The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) opens its "Connecting Communities: Emergency Preparedness and Security Forum" in Denver October 30 to 31. The forums were created to help communities become better prepared to respond to emergency situations. The goal of the forums is to demonstrate the important role that transit plays in crisis situations and the importance of delivering a coordinated response across all public safety agencies. Participating transit agencies will work with regional emergency responders to determine the effectiveness of interagency response plans for the Denver region. "Public transportation is an important component of our nation's emergency response and evacuation plans in the event of natural disasters or terrorist incidents," said FTA Administrator Jennifer L. Dorn. The forums, which will continue in other U.S. cities through early 2003, have been created in cooperation with FTA's partners, the American Public Transportation Association and the Federal Railroad Administration. Participants must pre-register online for the forums, which feature hands-on exercises, including discussions, various emergency scenarios and group break-out sessions. Future scheduled forums will be held November 4 to 5 in Houston, Texas; November 6 to 7 in Dallas, Texas; and December 5 to 6 in Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit www.transit-safety.volpe.dot.gov