2007 Transportation Officials Directory Available

A guide will provide a one-stop resource to reach key state or federal transportation agency officials.

The Washington, D.C.-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association has published its 2007 Transportation Officials & Engineers Directory.

It provides the address, phone and fax information for more than 6,000 county, state and federal employees. E-mail and Internet contact information is also provided, if available.

Offered as a pocket-sized publication or a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, the TO&E Directory includes key listings for the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration as well as information on national transportation design and construction-related organizations and key transportation leaders in the U.S. Congress.

The pocket directory can be ordered for $195 (ARTBA members) or $249 (non-members). The Excel spreadsheet is available for $395 (ARTBA members) or $475 (non-members).

Send a check or money order, plus an additional $11 for shipping and handling to: ARTBA, The ARTBA Building, 1219 28th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, or call Christy Woodall at 1-888-821-9653. Directories are available for immediate shipment.

The publication can also be purchased online by clicking on the “newest products” section of www.artbastore.org.

12 Essential Tips Released For Emergency Planning

New York-based BOMA International has released its top 12 ways for property professionals to be prepared for an emergency situation.

• Review the building’s emergency preparedness plan. Have you put together a preparedness team to deal with emergency issues when they arise?
• Have a preparedness team take part in “what if” exercises for which team members propose responses to a number of emergency scenarios.
• Develop a multi-layered crisis communication plan that creates a fast and effective line of communication with tenants, local authorities and agencies and the media.
• Determine how your company’s leave and salary policies will apply in emergency situations, such as a pandemic flu outbreak, when a significant portion of your workforce may not be able to come to work.
• Identify essential personnel and consider cross training personnel to provide those critical services.
• Identify building elements that may warrant special attention in the event of a natural disaster, such as roofing materials, flashing and coping materials, roof vents and air intakes, awnings, gutters and downspouts, roof-mounted, post-mounted or suspended signage, free-standing equipment and siding materials.
• Review local evacuation procedures and identify the agency that will issue evacuation orders.
• Determine how the evacuation order will be communicated and where evacuation routes and shelters are located.
• Make certain all of your tenants are aware of the building evacuation procedures, and encourage tenants to participate in evacuation drills.
• Appoint a re-entry team to access building damage after the disaster.
• Include a list of primary, secondary and out of region suppliers to ensure an organization's ability to rebound from a catastrophe is not hindered by a lack of resources.
• Consider identifying off-site work facilities or telecommuting capabilities to ensure business continuity in the event of a disaster.

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, National Preparedness Month is a nationwide initiative to encourage Americans to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.