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Transit’s Role inCOVID-19 VaccinationNational Peer ExchangeMarch 26, 20212:30 PM ET – 4:00 PM ET

Keith TuriAssistant Administratorfor the RecoveryDirectorateFederal EmergencyManagement Agency(FEMA)Keith Turi is the Assistant Administrator of theFEMA Recovery Directorate, a position he hasheld since April of 2018. The FEMA RecoveryDirectorate is responsible for managing thenation’s recovery from declared disasters andemergencies. In this role, Keith is responsible forthe management of billions of dollars in disaster aidannually and an organization of more than 4,000employees. Keith has worked in the emergencymanagement field at the Federal, State, and privatesector levels for more than 20 years.2

FEMA Support for Vaccinations COVID-19 is the firstincident with every state,territory, and D.C.receiving a Major DisasterDeclaration. FEMA assistance is beingprovided at 100% federalcost share untilSeptember 30, 2021. FEMA is committed toensuring everyone whowants a vaccine can getone.3

FEMA’s Lines of Effort in COVID-19 VaccineDistributionFundingProvide fundingthrough the FEMAPublic Assistanceprogram toacceleratevaccination efforts.CoordinationSupportCoordinate thefederalgovernment toidentify and fillresource gaps.Provide materialsand personnelthrough directfederal assistance tohelp with vaccinationplanning and siteoperations.4

How FEMA is Supporting COVID-19 VaccineDistribution and AdministrationFEMA is committed to ensuring that everyone who wants a vaccine can get one. State,Local, Tribal, and Territorial governments and eligible private nonprofit facilities canseek reimbursement for costs associated with vaccine distribution.5

FEMA Public Assistance for COVID-19 COVID-19 disaster-specific, interim policies issued to support the delivery ofPublic Assistance:– Purchase and Distribution of Food Commodities Interim Policy– Medical Care Cost Interim Policy Reissued on March 15, 2021 to include provisions that minimize costshare, expand assistance for vaccination support, and embeds fair practicesto demonstrate unburdened access to communities in need.– Emergency Non-Congregate Sheltering during the COVID-19 Public HealthEmergency– COVID-19 Work Eligible for Public AssistanceFEMA is currently developing an interim policy to support expanded eligibilityrelated to opening and operating costs as directed by Presidential Memorandumon January 21For COVID-19 facts sheets and guidance, act-sheets6

Dr. RobertBlaineSenior Executive andDirector – Institutefor Youth, Education,and FamiliesNational League ofCities (NLC)Dr. Robert Blaine is the senior executive anddirector for the NLC's Institute for Youth, Educationand Families (YEF Institute). Most recently, Dr.Blaine served as the City of Jackson’s ChiefAdministrative Officer, where he oversaw 2,200employees and managed an annual budget of morethan 500 million. Dr. Blaine also led thedevelopment and efficient implementation of theCity of Jackson’s Strategic Plan, promoting a “dignityeconomy” – an economic model in which municipalinvestments are made towards the inherit dignity ofevery citizen through early childhood success,financial empowerment, and equitable workforcedevelopment. Dr. Blaine is a nationally-recognizedthought leader in the areas of public service,education, and music.7

Poll Question Results 46 of the responding agencies(24%) reported facingchallenges getting vaccinated 88 responding agencies (43%)are actively involved in helpingfacilitate access to thevaccination process in theircommunities111 of the 190 (58%) of respondingagencies have workers that are eligible toreceive the COVID-19 vaccine8

Wendy WeedonDeputy CEO/GeneralManagerBrazos Transit District(BTD)Bryan, TexasWendy’s love for public transportation began herfirst day on the job in 2008. New to BTD and publictransportation she found an immediate dedicationto the industry. She has served in various aspects ofthe organization during her tenure, which makesher uniquely qualified for her role as Deputy CEO,facilitating services and leadership in the over 16counties in Central and East Texas that BTD serves.Pride in customer service, being a public servant,infrastructure, quality employees and training hasbeen at the forefront of her vision for BTD. Her goalis to encourage the participation in public transit onall levels of government and to encourage moreleaders and advocates of this industry. Wendy iscurrently the CTAA State Delegate for Texas.9

Jackie Pacha,Ph.D.Executive DirectorBrazos Valley Center forIndependent Living(BVCIL)Bryan, TexasJackie is the founding executive director for BVCIL,located near Texas A&M University in College Station,Texas. She has over 30 years of experience workingwith people who have disabilities as a Sign LanguageInterpreter,Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, andSpecial Education Teacher & Administrator. In addition,she has taught Adaptive and Assistive Technology atTexas A&M and worked with school districts inestablishing structured work experience programsfor students with disabilities. Jackie has a Ph.D. inEducational Psychology from Texas A&M and aMaster's degree in counseling and undergraduatedegree in rehabilitation services from Stephen F.Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.10

About Brazos Transit District Brazos Transit District (BTD) is ageneral public transportationprovider. Founded in 1974, BTDonly served seven counties of theBrazos Valley.We now serve 16 counties inCentral and East Texas coveringover 13,000 square miles with apopulation of over 1 millionpeople.BTD operates Fixed Routes,Demand & Response & ADAParatransit.11

