Operations Division

Overview

The Operations Division has two major program areas: 

• Crisis Management Center
• National Response Programs
• Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator Program

Crisis Management Center

Summary

The Department’s Crisis Management Center (CMC) serves as the focal point for the Department’s actions during crises.  The CMC is designed to monitor the nation’s transportation systems and infrastructure 24-hours a day, 7 days a week; hosts the Secretary’s Emergency Response Team and other supports personnel who provide the Secretary and the Department’s Operating Administrations with information during crises; supports the Secretary with secure video teleconferencing and around-the-clock communications for unclassified and classified information; provides information to other Federal agencies, the White House, and DOT headquarters and field staff.  Additionally, the CMC is the central point for the Department’s interagency liaison and coordination with the Department of Homeland Security’s National Response Coordination Center for federal response efforts.

Partner Agencies

The CMC serves as the central focal point and coordination hub for the Department, working closely with the following key departments and agencies: Departments of; Homeland Security, Defense, State, Health and Human Services, Justice, Interior, Agriculture and Energy.  As a federal partner under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) the CMC works closely with the United States Coast Guard, the DHS National Infrastructure Coordinating Center, Transportation Security Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to facilitate internal and external information sharing regarding the status of the nations critical transportation infrastructure.           

Stakeholders

• DOT Leadership
• DOT Operating Administrations
• Secretary’s Emergency Response Team
• S-60
• Private transportation service providers

Major Projects

Continual process improvement in information gathering and sharing.

Program Officials

National Response Programs

Summary

The Department implements its responsibilities under the National Response Framework (NRF) through two key elements, Emergency Support Function #1 – Transportation and the Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinators.  The Department uses the National Incident Management System to establish standardized training, organization, and communications procedures for multi-jurisdictional interaction and leadership responsibilities during incidents.  The NRF also provides a comprehensive framework for private and non-profit institutions to plan and integrate their own preparedness and response activities, nationally and within their own communities.

In addition to its NRF responsibilities, the National Response Program Manager interacts with the Office of International and Aviation Affairs, FAA and DOD U.S. Transportation Command on the allocation of aircraft to and operation of the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) program.

National Response Framework and Emergency Support Function (ESF) #1

The Department of Transportation (DOT) serves as the primary and coordinating agency for ESF #1. As part of its efforts, DOT:

• Monitors and reports status of, plans for, and damage to the transportation system and infrastructure as a result of the incident;
• Identifies temporary alternative transportation solutions that can be implemented by others when systems or infrastructure are damaged, unavailable, or overwhelmed;
• Performs activities conducted under the direct authority of DOT elements as these relate to aviation, maritime, surface, railroad, and pipeline transportation;
• Coordinates the restoration and recovery of the transportation systems and infrastructure; and
• Coordinates and supports prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation activities among transportation stakeholders within the authorities and resource limitations of ESF #1 agencies. 

A 2007 agreement between the Secretaries of Transportation and Homeland Security further detailed the respective responsibilities of each Department relative to emergency transportation services and evacuation, consistent with the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act.

Partner Agencies

• U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service
• Department of Defense
• Department of State
• General Services Administration
• Department of the Interior
• Department of Justice
• Department of Commerce
• U.S. Army Corp of Engineers
• U.S. Coast Guard
• US Postal Service
• Transportation Security Administration
• Department of Homeland Security

Stakeholders

 Disaster victims, Federal, and State, local and tribal government entities

Program Officials

Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator Program

Summary

Each Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator (RETCO), assigned by the Secretary as a collateral duty, manages regional DOT emergency preparedness and response activities in his/her region on behalf of the Secretary.  This includes coordination with and providing assistance to other Federal agencies, state, local, and tribal governments in emergency preparedness and response for transportation services.  The RETCO provides specific support and leadership under National Response Framework (ESF #1). The RETCO acts as a single point of contact during major, Presidentially declared incidents to expedite and validate requests to DOT by the Federal Coordinating Officer or the Principal Federal Official at the incident site.

