United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Office of Solid Waste
and Emergency Response
(5101)
550-F-95-006
January1995
ERA'S ROLE IN THE FEDERAL
RESPONSE PLAN
Being Prepared for
Catastrophic Disaster
FACTSHEET
WHAT is THE FEDERAL
RESPONSE PLAN?
Disasters such as hurricanes, floods, earth-
quakes can strike a community at any time.
Most often, local emergency responders can take
effective action, sometimes with help from
state agencies. But, a catastrophic disaster-when
communities suffer injuries, deaths, and wide-
spread property damage-may overwhelm the
capabilities of state and local governments. At
such times, states may request help from the feder-
al government. The multi-agency disaster
response program that helps states during
and after a disaster is the Federal Response Plan
(FRP).
How DOES FRP WORK?
The process for activating the FRP begins when
the governor of a state or territory requests
federal assistance from the President. Under the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, the President may provide federal
resources to the affected areas by declaring an
emergency or major disaster. Once the President
has declared an emergency or major disaster, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
is responsible for activating and implementing the
FRP. A Federal Coordinating Officer, appointed
by the President, takes charge of the overall coor-
dination of the federal response. This person
works with the State Coordinating Officer,
appointed by the governor of the affected state, as
well as with representatives of federal agencies.
Together, they determine the needs of the state and
provide for the delivery of appropriate resources.
EPA, along with 25 other federal departments and
agencies, plus the American Red Cross, are ready
to provide assistance. When disaster threatens a
community, these federal partners establish com-
munications with state authorities, position emer-
gency equipment and supplies, and help track the
event. After a disaster declaration has been made,
they help identify needs, direct response activi-
ties, and mobilize federal personnel, equipment,
and other resources to supplement the state capa-
bilities.
FRP RESOURCES: EMERGENCY
SUPPORT FUNCTIONS
The Federal Response Plan groups federal
assistance into 12 functional areas called
Emergency Support Functions or ESFs, including
fire fighting, transportation, health and medical
services, public works, urban search and rescue,
and others. (See inset.) Each ESF is headed by a
primary agency, selected for its statutory authori-
ties, resources, and capabilities in the particular
functional area. Other agencies are designated as
support agencies for one or more ESFs. EPA is the
primary agency for ESF #10 Hazardous Materials
and also supports ESFs 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, and 11.
Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office
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EPA'S Role in the Federal Response Plan
January 1995
FEDERAL RESPONSE PLAN
ESFs (AND PRIMARY AGENCIES)
ESF 1-TRANSPORTATION
Department of Transportation
ESF 2-COMMUNICATIONS
National Communications System
ESF 3-PUBLIC WORKS AND ENGINEERING
Army Corps of Engineers
ESF 4-FIRE FIGHTING
Department of Agriculture - Forest Service
ESF 5-INFORMATION AND PLANNING
Federal Emergency Management Agency
ESF 6-MASS CARE
American Red Cross
ESF 7-RESOURCE SUPPORT
General Services Administration
ESF 8-HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES
Department of Health and Human Services
ESF 9-URBAN SEARCH AND RESCUE
Federal Emergency Management Agency
ESF 10-HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
Environmental Protection Agency
ESF 11-FOOD
Department of Agriculture
ESF 12-ENERGY
Department of Energy
ESF #10-HAZARDOUS
MATERIALS
ESF #10-Hazardous Materials provides for a
coordinated response to large-scale releases
of hazardous materials by incorporating the
response mechanisms of the National Oil and
Hazardous Materials Pollution Contingency Plan
(NCP). The Director of EPA's Chemical
Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office
serves as the chairman of ESF #10. He is also
EPA's representative to the interagency policy-
level coordinating body the Catastrophic Disaster
Response Group. He ensures the Agency has car-
ried out the proper planning and preparedness
activities and is ready to respond to a major dis-
aster.
EPA TAKES ACTION UNDER THE
FRP
During the Midwest Hoods of 1993, EPA
assumed significant responsibility under
ESF #10. In the nine states that were declared dis-
aster areas, ESF #10 personnel responded to inci-
dents involving hazardous materials such as
releases of chemicals, oil, gasoline, and propane.
Under ESF #10, EPA was charged with collecting
over 16,000 free-floating drums and containers in
the flooded area. In Missouri and other flood-
affected states, EPA personnel coordinated a
household hazardous waste collection program
and coordinated an extensive water sampling
program. The household hazardous waste collec-
tion program was applied again during the 1994
floods in both Georgia and Texas. Thousands of
pounds of household hazardous materials were
collected during these operations and safely dis-
posed of to prevent the waste from eventually
being deposited in local landfills.
FRP LINKS WITH THE
NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM
In the 1970s, the federal government set up a
mechanism for responding to large-scale
releases of hazardous substances or oil spills: the
National Contingency Plan (NCP). It was devel-
oped to ensure that the resources and expertise of
the federal government would be immediately
available for major incidents that require federal,
or regional, response. The NCP established the
National Response Team (NRT), composed of 15
federal agencies and departments. In addition,
the NCP also set up Regional Response Teams,
(RRTs), with representatives of the same agencies
and departments as the NRT, plus representation
by states. EPA chairs the NRT, while the U.S.
Coast Guard serves as the vice-chair. EPA and
the Coast Guard co-chair the RRTs. At the EPA
headquarters level, the ESF #10 chairman serves
as a bridge between the National Response Team
and the Federal Response Plan partners. The ESF
#10 chairman is also the chairman of the National
Response Team. At the regional level, the region-
al ESF #10 chairs function as the liaison to the
RRTs. When the FRP was developed, the NRT/
RRT structure for handling hazardous materials
releases and oil spills was already in existence.
This framework was incorporated into ESF #10 of
the Federal Response Plan for use during major
natural disasters. As a leading partner in the
Federal Response Plan, EPA efficiently and
effectively assists state and local governments
when disaster strikes.
FOR MORE INFORMATION...
CONTACT THE EMERGENCY PLANNING AND
COMMUNITY RIGHT-TO-KNOW HOTLINE
(800) 424-9346, OR (703) 412-9810
TDD (800) 535-7672
MONDAY-FRIDAY, 9 AM TO 6PM, EASTERN TIME
Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office
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