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Homeland Security Efforts at EPA Region 6

Homeland Security Efforts at EPA Region 6. David Parrish, EPA-Region 6 David Roach, USGS Mary Kemp, EPA Region 6. “HOMELAND SECURITY” can make us all feel like a “Deer in the Headlights”. Meeting Goals. What are EPA expected roles during a crisis? What are our capabilities?

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Homeland Security Efforts at EPA Region 6

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  1. Homeland Security Efforts at EPA Region 6 David Parrish, EPA-Region 6 David Roach, USGS Mary Kemp, EPA Region 6

  2. “HOMELAND SECURITY” can make us all feel like a “Deer in the Headlights”

  3. Meeting Goals • What are EPA expected roles during a crisis? • What are our capabilities? • How do we coordinate? • How do we communicate?

  4. Terminology du Jour • OSC- On Scene Coordinators • RMP- Risk Management Plans • ICS- Incident Command System • RRT- Regional Response Team • RRC- Regional Response Center • RICT- Regional Incident Coordination Team

  5. What’s going on Nationally? • June: Government-wide Homeland Security Plan • By June: EPA Homeland Strategic Plan • Preparation of Lessons Learned reports for WTC and Anthrax

  6. EPA’s Draft Homeland Security Strategic Plan Three mission-critical areas: • Critical Infrastructure Protection • Preparedness and Response • Communication and Information

  7. Lessons Learned in the aftermath of September 11, 2001

  8. WTC Lessons Learned/Recommendations • Decision-Making and Communication • Emergency Response Structure and Plans • Data Analysis and Information Management Infrastructure • Public Information Dissemination • Resources • Safety and Security • Environmental Vulnerabilities

  9. WTC Lessons Learned Proposed Next Steps • EPA implement internal corrective actions • Work with HQ on implementation of these actions • Work with State & Local Partners in developing communication lines and coordination • Decide what additional work is needed by seeking input from our States on this and other Homeland Security efforts

  10. Water Protection Task Force • 168,000 public drinking water systems • 20,000 wastewater collection and treatment systems in the US • There are about 600,000 miles of municipal sewers in service • EPA working with the states, tribes, municipalities and related organizations to enhance security for all

  11. Water Protection Activities • Tools Development – Vulnerability Assessments (supplies & wastewater) • Training – vulnerability & response • Technical and Financial Assistance • Information Sharing System • Improve Knowledge- Research • Networking (Government, Utilities, …)

  12. FY 2002 Water Supply Grants • Appropriation $ 90 Million Total • Drinking Water Utilities serving > 100,000 • Nationally- 400+, Region 6- 56; Texas- 40. • Grants $125/150K- Vulnerability Assessments. • Vulnerability Training (RFP March 6) • 16 Firms: Sandia Vulnerability Assessments Method. • Each firm to offer 2 Training Sessions (32 total). • Technical Support to Smaller Systems

  13. Criminal Investigation Division • Dist. Attorney Counter Terrorism T/F. • Introduce On Scene Coordinators. • Explain EPA’s Roles during an Incident. • During an Emergency “Incident.” • Initial Response- support the responders help secure the scene. • Once Site Stabilized- work w/ ICS & Law Enforcement officials to control the scene & collect evidence.

  14. Plans are worthless. Planning is essential. General Dwight Eisenhower

  15. Region 6 Activities • Reestablishment of the RICT • Improve Communication • Real-time monitoring • Regional Response Corp • E-Plan • CRISIS software • Pilot Chemical Security Audits with Industry • Outreach- State-Local/EPA meetings • Table-top Exercise

  16. The Regional Incident Coordination Team (RICT) • Mgmt level oversight & coordination. • Coordination with other organizations. • Support three work groups- • Immediate Response. • Chemical Security. • Data Assessment. • Communication of “Program” activities.

  17. Electronic Communication Link • Region 6 Electronic Communication Link for Local Community Leaders, State Contacts and EPA HQ Program Contacts • Collecting names, phone #’s, email. • Beta testing list for each community. • Opens lines of communication for both the preparedness planning process and the incident response.