Partner Agencies

The RETCO acts for DOT as the lead agency for ESF #1 and is supported by the Federal Departments and agencies identified above, who are members of the national emergency response community.

Stakeholders

The RETCO works closely with Federal, State, local, and tribal entities, the private sector, and other DOT stakeholders.

Major Projects:

• On-going review and revision of concepts of operations, plans, and procedures, and conduct training and exercises.

DOT Emergency Transportation Regional Assignments

RETCO Program Points of Contact

National

Acting National Response Program Manager
Mr. Jeremy Greenberg
DOT / OST S-60
1200 NJ Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Bus: (202) 366-1863
E-mail: Jeremy.Greenberg@dot.gov
Fax: 202-366-7261
FEMA NRCC: 202-646-2441 

Deputy National Response Program Manager
Mr. Gregory Brown
DOT / OST S-60
1200 NJ Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Bus: (202) 366-1622
Other: (202) 366-1863 (24 X 7)(CMC)
E-mail: Gregory.Brown@dot.gov
Fax: 202-366-7261
FEMA NRCC: 202-646-2441

National Response Operations Planner
Mr. Jeffrey Van Ness
DOT/OST/S-60
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
Business:  (202)-366-0737
Fax:  (202) 366-4902
E-mail:  Jeffrey.vanness@dot.gov

RETCO, Region 01 and 02
Region includes: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, NY, NJ

Ms. Mary Beth Mello
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
Federal Transit Administration
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
55 Broadway, Suite 920
Cambridge, MA 02142
Bus: (617) 494-2055
E-mail: Mary.Mello@dot.gov
Fax: 617-494-2865 

RETREP, Region 01 and 02
Region includes: CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT, NY, NJ

Mr. Terry Sheehan
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Volpe National Transportation Systems Center
55 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142
Bus: (617) 494-3047
E-mail: Terry.Sheehan@Volpe.dot.gov
Sat Phone: 88(165) 142-7385
Fax: 617-494-3260

RETCO, Region 03
Region includes: PA, MD, VA, WV, DE, DC

Mr. Pearlis Johnson
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA Southern Region
1701 Columbia
Bus: (404) 305-5004
Other: (404) 305-5180 (24 x 7 Operations Center)
E-mail: Pearlis.Johnson@faa.gov
Fax: (404) 305-5010 

RETREP, Region 03
Region includes: PA, MD, VA, WV, DE, DC

Mr. Jim Ostaszewski
Alternate Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Aviation Administration
1 Aviation Plaza Jamaica, New York 11434
Bus: (718) 553-3076
E-mail: Jim.Ostaszewski@faa.gov
Fax: 718-995-5684

RETCO, Region 04
Region includes: KY, TN, MS, GA, NC, SC, AL, FL, PR

Mr. Pearlis Johnson
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA Southern Region
1701 Columbia Avenue
College Park, GA 30337
Bus: (404) 305-5004
Other: (404) 305-5180 (24 x 7 Operations Center)
E-mail: Pearlis.Johnson@faa.gov
Fax: (404) 305-5010  

RETREP, Region 04
Region includes: KY, TN, MS, GA, NC, SC, AL, FL, PR

Ms. Leah Russell
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Aviation Administration, Southern Region
1701 Columbia Avenue
College Park, GA 30337
Bus: (404) 305-5151
Other: (404) 305-5180 (24 x 7 Operations Center)
E-mail: Leah.Russell@faa.gov
Fax: (404) 305-5154

RETCO, Region 05
Region 5 includes: MN, MI, IN, IL, WI, OH, IA, MO

Mr. David Gibbs 
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
Federal Highway Administration
Bus: (404) 562-3574
E-mail: david.gibbs@dot.gov
Fax: (404) 562-3701  

