Lifeline Systems and Facilities

Lifeline systems and facilities form a critical part of a community’s infrastructure. For that reason, evaluators who have professional training or experience in the design and operation of the systems perform only detailed evaluations on these systems.

Jurisdictions should include someone from Public Works, Police, or Fire on the SAP teams to evaluate lifeline systems as needed. When a team identifies damage to a lifeline system, it should immediately contact the proper authorities. Having a jurisdiction representative with the team ensures the correct information gets to the appropriate department.

Recall that the SAP Goal is: To get as many people as possible back into their buildings as quickly and safely as possible. Translated for lifeline systems, that goal becomes:

Goal of Evaluating Lifeline Systems

To rapidly clear for use vital services that support the public and the emergency response to the event.

Lifeline systems and facilities evaluated as a part of the Safety Assessment Program include:

Geotechnical Evaluation (applicable to all)

Transportation Systems
- Airports
- Bridges
- Roads
Water/Wastewater Systems
- Pipelines
- Pump Stations
- Reservoirs
- Wastewater Treatment Plants
- Water Treatment Plants