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Appendix Final Project Presentation 1
Midwest Research Institute Solutions through science and technology A Guide to Traffic Control of Rural Roads in an Agricultural Emergency 2 Midwest Research Institute, headquartered in Kansas City, MO, has conducted research to aid local agencies in the event of an agricultural emergency including a terrorist attack on our food supply. Specifically, this guide covers traffic control if stop movement or quarantine operations are necessary due to the deliberate or accidental introduction of foreign plant or animal diseases into the U. S. food supply system.
Recent Agricultural Emergencies ⢠CaliforniaâExotic New Castle Disease (END) ⢠BritainâFoot and Mouth Disease (FMD) ⢠British Columbia, CanadaâAvian Influenza (AI) ⢠These three incidents were not terrorism but took millions of dollars and thousands of people to controlâ¦imagine the impact with terrorist intent ⢠None of these three disease outbreaks could have been controlled and stopped without effective quarantines and isolation controls 3 Although these incidents were not related to terrorism, they do illustrate the tremendous damage done by any outbreak. The main weapon to combat the spread of any of these diseases is quarantines and stop movement orders for all affected species.
ââ¦. A biological attack against an agricultural target offers terrorists a virtually risk-free form of assaultâ¦â -Gilmore Commission report to Congress 1999 âFor the life of me, I cannot understand why the terrorists have not attacked our food supply because it is so easy to do.â -Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, 2004 4 As you can see from these quotes, the possibility of an attack on our food supply was being discussed even before 9\11 and members of the cabinet still see it as a distinct possibility.
It Happened Here 5 We were all shocked when the World Trade Center and Pentagon were attacked on 9/11/01.
6 Is it possible that terrorists would attack our food supply system? But Could It Happen Here
7 If an enemy can attack our means of providing food to those living in the United States, they will cause tremendous disruption to our economy and could destroy confidence in American agricultural products for years to come. What is Agroterrorism? ⢠Agroterrorism can be defined as the deliberate introduction of a pathogen into the pre harvest or post harvest stages of food and fiber production Agroterrorism is not about killing people; it is a form of terrorism to deplete resources, destroy an economy and cause social unrest
Britain has recently suffered another outbreak of foot and mouth disease that was kept to a much smaller area thanks to swift quarantines. Outcomes ⢠It has been estimated that it will cost $1,000,000.00 for each hour that foot and mouth disease goes undetected in the United States ⢠Social unrest if eradication and quarantines are long term operations ⢠Significant mental health impact for agriculture producers 8
9 An outbreak of a disease can cost a tremendous amount whether it is introduced intentionally or naturally. The food industry is aware of the need for serious measures to control the spread of the infection. Kansas State Study âAs much as $945 million. Thatâs what agricultural economists at Kansas State University say could be the impact on Kansasâ economy were there a large-scale foot-and-mouth outbreak in a region thick with livestock operations.â -Science Daily (Nov. 29,2007)
10 For some areas and diseases, a 6-mile quarantine may be necessary to stop the spread of an infection. Possible Scenario ⢠Assume a Quarantine that covers the area within 6 miles of the site of infection
11 In many circumstances, the minimum area that would be affected would be a 6-mile radius circle from the point of infection. How many check points would that mean for your county? In most rural counties that will entail 15 to 35 road closures or traffic control points. Possible Scenario ⢠How many road checks or blocks will be needed to contain movement of agriculture produce, animals or infection?
In this hypothetical scenario⦠⢠21 locations where a road crosses the quarantine boundary ⢠15 of those become no access road closures ⢠4 locations become traffic checkpoints where vehicles may be inspected and/or detoured ⢠2 locations become traffic check points with cleaning and disinfection for handling vehicles leaving agricultural areas ⢠Durationâ1 to 6 months or more 12 The traffic control required for such a scenario, even in a rural area, can be extensive, as described in this scenario.
