(DENVER, CO) December 5, 2006 – The National Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP) today released a new training product entitled The RTAP Threat & Vulnerability Toolbox to help to rural transit providers set priorities for safety, security and emergency preparedness.

The Toolbox is a training package developed by Communiqué USA and NCI Communications, Inc. It includes a student text and a self-directed multimedia DVD featuring traditional training information augmented by interactive exercises, tests, planning tools and video vignettes highlighting industry best practices.

The training package leads users through a planning process in which they:

• Identify which assets are most essential to their mission
• Assess/prioritize safety hazards and security threats to those critical assets
• Develop plans to reduce the likelihood and/or impact of those risks, and
• Establish protocols for managing critical incidents if and when incidents do occur

 

According to RTAP, the result will be improved awareness for safety hazards and security threats, and how to manage them for maximum effect at minimum expense regardless of agency size. The DVD also includes:

• A 10-minute video titled, “On The Move” to introduce first responders, emergency managers, transit board members and staff to the concepts of transit emergency preparedness
• A step-by-step guide for identifying critical assets, assessing hazards and threats, and reducing vulnerability to those hazards/threats that are most likely to occur and/or most catastrophic for your agency
• Standard protocols for what to do in case of an accident, incident, natural disaster, hazmat spill, commandeered vehicle, and other likely transit disasters
• A template Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness Plan (SSEPP)

 

To order a free copy of the RTAP Threat & Vulnerability Toolbox call (202) 408-9541. For more information go to www.nationalrtap.org.