U.S. EPA HURRICANE RESPONSE 2017 Office of Emergency Management www.epa.gov/hurricane-response Office of Emergency Management Actions • EPA's Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works with other federal agencies, state and local governments to respond quickly to environmental concerns and natural disasters, including hurricanes. • EPA is staffed with about 240 emergency responders who are ready to deploy anywhere in the country. • In the event of a major hurricane, OEM activates the National Incident Management Assistance Team consisting of experienced response personnel from all 10 EPA Regions to assist with response activities. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) • OEM coordinates emergency response actions through its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which serves as a communications hub for increased data management and coordination capabilities with our federal and regional partners, such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, FEMA and our EPA Regional response teams. • EPA has several teams that can offer specialized support and 24/7 assistance for hazardous substance releases, providing both technical expertise and special equipment if needed. Response Technology • EPA has cutting-edge response technology to respond to hurricanes, including the Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology (ASPECT) aircraft, Portable High-throughput Integrated Laboratory Identification System (PHILIS), and Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) vehicles. • ASPECT is the nation's only airborne near real-time chemical and radiological detection, infrared and photographic imagery emergency response platform. • PHILIS is a mobile laboratory for the on-site analysis of air, soil and water samples. • The Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) is a self-contained mobile laboratory capable of real-time ambient air monitoring, sampling and analysis of outdoor air emissions. Spill Release Response/Ensuring Refinery Safety EPA will respond, as necessary, to hazardous substance releases and oil discharge reports within our jurisdiction and deploy federal on-scene coordinators as necessary to direct cleanup efforts. Assessing Chemical Risks from Facilities The Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule requires facilities that use extremely hazardous substances to develop a plan that assesses the potential effects of a release, accident prevention and emergency response, and must be revised every five years. Assessing Superfund Sites EPA assists and coordinates with Regions on rapid status assessments of Superfund National Priorities List sites that may be within the path of the storm. Following these initial assessments, EPA will use a multi-phased approach to determine the appropriate actions and next steps that need to be taken at these sites. ------- |