EPA's Radiological Emergency Response Program 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org
Introduction Overview EPA Preparedness Activities EPA Response Roles EPA Response Assets 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 1
Overview EPA s mission: to protect human health and to safeguard the environment EPA has longstanding capabilities in its core programs that are directly related to homeland security EPA has also been called upon to respond to domestic incidents and enhance our capabilities and role in several areas Emergency response Water quality protection Pesticides for crop, livestock, and health protection Hazardous materials cleanup Radiation monitoring Research & development 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 2
EPA s Radiological Emergency Preparedness and Response Authorities EPA s radiological emergency response program is primarily shaped by: Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA, or Superfund) Authorized National Oil & Hazardous Substance Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) Oil, Hazardous Substances, and Pollutants or Contaminants, includes radiological materials National Response Plan ESF #10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 3
Building Capacity NIMS/ICS Focus Budget Initiatives Internal Coordination Predeployment and Exercises Preparedness Continuing External Coordination Role DHS/FEMA Federal Radiological Preparedness Coordinating Committee(FRPCC) Radiological Emergency Preparedness (REP) Nuclear Incident Response Team (NIRT) DOE Assessing and Addressing Planning DND PCC Nuc/Rad Working Group 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 4
EPA Consequences Response Role Federal HazMat Lead: Provide overall response coordination (NCP/ESF#10) emergency response management/support to federal, state, tribal, and local governments Provide Specialized Radiation Expertise: Special Teams under the NCP Nuclear Incident Response Team members if requested by FEMA Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Center: Assist DOE in the emergency and intermediate phase and lead in the long-term Cleanup phase Radiation Standards: Develop Protective Action Guides (PAGs). Authority from AEA and FEMA s Radiological Emergency Planning and Preparedness Regulation Coordinating Agency under the NRP s Nuclear/Radiological Incident Annex: Unowned or unlicensed sources Foreign incidents with impacts on the U.S. 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 5
EPA Experience Large-scale Incidents Chernobyl DOE Site Fires Fukushima Small-scale Incidents Lost sources Removal Sites DOE Site Investigations Pre-deployments G8 Summit Presidential Conventions Pluto New Horizons Launch Exercises 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 6
EPA On-Scene Coordinators (OSCs) Coordinate all Federal HAZMAT response efforts and resources. Direct, coordinate, and provide technical assistance to all response efforts at an incident or site. Direct access to contractors or commercial services. Bring full authority of the NCP. Ensure access to information. Can call upon NCP s Special Teams, including EPA s assets: Environmental Response Team National Decontamination Team Radiological Emergency Response Team 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 8
EPA s Role in Threat Response and Incident Assessment Law Enforcement/Forensic Support Criminal Investigation Division Fully authorized law enforcement officers 235 special agents Memorandum of Understanding with FBI for Environmental Crimes Laboratory Support National Enforcement Investigations Center Chemical analytical capabilities Forensic and rapid public health assessments Accredited and nationally recognized in forensic environmental analysis National Counter-terrorism Evidence Response Team High Hazard Evidence Recovery for Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Incidents 235 EPA Special Agents 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 9
Environmental Response Team (ERT) Provide experienced technical and logistical assistance in responding to environmental emergencies. Emergency response, site characterization and assessment, verification, cleanup, and disposal of radiologically contaminated wastes or release events Response capabilities include: Air Monitoring Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Neutron Detection and Quantification Clean-Up Verification or Final Status Surveys (MARSSIM) Contamination Containment Disposal Option Determination Environmental Monitoring and Sampling Design and Implementation Isotopic Characterization Decontamination 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 10
National Decontamination Team (NDT) Provide unique, immediate response capabilities to safely and effectively support decontamination activities. Provide expertise in decontamination for buildings, transportation, agriculture, food, open space, etc. Technical resource for decontamination science ASPECT plane provides 24/7 emergency response capability Technical Lead for Agency Fukushima outreach 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 11
Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT) Provide guidance and on-scene assistance at Superfund and ER sites to OSCs and in the FRMAC. Field-deployable RERT Focus is on identifying and assessing potential impacts of low-level contamination. Field monitoring instruments and sample collection equipment. Mobile laboratories and capabilities. Fixed laboratory at NAREL capable of providing comprehensive environmental analytical services; R&IE lab rebuilding. 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 12
Fixed Monitors Major Components Air Sampler Radiation Instruments (Gamma Spectroscopy and Beta Detectors) Data Processing & Storing Data Telemetry 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 13
National Coverage of Future Fixed Air Monitor Locations* *specific locations may vary 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 14 16 14
Deployable Component 40 deployable air monitors improve system coverage around an incident or potential threat. Air monitors automatically transmit near real-time data. Provide more flexible monitoring capability. Specific siting plans are developed per incident. 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org 15
Questions? 15 th Annual OSC Readiness Training Program www.oscreadiness.org