Transportation is both a vulnerable lifeline in our communities
on a daily basis, but during disasters it is an essential component
for helping the community get back on its feet and restoring its
economy. To provide a centralized, effective program, the Office Of Intelligence, Security, And Emergency Response (OET), in the Office of the Secretary (OST) of the Department of Transportation
(DOT), performs coordinated crisis management functions for multimodal
transportation emergencies, including:
- natural disasters
- technological incidents / accidents
- labor strikes
- security situations, such as domestic criminal acts or international
terrorist acts
- national defense mobilization.
For the Department to be ready at any time, the OET core staff
must always be ready and prepared. Activities include:
- Managing the DOT Crisis Management Center (CMC) to collect,
analyze, and disseminate critical transportation infrastructure
information to senior DOT officials, and to make sure communications
and other equipment are ready at any time.
- Managing the Alternate Relocation Site for core DOT functions
so the Department can continue to work even if the headquarters
is unusable.
- Developing and continually revising and testing plans and
procedures to meet new threats and take advantage of new technology
and other advances.
- Train DOT staff for disaster functions that are essential
but not performed frequently.
- Exercise every component of the team and every aspect of the
plan so surprises will be minimal when critical decisions must
be made and implemented.
- Work with other Federal and state agencies to ensure relationships
are in place before the stress of disaster response begins.
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