IDAHO NATIONAL
Idaho
Transportation |
ITD’s emergency planning will take another major step with development of a statewide alternate route/detour plan that will begin taking shape in the near future. A private consultant is analyzing Idaho’s transportation routes and will produce an extensive plan for implementing alternate routes in the event of a major disaster or emergency that prompts closure of the primary route. Emergency Program Manager Bryan Smith explained the $250,000 project to members of the department’s emergency program team assembling for the second annual ITD Disaster Conference in Rupert Thursday and Friday (Sept. 14, 15). The conference was held in conjunction with Idaho Prepared!, a statewide disaster and emergency training conference organized by the Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security in Burley. Representatives from most of ITD’s districts assembled for the breakout conference at the Rupert maintenance facility. Emergency program coordinator Louie Albright presented information about the Idaho Emergency Operations Plan and ITD’s role as a transportation department in meeting the responsibilities outlined in the federal Emergency Support Function 1 (transportation.) Frank Tooke, from the Federal Highway Administration in Boise, concluded the first day of ITD’s conference by talking about the shared role of FHWA and ITD and by leading participants in a simple disaster scenario. Friday’s agenda included a report on educational opportunities available through the Idaho State University Institute for Emergency Management and an assessment of Idaho’s vulnerabilities and mitigation measures by David Jackson of the Bureau of Homeland Security. Published 9-15-06 |