Fare-free Transportation to COVID-19Vaccination SitesBTD began offering fare-free transportation for any person traveling to orfrom their COVID-19 vaccination appointment on February 1, 2021; across21 counties.BTD wanted to ensure we were doing our part in connecting individualswho needed transportation to get their COVID-19 vaccine fare-free. Byensuring equitable access to the vaccine, we are fulfilling our purpose as atransit agency and as public servants, to equally benefit everyone we serve.We encouraged our transit drivers and staff to get their vaccine.We signedthem up and helped book their appointments.Allowed them time off to gettheir vaccine during their shift as needed.We needed to ensure we did as much public outreach as possible to reachindividuals in need of transportation.12

Vaccine DistributionBTD created and distributed flyers inEnglish & Spanish to: Emergency Management hubs in ourservice areas Contact our county judges via email& phone to help spread the word Post on our social media outlets, onall service vehicles and at our transitfacilities13

Use of Federal Resources BTD has utilized CARES Act funding and Federal capital assets to providesafe and reliable transportation to any person that wants it at no charge tothem.BTD staff in all departments have been allowed to volunteer at our vaccinehub during work hours to ensure that ample staff are available to assist inthe vaccination process.Additional BTD staff have been employed temporarily to assist with theDisability booth daily at the vaccine hub.BTD has made itself readily available to the counties, emergency services,Center for Independent Living, the Universities, and more.BTD has assisted Texas A&M University Transportation Services with PPEsupplies, cleaning products, and transportation assistance.14

BTD & BVCIL PartnershipBTD partnered with BVCIL to ensure individuals withaccessibility needs also receive transportation to andfrom their COVID-19 vaccine, fare-free. BVCIL & BTD have worked together to make certainthat individuals who require assistance with a mobilitydevice have it available to them when they arrive. A BVCIL or BTD staff member is there to assist anyindividual with a disability. From helping them out oftheir vehicle to pushing them through the lines toreceive their vaccine. Stats to date: 1,443 people assisted through the AccessibilityHelp Desk which includes things like: Wheelchair assistance Sign Language Interpreting Sighted Guide Alternate format materials 15

Doran BarnesChief Executive OfficerFoothill TransitCovina, CaliforniaDoran Barnes serves as executive director ofFoothill Transit. He over oversees Foothill Transit's38-route system, manages the private contractorswho operate and maintain the agency's 360 buses,and leads the delivery of service to 12 millioncustomers annually prior to the COVID-19pandemic. Doran became Foothill Transit's executivedirector in August 2003. Doran also serves as amember of the Board of Directors of AccessServices, the regional paratransit operator for all ofLos Angeles County.16

About Foothill Transit Pomona and San GabrielValleys (eastern Los AngelesCounty)327 square mile service area, 1.5million service population12.6 million boardings peryear, 43,000/day (pre-COVID)36 local and express routes343 CNG buses, 32 electric busesInnovation is part of our coremission17

VideoView the video here: /18

Plan DevelopmentEvent Action PlanPress Release19

March 13th Vaccination Collaborative Approximately 1,300vaccinationsStaffed by Foothill, City ofCovina, and AlbertsonsPharmacy staff20

Future Plans April 24th and May 15thMay 22nd and June 12thAlbertsons and PfizerPartnerships with other Cities21

Vaccination Sites Accessible by Foothill Transit22

Luz BorreroChief AdministrativeOfficerMetropolitan AtlantaRapid Transit Agency(MARTA)Luz Borrero has served as the Chief AdministrativeOfficer of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid TransitAuthority (MARTA) since January 2019. In her role,she has oversight of the Departments of HumanResources, Information Security, and InformationTechnology and the Offices of Diversity andInclusion, Research and Analysis, and MARTA’sCustomer Service Center.Atlanta, Georgia23

MARTA Overview Established in 1971, the Metropolitan Atlanta RapidTransit Authority (MARTA) is among the largesttransit agencies in the U.S., providing 95 percent ofpublic transit trips in the metro Atlanta region with110 fixed bus routes, 38 heavy rail stations, 2.7miles of light rail, and on-demand paratransitservices.MARTA provides 116.6 million passenger tripsannually in Clayton, DeKalb, and Fulton Counties,and the City of Atlanta.MARTA is primarily funded by a one percent salestax in Fulton, DeKalb, and Clayton counties and a 11/2 percent sales tax in the City of Atlanta.MARTA’s 1.1 billion (FY20) operating and capital budgets resulted in 2.4 billion in economic output.MARTA employs over 4,400 people and has a police force with over 300 officers and protectivespecialists.To find out more, visit www.itsmarta.com24

Vaccine Distribution In early January, MARTA implemented a voluntaryemployee vaccine registration process andpartnered with the Fulton County Board of Healthto refer prioritized frontline employees to Stateapproved vaccination sites. About 95 police officersand protective specialist were vaccinated inFebruary, and on March 23, about 325 MARTAfrontline employees received their first vaccine atMercedes-Benz Stadium, a mass vaccination site.In February, MARTA began a partnership withDeKalb County and the DeKalb County Board ofHealth to deliver up to 300 vaccines a day atMARTA’s Doraville transit station. Plans are underway to add a second vaccination site at the IndianCreek Station.In March, MARTA began working with Delta toprovide a daily round-trip shuttle service for thepublic from our College Park Station to the DeltaFlight Museum, a mega vaccination center.25

Use of Federal ResourcesMARTA was able to leverage the firsttranche of CARES Act funding to: Acquire and provide PPE to all frontlineemployees.Purchase electrostatic sprayers to sanitizeand disinfect buses, trains, garages andstations.Acquire and distribute over one millionmasks to customers.Purchase and install bi-polar ionizationequipment in our facilities’ air distributionsystems to help purify the air and improveindoor air quality.26