OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT National JHomeland Security Research Center ADVANCING OUR NATION'S SECURITY THROUGH SCIENCE Response Capability Enhancement Laboratory Support The Response Capability Enhancement program brings together a diverse group of engineers, scientists, and managers to provide technical assistance in preparing for nationally significant events. Stakeholders Laboratory Support Activities RCE furnishes technical assistance to federal, state, and local environmental laboratories. RCE is developing the technical foundation for a national / Environmental Laboratory Response Network, the / eLRN. Laboratories in this network will be able I VaiSf ¦ to deal with toxic industrial chemicals, biotoxins, I chemical and biological warfare agents, and radionuclides. % Methods for analyzing and evaluating samples are being developed, compiled, standardized and validated. Consistently applying these methods will ensure that contaminated samples are analyzed quickly and accurately. RCE will also assist the laboratories with developing safety and operational guidelines, specifically for high-risk threat agents, such as chemical warfare agents. Mission The Response Capability Enhancement (RCE) program is one of five research areas that make up EPA's National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC). NHSRC is helping to protect human health and the environment from acts of terrorism. RCE contributes to providing this protection in two main ways: • Laboratory support — helping to ensure that federal, state, and local environmental laboratories can analyze contaminated samples quickly and accurately • Emergency response support — assisting with tf^rhniral in-fnrmatinn anrl tnnk tn ht=>ln nlan fnr RCE's support is available nationwide to these interested parties: • EPA regions and program offices • Federal, state and local laboratories • Commercial laboratories • Emergency responders • Other federal agencies involved with emergency response RCE's Products RCE supports the nation's laboratories by Standardizing laboratory methods and processes Developing sampling and handling procedures for analyzing contaminants from a suspected attack Establishing national reference laboratories ------- |