in the form of technical support, policy analysis, and research support that translates directly into benefits for its project sponsors. Centers for Disease Control CDC A major operating component of the US Department of Health and Human Services committed to protecting health and promoting quality of life through prevention and control of disease, injury and disability. Chemical, Biological, and Radiological CBR A host of hazards requiring the response of hazardous materials technicians to help isolate and mitigate the risk. Commercial Driver’s License CDL Licenses issued by the states, with minimum standards set by the federal government, to improve highway safety by ensuring that drivers of large trucks and buses are qualified to operate those vehicles and to remove unsafe and unqualified drivers from highways. Transit drivers have an additional “passenger endorsement” requirement. Community Transportation Association of America CTAA A national association of organizations and individuals committed to removing barriers to isolation and improving mobility for all people. Community Transportation Association of the Northwest CTANW A network of traditional and non-traditional providers of transportation services to the public. The Association headquarters are in Olympia, Washington. Congregate and Residential Care Facilities CRCF A type of senior community from independent living to various kinds of assisted living. Consumable Medical Supplies (none) Includes, but is not limited to, catheters, ostomy supplies, gloves, bandages, and padding. These supplies are usually disposable and used by one person. Continuity of Operations Plan COOP A plan that outlines steps that an agency will take in the event a disaster interrupts business. Department of Homeland Security DHS Established in the aftermath of 9/11, a cabinet- level department in the US government charged with securing the nation from security threats. Department of Transportation DOT A state government agency charged with facilitat- ing mobility within the state. Departmental Emergency Operations Center DOC Established by a department or like jurisdiction to coordinate the emergency response activities within its purview. Term Acronym Definition

Glossary and Acronyms 97 Durable Medical Equipment (none) Includes, but is not limited to, wheelchairs (multiple types), canes, white canes, walkers, shower chairs, toilet chairs, raised toilet seats, oxygen equipment, nebulizer tubing and machines, and speech-generating devices. Emergency Operations Center EOC Established by a city, county, state, or federal oversight agency to marshal resources and facilitate interagency communication and coordination. Emergency Operations Plan EOP Document that describes who will do what, as well as when, with what resources, and by what authority, before, during, and immediately after an emergency. Emergency Support Function ESF The grouping of governmental and certain private-sector capabilities into an organi- zational structure to effectively coordinate and manage response activities needed to save lives, protect property, restore essential services and critical infrastructure, and assist individuals and communities to return to normal function. Employee Assistance Program EAP An employee benefit program that is intended to help employees deal with personal problems that might adversely impact their work performance, health, and well being. Federal Communications Commission FCC An independent US government agency established in 1934 that regulates inter- state and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and US territories. Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA An agency within the US DHS charged with supporting citizens and first responders to build, sustain, and improve US capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Federal Highway Administration FHWA An agency within the US Department of Transportation charged with improving mobility on the nation’s highways through national leadership, innovation, and program delivery. Federal Transit Administration FTA An agency within the US Department of Transportation that provides technical and financial assistance to local, state, and public transit agencies; monitors performance and compiles statistics; and makes recommenda- tions to the administration regarding US mass transit concerns. Term Acronym Definition

98 paratransit emergency preparedness and Operations Handbook Government Emergency Telecommunications System GETS A White House-directed emergency phone service provided by the National Commu- nications System that provides emergency access and priority processing in the local and long-distance segments of the public switched telephone network. Hazard and Security Plan HSP A plan that sets out procedures for maintaining safe and secure transportation operations and service environment for passengers, employees and volunteers, and the surround- ing community. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIPAA Enacted in 1996, HIPAA provides federal protections for personal health information and improves the portability and continuity of health insurance coverage. Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program HSEEP A capabilities-and-performance-based exercise program that provides a standardized methodology and terminology for exercise design, development, conduct, evaluation, and improvement planning. Homeland Security Presidential Directive 5 HSPD-5 Serves to enhance the ability of the United States to manage domestic incidents by establishing a single comprehensive National Incident Management System. Homeland Security Standards Panel HSSP A part of the American National Standards Institute, charged with identifying existing consensus standards or, if none exist, assist- ing the US DHS and those sectors requesting assistance to accelerate development and adoption of consensus standards critical to homeland security. Immediate Actions IAs Suggested quick-response procedures that may help prevent or mitigate a terrorist or violent criminal act. Improvised Explosive Device IED A homemade bomb constructed and deployed in ways other than in conventional military action. Incident Action Plan IAP An oral or written plan containing general objectives reflecting the strategy for managing an incident that may include identifying operational resources and assignments, attachments that provide direction, and important information for management of the incident for the operational period. Incident Command Post ICP The physical location of the tactical-level, on-scene incident command and management organization located near or in the immediate vicinity of an incident site or co-located with the Incident Base. In a FEMA response, this is normally the Joint Field Office (JFO). Term Acronym Definition

