Alan L. Phillips Emergency Response CoordinatorOhio Department of Transportation

Ohio EMA Spring Directors Seminar

Agenda

• ODOT Overview, capabilities and mission• ODOT Resources Available for emergency

situations• Requesting support and restrictions• ODOT Highway Incident Management - Ohio

Quick Clear• Available informational resources to support

local response – Buckeye Traffic – DOT web

The Ohio Department of Transportation

•Nearly 6000 employees assigned to all 88 Counties

•12 District Headquarters with a County Garages and Outposts

•Central Office with 12 Divisions

• State Emergency Operations Center, Aviation

ODOT’s Mission

• Moving Ohio into a Prosperous New World!

• Traditional, roadways, bridges, maintenance

• Now our focus includes a Multimodal approach - rail, bicycle, pedestrian, waterway and air projects. All with focus on improving Ohio’s Economy

• Support the State Emergency Operations Plan as lead for ESF#1 – Transportation Activities

Resources Available• ODOT provides aviation assets• Heavy equipment• Technical support

ODOT’s Role in Emergency Response

• Day to day coverage of Highway Incidents• Routine coverage of wind/flood/snow ice on

right of way.• Major events – Tornado’s, major storms

where additional support to communities is needed.

ODOT’s Role in Emergency Response

• Major Events – Actions for locals to obtain ODOT support.

• First and foremost any off system support needs to begin with a Governors Declaration request through Ohio EMA. ORC prohibits ODOT from off highway support.

• When requesting support you must go through EMA. • Describe the problem not what type of equipment you

want. • Once approved, an ODOT supervisor will be assigned as

a liaison and work directly with requestor until complete.

Other Options!• ODOT is primarily used for Debris missions for

items on or placed along roadways. ODOT can not be utilized for any private property missions.

• Providing timely and accurate information to the public is a key to avoiding debris problems. Insure they know what is approved and where to take it. EPA is key for this information. (ESF #3 – Tab A)

• Understand debris in streams, private property or off highway right of ways is responsibility of local jurisdictions and property owners.

• Consider local or volunteer resources to pre-clean problem areas on streams, power lines etc.

• Discuss – What are your issues?

Highway Emergency Incident Management- Ohio Quick Clear

• Primary goal of Ohio Quick Clear is to protect the lives of our first responders while reducing the duration and impact of roadway closures on the public.

Key Concepts of Quick Clear

• Developed in 2002 by Public Safety, ODOT, First Responders, Towing and Recovery, EPA and Trucking Association.

• Designed to reduce injury and death caused by secondary crashes by reducing time responders and public are exposed to highway incidents. Plus an estimated 80 Billion in economic benefit!

• Handouts - Discuss

What ODOT Brings to the Table!

Authority to Clear Highway Incidents

• 4513.66 Removal of highway obstruction• Liability protection for responders moving crashed

vehicles and or loads from roadway.• Must have approval of Law Enforcement to move• Does not protect for reckless actions, spilling of

hazardous materials or damages to roadway.

Some issues continue!

Not Just Responders!

ICS and Scene Re-Assessment

Other ODOT Resources

• www.buckeyetraffic.org

ODOT Web• www.dot.state.oh.us

Questions – Ideas?

Contact information : Alan.Phillips@dot.state.oh.usPhone: 614-799-358824/7 and Emergencies – 614-799-9237