The Guide MRI has contracted with the National Cooperative Highway Research Program to develop a guide for emergency traffic control in rural areas. This guide includes input from many state and local animal health and agriculture experts, as well as traffic engineers, law enforcement officials, veterinarians and public health experts. 13
Purpose of Guide ⢠To assist highway agencies, law enforcement, and emergency management officials in rural areas respond to disease outbreaks that require quarantine and isolation controls 14 The responsibility for traffic control is usually left to local law enforcement agencies. In quarantine operations that may last two months or longer; local law enforcement will need assistance from a number of other local and state agencies. The guide discusses a response structure that will include the local highway department, state law enforcement agencies, and state highway offices.
15 Hopefully the first four bullets are things youâve already covered when developing any other emergency response plan. These are the kinds of things that are discussed in NIMS and ICS training, which many of you may have already had. The purpose of this guide is not to focus on those, but to briefly discuss how they come in to play in an agricultural emergency and to give you an opportunity to make sure the structures and plans you already have in place will cover the kinds of emergencies weâre discussing today. The fifth bullet, which covers developing an actual traffic control plan, is what is described in the guide. Topics Discussed ⢠Traffic control command structure ⢠Communication plans ⢠Determining available and needed resources ⢠Setting up MOUs or contracts with neighboring agencies and private contractors ⢠Detailing traffic control plan
16 These stages refer to traffic control and are somewhat different than the four stages mentioned in NIMS which are prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Of course, the best case scenario is that your prevention is so good that an incident never occurs. But if an incident does occur, the response can only be as good as your preparedness. Preparedness includes an analysis of potential vulnerabilities, a careful look at agricultural travel patterns as well as alternate routes around agricultural areas, and an inventory of resources that could be used in a response. The initial response takes place in the time between when a FAD is first suspected to when its presence is confirmed. The actions taken during this stage may vary significantly from region to region depending on the local and state legislations, policies, and authority. The emphasis should be placed on keeping animals suspected of being infected away from other animals, and on reducing the spread of contamination via people, vehicles, equipment, etc. Because local law enforcement may not be given the authority to restrict movement of people or animals until the suspected disease is confirmed, this stage requires a good working relationship and cooperation with and from local producers in order to increase voluntary compliance. The long term response begins once the disease has been confirmed and may last weeks or months, depending on how early the disease is identified and how well contamination is contained. The long term response will be a joint effort between local, state and federal authorities, but if the quarantine area is large (the disease has been identified in more than one location), resources may be stretched thin, and local responders may bear the burden of the response. Incident Stages ⢠Preparednessâprior to FAD detection ⢠Initial Responseâfrom when symptoms are reported to confirmation of FAD by Plum Island ⢠Long Term Responseâfrom positive confirmation to eradication of FAD USDA authorized laboratory
Parties Responsible for Initial Traffic Control ⢠Local law enforcement ⢠Local and state highway agencies ⢠? 17 Traffic control for other incidents is usually handled by law enforcementâwhen a signal goes out, when cars have to be directed around a crash scene or debris in the roadway, when a high traffic event clogs intersections (after a football game at the high school, etc.) Public works employees and state maintenance and construction crews have experience directing traffic around temporary work zones. Who else in your area has responsibilities for traffic control? Who in your county has drawn and/or implemented traffic control plans?
Levels of Traffic Control 1. Traffic Stop/Check Point with Disinfection Station 2. Traffic Stop/Check Point 3. Road Closed, No Access 18 Weâve developed three different levels of traffic control, and for each location where a road enters and/or exits the quarantined area, a decision must be made as to which level will be used at that location. Of course, there is a fourth level, which is not listed here, and that is no control at all. In the earliest stages, you may have to leave some boundaries without control while resources and manpower are gathered. You will have to make decisions about the most critical locations that should be addressed first.
19 These signs are taken from the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (FHWA). The use of standard official traffic control devices is recommended when possible; however, in emergencies other non-standard devices may have to be used until standard devices are available. Pink fluorescent signs can also be used for emergency traffic control. Standard Emergency Management Signs
20 which will take considerable time and disinfectant. Sites with cleaning and disinfection facilities will be the most difficult to locate and maintain. In many cases agencies may prefer to disinfect personnel rather than vehicles
21 Early control for traffic check points may be signs and a law enforcement vehicle.
22 However, long-term controls at traffic check points will add additional personnel and provision for diversion points that can be used to turn around or detain vehicles.
