Even before the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005, and the rail bombings in London, Madrid and Mumbai, Caltrans understood the importance of emergency preparedness for its transportation systems, and the vital, but often overlooked, role that transit plays in emergency response and recovery. 
 
Working in partnership with the Caltrans Division of Mass Transportation, Nusura hosted a series of workshops bringing together emergency managers, first responders and transportation officials to identify and resolve gaps in local emergency response capabilities. The result is the new Transit Emergency Planning Guidance for rural and for urban transit operators, helping them better understand and define their role before, during and after incidents and disasters. 
 
The training was put to the test during the 2007 and 2008 wildfires as Caltrans staff, local transportation providers and emergency responders worked together to ensure the safe evacuation of residents and their prompt reentry after the danger had passed.