RETREP, Region 05
Region includes: MN, MI, IN, IL, WI, OH, IA, MO 

Mr. Jeffrey McSpaden
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Highway Administration Midwestern Resource Center
4749 Lincoln Mall Drive, Suite 600
Matteson, IL 60443
Office: 708-283-3516
E-mail: Jeffry.McSpaden@dot.gov
24 Hour #s: (847) 294-7410 (FAA Great Lakes Region Ops Center)
(816) 283-7600 (FAA Cen Reg Ops Center)
Fax: 708-283-3501

RETCO, Region 06
Region includes: NM, OK, LA, TX, AR

Mr. Michael O'Harra
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA Southwest Region
2601 Meacham BLVD
Fort Worth, TX 76193
Bus: (817) 222-5002
Other: 817-222-5006 (24x7 Operations Center)
E-mail: Michael.O'Harra@faa.gov

RETREP, Region 06
Region includes: NM, OK, LA, TX, AR

Mr. Gary Barber
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Aviation Administration
FAA Southwestern Region 
2601 Mecham BLVD
Fort Worth, TX 76193
Bus: (817) 222-5401
Other: 817-222-5006 (24 x7 Operations Center)
E-mail: Gary.Barber@faa.gov
Sat Phone: 88(165) 142-7372
Fax: (817) 222-5943

RETCO, Region 08
Region includes: MT, WY, UT, CO, ND, SD, NE, KS

Mr. Ricardo Suarez
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
Federal Highway Administration
12300 West Dakota Avenue
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
Bus: (720) 963-3448
E-mail: ricardo.suarez@dot.gov
Fax: (720) 963-3453  

RETREP, Region 08
Region includes: MT, WY, UT, CO, ND, SD, NE, KS

Mr. Ron E. Williams
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Highway Administration
Central Federal Lands Highway Division
12300 West Dakota Avenue
Lakewood, CO 80228
Bus: (720) 963-3450
E-mail: Ron.Williams@dot.gov
Sat Phone: 88(165) 142-7367
Fax: (720) 963-3453
 

RETCO, Regions 09, 10 and Alaska
Region includes: CA, NV, AZ

Mr. David Suomi
Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinator
Federal Aviation Administration, Northwest Mountain Region 1601 Lind Avenue, SW Renton, WA 98057-4056
Bus: (425) 227-2002
E-mail: david.suomi@faa.dot.gov
Fax: (425) 227-1005

RETREP, Region 09 North
Region includes: CA, AZ, NV, HI  Guam and Pacific Territories 

Mr. Bob Brown
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Highway Administration
U.S. Department of Transportation
201 Mission Street, Suite 1800
San Francisco, CA 94105
Bus: (415) 744-2646
E-mail: Robert.J.Brown@dot.gov
Sat Phone: 88(165) 142-7368
Fax: (415) 744-2665

RETREP, Region 09 South
Region includes: CA, AZ, NV, HI  Guam and Pacific Territories 

Ms. Judy Babbitt
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, 3401 Centrelake Drive, Suite 550A, Ontario, CA 91761
Bus: (909) 937-2949, ext. 212
E-mail: judy.babbitt@dot.gov

RETREP, Region 10
Region includes: ID OR WA

Mr. Joseph Coonce
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
FAA, Northwest Mountain Region
1601 Lind Avenue, SW
Renton, WA 98057-4056
Bus: (425) 227-2054
Other: 425-227-2000 (24 x 7 operations center)
E-mail:   joseph.coonce@faa.gov
Sat Phone: 88(165) 142-7378
Fax: (206) 227-1042

RETREP, Region AK
Region includes: Alaska

Ms. Cindy Hansen-Sacks
Regional Emergency Transportation Representative
Federal Aviation Administration, Alaskan Region
222 W. 7th Avenue #14 Anchorage, AK 99513
Bus: (907) 271-5230
Other: 907-271-5936 (24 x 7 Ops Center)
E-mail: Cindy.Sacks@faa.gov
Sat Phone: 88(165) 142-7383
Fax: 907-271-5961