EPAEPA Bio Response Efforts Bio Response Efforts

NRT Co-Chairs MtgNRT Co-Chairs MtgMarch 2005March 2005

Veronique Hauschild, Veronique Hauschild, EPA Office of Emergency Management, OSWEREPA Office of Emergency Management, OSWER

EPA Roles - Key MandatesEPA Roles - Key Mandates

• National Contingency Plan

• National Response Plan

• HSPD 10 – “develop specific standards, protocols, and capabilities to address the risks of contamination following a biological weapons attack and developing strategies, guidelines, and plans for decontamination of persons, equipment and facilities.”

““Decon’ is key, but several related Decon’ is key, but several related activities are necessary for HSPD-10activities are necessary for HSPD-10• hazard assessment

• sampling & analysis to determine extent of contamination

• treatment or removal of contaminant (‘decon’)

• disposal of debris & waste product

• confirmatory sampling to ensure the facility area, or media is safe to reenter/reuse

Resources needed to ensure that EPA can Resources needed to ensure that EPA can adequately respond to WMD eventadequately respond to WMD event – Policy – Equipment – Training

– (accessible) INFORMATION:• Process, coordination guidance• Procedural guidance & playbooks• Fact sheets & summary reference guides• Scientific technical references to support decision

making/policy

Multiple audiences/customersMultiple audiences/customers

– Field responders (i.e., EPA On Scene Coordinators, other agency/local responders)

– Technical Policy /decision-makers (i.e. National Decon team, EPA ERT, headquarter staffers, other agency staffers)

– Political policy/decision-makers/auditors (i.e., White house, DHS, GAO)

Existing references can address some of Existing references can address some of the ‘information needs’ :the ‘information needs’ :

– (NRT) Anthrax TAD – MSDSs and agent fact sheets (EPA, CDC/NIOSH,

DoD)– EPA Biological Sampling Guide– Anthrax and Ricin AARs – Journal articles…– DOD doctrine

From these efforts some specific data gaps are suggested….

• also MANY other “HS” projects and R&D studies

• almost impossible to truly know what is most current or correct information

• some duplication has/is occurring

• To establish what the ‘state of the knowledge’ is requires a focused effort to organize information

However:

EPA Proposal for a ‘National Portfolio’EPA Proposal for a ‘National Portfolio’

• Establish as central source (‘virtual library’) for all existing and future information

• Organize information around topics and audience types• Each document/database should stand-alone, but also

tie into or reference other available documents

• Obtain multi agency buy-in to contribute pertinent data/documents

• Use as mechanism to identify information/data gaps

Proposed sections for “Portfolio”Proposed sections for “Portfolio” Glossary Requirements, Plans, Processes Organization Roles, Assets, Coordination Groups National SME/Tech Experts Agent-Specific Information and Risk Assessment Response Personnel Health and Safety Public Health/Medical Measures Site Hazard Assessment and Controls Sampling and Detection Analyses Decontamination Technologies Waste Management and Disposal Risk Communication

Example GENERAL INFO for Portfolio

GLOSSARY

Organizations, Agency Assets, Coordination

Groups

Requirements, Plans and Processes

Nationally Recognized SMEs

- Overview of post-incident activities/processes- Statutes and Requirements (Ex: NRP -exec Sum; full)

- Summary of Agency Functions/responsibilities- ICS for response operations and decision

- Interagency (technical) Groups to support ICS (TWG, ECC)

Database (?)

Database (?)

DATABASE

Agent studies

General considerations

anthrax

plagueetc

BIOLOGICAL PATHOGENS

Site characterization

Site clearance

Dispersion modeling

SSHPlans

Medical SurveillanceSite safety and health/worker

protection

Bio detection and sampling

Analytical procedures and laboratories

methods

Technical refs (eg ‘TAD’)

MSDS/fact sheet(s)

laboratories

Site Hazard assessment and controls

Equ

ipm

ent

DA

TA

BA

SE

Decon technologies

DATABASE

Legal requirements (eg crisis exemption)Regs/requirementsWaste management

(transport, disposal) Facilities - DATABASE

Hazard id

DATABASE

PPE

Site/facility containment

Site/facility containmentExternal monitoring (e.g. TAGA)

Efficacy/verification (test strips)

Clean up goals, standards

Air, water, soil

SME’s

Other short term FY 05-6 goals:Other short term FY 05-6 goals:• Complete ongoing projects, incorporate into Portfolio:

– Agent Quick Reference Guides (QRGs) *– Anthrax TAD update– Clean-Up Decision-Making for WMD Events– Ricin Response Reference Document– Biological Sampling Guide– EPA equipment tracking database – (Environmental) Laboratory capabilities compendium *– Waste management calculation tool and facility database– Water sampling and resource tools– Rapid risk assessment tool and tox database

► EPA lead ► NRT effort ► DHHS lead ► multi-agency

• BUILD NATIONAL DECON TEAM !

National Decontamination TeamNational Decontamination Team

Mission StatementMission Statement

The National Decontamination Team is the federal, technical resource for decontamination science to provide support for actions that contribute to the protection of human health, the environment, and national security.

NDT will coordinate, communicate, and deliver scientific and engineering expertise, both domestically and internationally, to support hazardous materials response organizations.

Who Are We?Who Are We?Structural Engineers and Industrial Hygienists to assess safety of impacted structures

Biochemist and analytical chemists to advise on contaminant behavior and by-products

Materials and HVAC Engineers to develop decon strategies for buildings

Deconologist for specialized waste treatment, transportation, and disposal options, including establishing decon procedures for unusual cases

How will the NDT “fit” in the How will the NDT “fit” in the response?response?

24- hour capability to respond24- hour capability to respond

Will assist the EPA On-Scene CoordinatorWill assist the EPA On-Scene Coordinator

Will operate under the National Incident Will operate under the National Incident Management System within ICSManagement System within ICS

Will be available to participate in drills and Will be available to participate in drills and exercises exercises

NATIONAL DECON TEAM 513-487-2420