Combining the Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) with Emergency Operations

“Emergency Management on Steroids”

Terry HensleyOctober 2012

WHY?

THE REASON LIES WITHIN THE ANSWER TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT “ASSET” IN THE EOC?

INFORMATION

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF THE EOC?

COMMUNICATION

Tampa Bay SunGuide CenterHome to the

Regional Traffic Management Center – D7 Emergency Operations – Regional Communications Center (State Law Enforcement)

D7 EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTEROperations Room

• Real time accurate situational awareness• Operators often have visual observation of

the incident on CCTV• Multiple personnel on-duty 24/7 to

coordinate rapid and effective response• Facilitates quick and accurate

communication to decision makers, partners and the public

• Large database of emergency contacts

RTMC BENEFITS

“SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT”

Philosophy first implemented in

the RTMC and extended to Emergency Operations

RESPONDING PERSONNEL HAVE MORE ACCURATE AND TIMELY INFORMATION TO DISPATCH THE CORRECT ASSETS TO THE INCIDENT(S)

FULL EOC ACTIVATION IS LIMITED TO MAJOR STORMS, LARGE EVENTS (RNC, SUPER BOWL), ETC.

PARTIAL ACTIVATION OCCURS FOR STORM ALERTS, MAJOR HAZMAT, LARGER SINKHOLES AND OTHER EVENTS

HAZMAT RESPONSE

COORDINATIONand COMMUNICATION ARE THE KEY

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF TECHNOLOGY

When the EOC is combined withthe RTMC, Security becomes even more important.

• To control access• To avoid

disruptions• To ensure safety

Basic Security Measures are required in every RTMC.

PROBLEM?

We do not have a “Traffic Management Center”.

We have a “Traffic Management Center,” but there is no space for Emergency Operations.

SOLUTION

Virtual Integration

Combining RTMC Operations and Emergency Operations does not require they be within a single building or structure.

Today’s technology ensures that “virtual integration” will have almost as much value.

The key is to integrate the functions.

QUESTIONS?