Glossary and Acronyms 99 Incident Command System ICS A standardized, on-scene, all-hazards incident management approach. Incident Objectives (none) Statements of guidance and direction necessary for the selection of appropriate strategies and the tactical direction of resources. Incident objectives are based on realistic expectations of what can be accomplished when all allocated resources have been effectively deployed. Incident objectives must be achievable and measurable, yet flexible enough to allow for strategic and tactical alternatives. International Association of Emergency Managers IAEM A non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting the “Principles of Emergency Management” and representing those professionals whose goals are saving lives and protecting property and the environment during emergencies and disasters. Limited English Proficient LEP Individuals who do not speak English as the primary language and who have a limited ability to read, speak, write, or understand English. Local Emergency Planning Committee LEPC Non-operational, quasi-governmental bodies, usually at the municipal level, that identify and catalog potential hazards, identify available resources, mitigate hazards when feasible, and support emergency preparedness. Memorandum of Understanding MOU Document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties. A prime vehicle for “contracting” between government agencies. Mission Assignment (none) A work order issued by FEMA Operations to another federal agency directing completion of a specific task that is used to support federal operations in a Stafford Act major disaster or emergency declaration. National Communications System NCS A single unified communications system that assists the President, the National Security Staff, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget in (1) the exercise of the telecommunications functions and responsibilities and (2) the coordination of the planning for and provi- sion of national security and emergency preparedness communications for the federal government under all circumstances, includ- ing crisis or emergency, attack & recovery and reconstitution. Term Acronym Definition

100 paratransit emergency preparedness and Operations Handbook National Cooperative Highway Research Program NCHRP Created in 1962 as a means to conduct research in acute problem areas that affect highway planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance nationwide. Administered by the Transportation Research Board. National Incident Management System NIMS A comprehensive, national approach to incident management that is applicable at all jurisdic- tional levels and across functional disciplines. It enables seamless coordination to prevent, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate the effects of incidents, regardless of cause, size, location, or complexity, in order to reduce the loss of life and property and harm to the environment. National Response Framework NRF Presents the guiding principles that enable all response partners to prepare for and provide a unified national response to disasters and emergencies. Non-emergency Medical Transportation NEMT Transportation services to people who need medical support but are medically stable. Trips to dialysis are a common form of non- emergency medical transportation in the United States. Non-emergency Stretcher Transport NEST The transportation of a person with non- emergency medical conditions in a supine position in a vehicle designed, constructed, or reconstructed for the purpose of safe conveyance. Office for Domestic Preparedness ODP Operates within the Directorate of Border and Transportation Security and has the primary responsibility within the executive branch of government for the preparedness of the United States for acts of terrorism. (It was formerly the Office for State & Local Domestic Preparedness, Department of Justice.) Public Information Officer PIO The communication coordinator or spokesperson of an agency whose primary responsibility is to provide information to the media and the public, as required. Resident Care Centers (none) Licensed care facilities, congregate facilities, residential facilities, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, group homes, and intermediate care facilities. Security-Sensitive Information SSI A category of sensitive but unclassified infor- mation obtained in the conduct of security activities whose public disclosure would harm transportation security or reveal privileged or confidential information. Term Acronym Definition

Glossary and Acronyms 101 Transit Cooperative Research Program TCRP TCRP is funded by the public, through the FTA, and is governed by an independent board. Day-to-day management of the TCRP is the responsibility of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. Transportation Security Administration TSA Component of the US DHS charged with pro- tecting the nation’s transportation systems to ensure freedom of movement for people and commerce. Unified Command (none) An Incident Command System application used when there is more than one agency with incident jurisdiction or when incidents cross political jurisdictions. Agencies work together through the designated members of the Unified Command to establish their designated Incident Commanders at a single Incident Command Post and establish a common set of objectives and strategies and a single Incident Action Plan. Urban Area Strategic Initiative UASI A funding area of the US DHS aimed at coordinating preparedness efforts and building response capacity of the multiple jurisdictions within the thirty-one highest- threat/highest-density urban areas in the United States. US Department of Transportation USDOT Cabinet-level department of the US government charged with ensuring fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient transportation systems that meet vital national interests and enhance the quality of life. Term Acronym Definition

Abbreviations and acronyms used without definitions in TRB publications: AAAE American Association of Airport Executives AASHO American Association of State Highway Officials AASHTO American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials ACI–NA Airports Council International–North America ACRP Airport Cooperative Research Program ADA Americans with Disabilities Act APTA American Public Transportation Association ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers ASME American Society of Mechanical Engineers ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials ATA American Trucking Associations CTAA Community Transportation Association of America CTBSSP Commercial Truck and Bus Safety Synthesis Program DHS Department of Homeland Security DOE Department of Energy EPA Environmental Protection Agency FAA Federal Aviation Administration FHWA Federal Highway Administration FMCSA Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FRA Federal Railroad Administration FTA Federal Transit Administration HMCRP Hazardous Materials Cooperative Research Program IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ISTEA Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 ITE Institute of Transportation Engineers NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASAO National Association of State Aviation Officials NCFRP National Cooperative Freight Research Program NCHRP National Cooperative Highway Research Program NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NTSB National Transportation Safety Board PHMSA Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration RITA Research and Innovative Technology Administration SAE Society of Automotive Engineers SAFETEA-LU Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (2005) TCRP Transit Cooperative Research Program TEA-21 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (1998) TRB Transportation Research Board TSA Transportation Security Administration U.S.DOT United States Department of Transportation