Newly Introduced Bipartisan Bill Aims To Improve Evacuation Route Planning
A newly introduced bipartisan bill presented by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Alex Padilla (D-California), and Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) aims to develop guidelines for state and local governments to improve emergency evacuation preparedness.
In recent years, wildfires, floods and other natural disasters have become increasingly intense and destructive across the country.
In Hawaii, the Lahaina wildfires in 2023 devastated communities. A factor to consider here is the limited evacuation routes that became heavily clogged which prevented victims from escaping and seeking shelter more quickly.
The Emergency Vehicle and Community Planning Act would direct the Department of Transportation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop and publicly disseminate information and guidance about the best practices for governments and the public to utilize when conducting transportation and infrastructure planning.
“In an emergency, evacuation routes are absolutely critical to getting people to safety,” said Schatz. “Our bill will give communities the support they need to develop roadways that will help save lives.”
“As natural disasters and extreme weather events—such as wildfires—become increasingly common in the U.S., it is crucial that our communities have effective, reliable emergency evacuation routes,”said Hirono.“The Emergency Vehicle and Community Planning Act will help Hawai‘i, and states across the country, strengthen emergency preparedness efforts and develop infrastructure that prioritizes the safety of our communities.”
According to Joe McKinney of the National Association of Development Organizations, the guidelines will provide communities with effective implementation of emergency response protocols that will “not only help strengthen regional transportation planning efforts, but would also help bolster public safety in the event of a disaster.”
He added: “This exciting legislation also has great potential to improve long-term community economic recovery.”
