In early 2017, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works identified qualified engineers to interview with Los Angeles County Fire Department to become Structures Specialists on the FEMA USA-Task Force 2 Urban Search and Rescue Team. Four registered civil engineers were chosen. Within six months, the USA-TF 2 USAR team was deployed to respond to the Mexico City Earthquake. The USAR Team was deployed again in January 2018 to respond to the horrific mudflows in Santa Barbara County. The relationship between the two County Departments has strengthened their partnership—not only during deployment of the USAR team, but also in understanding the resources and expertise of each discipline. This project has allowed for greater collaboration on working out details to ensure the partnership is a success. The presenters will focus on the initial tasks to make this a reality, including the fiscal impacts and lessons learned from each deployment.
Learning Objectives:
1. Promote the benefits of partnering with first responder agencies to use public works engineers to fill positions on a super elite Urban Search and Rescue Team.
2. Collaborate with first responder agencies to create teams that train together and respond to catastrophic disasters within the United States and internationally.
3. Demonstrate the value of partnering with first responder agencies to identify the expertise that public works brings to incident response.
Contributor/Source
Leilani Eazell
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Introductory
Focuses on a general or broad overview of the topic, awareness of basic factual recall. Limited experience of the subject matter is necessary to understand content areas.
Applied
Focuses on practical implementation of technical steps or strategies, some prior knowledge and experience of the topic is necessary.
Advanced
Mastery of basic concepts associated with an area has been obtained. Focuses on understanding nuances, advanced concepts, and intricacies with implementation within knowledge area. Strong understanding of how the concept impacts other factors or areas of operations.
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APWA Guides
APWA Guides provide guidance to public works professionals on a specific a topic.
CLL
Click, Listen & Learn (CLL) are interactive educational webinars. Each program is led by top experts in the field who share new ideas, methods, and technologies in a fast-paced two-hour time frame. These programs are available free to APWA members. CLL programs are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Primer
Primers are used to educate policymakers about public works roles and responsibilities in public rights of way, the impact of federal workforce development policies on the industry and workforce, and the importance of resilient infrastructure.
PWX
PWX session recordings cover a wide variety of topics, including integrating modes of transportation, traffic and transit, construction management, emergency management, engineering and technology, fleet and facilities, management, parks and grounds, snow and ice control, and stormwater/flood control, as well as solid waste, roads and bridges and water/wastewater. PWX sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Reporter Articles
APWA Reporter articles are written by public works practitioners on subjects such as solid waste management, water resources, municipal engineering, transportation, equipment services, buildings and grounds, snow removal, and other public works-related topics.
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The Snow Conference session recordings feature public works professionals sharing the latest best practices in managing winter/snow operations more successfully, taking advantage of emerging technologies, understanding and preparing for the challenges ahead, and providing better service to their communities. Snow sessions are eligible for continuing education units (CEUs).
Tech Boxes
A tech box is a PDF take-away that provides information in lists, steps, or defined areas specifically focused on trending technologies.
Toolbox
Toolboxes are curated guides offering valuable tips on a variety of public works-related topics.