Incident Command for Transit Agencies

The objective of this paper is to share with transit agencies information about the role they play in the incident command system (ICS) in response to major emergencies, incidents, and disasters. It provides sufficient information to transit agencies so that they can update their emergency procedures to more closely approximate ICS structure and functional needs. In July 1998, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Office of Safety and Security, issued guidance for transit agencies for managing critical incidents. The guidance tied levels of emergency to the activation of particular emergency management functions, including the ICS, when emergencies call for external assistance from public safety organizations such as fire and police. Since issuing its 1998 guidance, the FTA has expanded the resources available to transit emergency response planning and coordination committees with two Top 20 Security Program Briefing Papers “Understanding the Incident Command System (ICS)” and “Public Transportation Incident Management Organizations (IMOs).” However, in none of its guidance does FTA explain in detail the need for transit agencies to relinquish control (command) of a transit incident to a public safety organization such as a fire department, nor does it describe appropriate processes that transit responders may follow to assure the smooth transition from initial command role to subordinate and liaison roles within the ICS. For major emergencies, incidents, and disasters that require multi-agency or multi-jurisdictional response, this paper discusses a structured process for the transfer of incident command from transit agency personnel to police, fire, or other emergency management agencies. It further discusses the roles of transit agency personnel in providing liaison to the incident command and general staff functions, as needed. It addresses both transit emergencies that affect transit customers, employees, facilities and equipment, and services; and non-transit incidents where the role of the transit agency may be to transport people and goods to safe locations.