1.4 Agencies Involved in Evacuation Implementation
For this report, several agency types were identified for easier categorization of the numerous agencies that may take part in an evacuation event. According to locale, agencies may take on similar titles, but have entirely different functions. The purpose of categorizing the agencies was to help in distinguishing the various levels of jurisdiction that agencies may take on in an “ideal” setting. In actuality, there may be agencies that operate in dual roles, such as local and county roles. These are likely to be more common in rural settings. For the purpose of this report, a more hierarchical structure is assumed.
Local
The local agency would be the jurisdiction or municipality in which the incident has occurred. The local agency would determine the severity of the incident and identify the need for evacuation.
Examples of local agencies include:- City Emergency Management Department
- City Street Transportation Department
- City Police Department
- City Public Transit Department.
County and State
Typically, evacuation orders will come from the county or state level. In many instances, the county emergency operations center will assume a lead partner role with local agencies, and state agencies would play more of a support role, involving additional resources and personnel as needed, to assist local and county agencies in conducting an emergency evacuation.
Examples of county agencies include:- County Office of Emergency Management
- County Office of Homeland Security
- County Department of Transportation
- Sheriff’s Office (County Law Enforcement/Public Safety).
- State Division of Emergency Management
- State Office of Homeland Security
- State Department of Transportation.
Federal
Federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice, tend to play a coordinating or investigative role after the incident has taken place. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may also conduct an evacuation operations assessment after local and state agencies have implemented the evacuation.
Examples of federal agencies include:- FEMA
- FHWA.
Other
All other non-governmental agencies are categorized as other agencies. These would include the media and private sector agencies that also play an important role in the evacuation such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army. They serve and assist the evacuees throughout the process, often having the most direct contact with the affected population.
June 26, 2006
Publication #FHWA-HOP-08-020