  18. Immediate Response • Standard Procedures for the RRC. • Establish a Regional Support Corps. • Tech. Support to On Scene Coordinators. • Build on Existing Capacity. • Provide extra training & equipment. • Rapid deployment for 3-4 weeks. • Staffing to RRC “command post”.

  19. Chemical Security • Reviewing existing Chemical Facility Audit programs & mandates. • Participating in Industry efforts. • Evaluating options for working with Industry to develop & publish self audit protocols. • Limited number of Agency Audits.

  20. Data Assessment Work Group • Access & Analysis of GIS data sets and internal program information. • Support Pilots IT projects. •  General GIS Support. •  Data Integration. •  Environmental Modeling. • Information related Projects.

  21. OSCARS • A GIS based application to support OCS. • Compiles basic GIS Data Layers. • Provides basic Queries required by OSC’s. • Originally, ArcView 3.x & Avenue. • Moving OSCARS to ArcIMS. • Maintenance of GIS data.

  22. CRISIS Pilot Test • Commercial incident management s/w. • Provides resource mgt. & mapping. • Installed on RRC Network. • Key staff trained on use & administration. • Providing feedback for programming enhancements. • GIS: Links to Regional GIS Server.

  23. GIS Data Maintenance • Nationally- Geospatial One Stop • Region –Federal GIS Work Groups • State- Texas Strategic Mapping Program • Local- (NCTCOG) GIS Consortium • Organization- Coordinate & Share Data.

  24. E-Plan The Challenge • Provide critical facility information to emergency responders, planners, and security specialists • Prevent unauthorized information access • Work within existing regulatory structure

  25. Existing HazMat Information Primary Sources • Tier II • Risk Management Plans & Databases • Facility Response Plans / ICPs (One Plans) Additional Sources • DOT Emergency Response Guide • MSDS / Chemical Profiles • NFPA Diamond Codes • Web Sites (eg. Cameo, Weather, USFA) • Other (eg. Regional Plans, Pipeline Plans, etc.)

  26. Information Users Information Requirements First Responders Time Critical Incident Managers Incident Critical HazMat Sites / Facilities Facility Preparedness Regulatory Compliance System Preparedness System Management Regulatory Agencies Information Hierarchy Quick Response Planned Response More Complex Less Complex

  27. E-PLANInformation Aggregation Sources eplan.utdallas.edu hazmat.utdallas.edu Websites FRP/ ICP RMP E-Plan Facility Database Other Tier II Off-System Off-System On-System

  28. E-Plan Project Progress • Project Initiated November 2000 at UTD with EPA/TNRCC Grant • Development Team Assembled • Concept Proven & Successful • Designed & Developed a Working Prototype System • Pilot Projects (Beta Sites) UNDERWAY

  29. David A. Parrish, GIS Coordinator U.S. EPA, Region 6 (6EN-X) 1445 Ross Ave., Dallas, TX 75202-2733 phone: 214/665-8352 email: parrish.david@epa.gov http://www.epa.gov/region6/gis +-------------------------------------------------+ The fruit of service is peace. Mother Teresa

  30. Homeland Security Efforts at EPA Region 6 Abstract: EPA Region 6 is proactive in its response counter terrorism and other environmental emergencies. Prior to Sept. 11 the Region had completed construction of a Regional Response Center (RRC) to serve as a base of operation during an environmental "incident." Since Sept. 11 ongoing efforts to support the RRC have been expedited. The Regional Incident Coordination Team (RICT) provides management level oversight and coordination of Regional efforts and coordination with Federal, State and local organizations. The RICT has three work groups that focus on specific issues, Immediate Response, Chemical Security and Data Assessment. The Data Assessment Work Group is working to enhance access to and analysis of GIS data sets and internal program information. Additionally, three key Information Technologies (IT) pilots have been initiated to improve operations at the RRC. First, OSCARS provides a GIS based application to our response staff in the field. Second, CRISIS, an commercial incident management software, is being piloted by the Region. Finally, E-Plan, an EPA supported project with the Texas Natural Resources Conservation Commission and the University of Texas at Dallas, is evaluating a mechanism to serve information from facility emergency response plans to first responders and other key participants in a secure, efficient manner.

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