23 For road closures, the road is simply barricaded and no access is permitted. This plan shows minimal traffic controls used for early stages of the response. Non-standard traffic controls may be used during this phase if standard traffic controls are not available.
24 Traversable barricades with road closed signs indicate that no access is allowed. Road Closure
25 Similar to previous barricade with fencing. Road Closure
26 As time permits, additional signs and controls can be added to the road closures and detours can be signed to take traffic around the quarantine area or direct them to traffic check points where they can enter the quarantine area under permit.
27 All of these agencies and others could provide equipment or expertise in traffic control during an agricultural emergency. Take some time to think about who in your area has vehicles with flashers, barricades, hay bales, signs, sign installation equipment, fencing, gates, etc. Determine what your communityâs resources are ahead of time so that you can access them easily when needed. Suggested Resources ⢠Utility Companies ⢠Construction Companies ⢠Producers ⢠State Patrol ⢠National Guard ⢠Fire Departments
28 If a foreign animal or plant disease is confirmed in your county, chances are high that neighboring counties will also soon be responding to their own cases. Consider forming aid agreements with agencies in counties farther away. Have detailed plans ahead of time for what tasks those agencies will assist with, what the command structure will be (who will oversee them and give them orders, etc.), and how communication will be handled. Mutual Aid Agreements ⢠Review aid agreements to determine if they include agencies in counties that do not neighbor yours â Determine how reimbursement for manpower and use of equipment will be handled ahead of time â Consider what roles assisting agencies will have and have a clearly defined command structure and communication plan before they arrive
29 You should have your own ICS already defined, and it may or may not look like the example shown here. Whatever yours is, make sure that you can define which section, branch and group will be responsible for traffic control. Different aspects may be handled by different groups. You may choose to add a new branch under the operations section to deal specifically with traffic control, as shown here. Command Structure Incident Commander Public Information Officer Safety Officer Liaison Officer Operations Section Planning Section Logistics Section Finance/Administration Section
30 This is just an example structure and may be changed to fit the circumstances of the emergency. Operations Section Diverted Livestock Group Receiving Livestock Group Cleaning and Disinfection Group Euthanasia and Disposal Group Detour Planning Group Traffic Monitoring Group Traffic Control Device Group Pavement Management Group Traffic Checkpoint Group Vehicle Inspection Group Traffic surveillance Group Operations Section Quarantine Enforcement Branch Traffic Control Branch Disease Control Branch Movement Control Group
31 Perhaps more than in many other types of emergencies, an agriculture emergency requires the coordination of many different agencies and disciplines, including animal health, public health, agriculture, law enforcement, producers, public works, media and others. Clear and concise communications along predetermined chains of command are essential. Information to the media should be managed by the joint information center. Communication Plan ⢠Between local agencies ⢠With assisting agencies ⢠Among parallel agencies at different levels of government ⢠To the media ⢠To the public
32 Biosecurity is no joke, responders must know what type of personal protective equipment is required. Biosecurity
33 While the guide is not prescriptive in nature, it should be beneficial in planning for and reacting to an agricultural emergency. Conclusion ⢠Importance of planning ahead â Identify manpower needs â Identify equipment needs â Identify alternative transportation routes ⢠Need for flexibility â Requirements will change depending on the pathogen â Quarantine and investigation must effectively coexist
34 Workshops were held to evaluate the manual; this agenda can also be used to introduce the manual to rural agencies. Agenda ⢠Introduction of presenters and participants ⢠Introduction to agricultural emergencies ⢠Break ⢠Introduce planning exercise ⢠Lunch ⢠Break into teams to complete planning exercise ⢠Break ⢠Large group discussion of the plans developed in the exercise ⢠Conclusions, feedback, etc.