Abt Associates Reviews Pandemic Preparedness Plan for Washington Metro Area Transit Authority
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
In 2006, Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) instituted its Infectious Disease Preparedness Plan Task Force. The organization's efforts began with a response to the avian flu outbreak, and continue today with its Metro Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan. In its short, four-year history, WMATA's Disease Preparedness Plan Task Force has served as a national example of practical integration of safety and health planning, emergency management, crisis communications and good management practices.
WMATA has been aggressive in addressing the infectious diseases that could impact the health and well being of employees and riders of its regional transport system. To improve WMATA's preparedness to respond to future pandemics, the Authority contracted with Abt Associates to:
Identify and capture the lessons learned from WMATA's response to the H1N1 outbreak of 2009 in an After Action Report.
Update WMATA's Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan, with a focus on two annexes, 1) a communications and outreach plan and 2) a protective equipment stockpiling and distribution plan.
A Practical and Actionable Plan
Abt Associates' successful work on the After Action Report, Preparedness Plan, Communications Annex and Stockpiling Annex will improve WMATA's strategic preparedness for future response to pandemics. Information collected in the After Action Report was arrayed against the National Standard for Emergency Management and Business Continuity (NFPA 1600). Further, Abt Associates met with representatives from the Safety Department and the Office of Emergency Management to ensure that the updated pandemic plan coordinated with WMATA's Emergency Operations Plan. From these exercises, the project leaders developed a set of recommendations that were practicable and actionable by WMATA.
Communications and Outreach Campaign
WMATA required a Communications and Outreach Campaign Annex to the Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan in order to ensure that the Authority could effectively communicate timely and accurate information to its employees and riders. Abt Associates teamed with partner and communications leader, CirclePoint, to define a methodology for informing and encouraging WMATA employees and passengers to adopt the appropriate behavioral changes to mitigate the spread of disease, and to improve their overall understanding of a pandemic. The team also developed a creative strategy for delivering these critical messages to a broad audience.
Stockpiling and Distribution of Protective Equipment
To improve how WMATA would identify, procure, and appropriately stockpile personal protective equipment (PPE) in the event of a pandemic, Abt Associates produced a Stockpiling and Distribution Annex to the Preparedness Plan. The accomplished project leaders are familiar with the required equipment, vaccines, proper storage, handling, and distribution programs that would allow WMATA to efficiently provide PPE to its employees. Likewise, Abt Associates addressed contingencies for how to proceed with limited or no supplies.
Abt Associates Leads with Experience
The WMATA project was successfully completed by the expert team of Abt Associates, Readiness Consulting Services, and CirclePoint. Each brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the task.
"It is essential to the overall well-being of the Metro Washington, DC community that a viable WMATA system functions smoothly, even during a pandemic event"
— Kim Fletcher
Led by Kim Fletcher and managed by Ron Davison of Abt Associates' Global Emergency Management Practice, these leaders contribute more than two decades of experience providing health planning, safety, and emergency management support for clients at the national, state, and local levels. Many of their efforts have specifically focused on planning, managing, and promoting efforts to stop or control the spread of pandemic flu. The team has also specialized in developing strategic responses to the associated conditions in a mass transportation environment.
"It is essential to the overall well-being of the Metro Washington, DC community that a viable WMATA system functions smoothly, even during a pandemic event," says Kim Fletcher. "Through planning, and effective outreach and communications, the Authority will be in a better position to manage mass transit for the diverse population and transportation needs of the region."
