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Basic Information
EPA’s role in the homeland security arena is to provide technical support to Federal, state, local, and tribal authorities, industry, and other stakeholders on waste management decisions before, during, and after a homeland security incidents occurs. Most homeland security incidents (e.g., acts of terrorism, large-scale natural disasters, major accidents, and animal disease outbreaks) involve waste management issues and decisions, which can significantly affect the cost and timeline of the response to and recovery from the incident. For example, terrorist events can result in large amounts of contaminated materials and debris, large-scale natural disasters can generate large quantities of mixed debris, and animal disease outbreaks may result in the need to treat and/or dispose of large volumes of contaminated carcasses. Therefore, we believe it is important to incorporate planning and stakeholder participation into the waste management decision-making process for homeland security incidents as early as possible.
Below you can find more information about our role in EPA’s Homeland Security efforts.
Responsibilities
- Promote waste management-related planning and preparation for natural and man-made disasters;
- Encourage stakeholders to begin thinking about waste management-related issues early in the decision-making process during a response to an incident;
- Provide technical support on waste management issues to Federal agencies and state, local, and tribal governments before, during, and after a homeland security incident and during preparedness efforts;
- Advise stakeholders on best waste management practices to protect human health and the environment;
- Review emergency response plans for Federal agencies for waste management-related issues;
- Participate in exercises with Federal, state, local, and tribal emergency responders;
- Update waste management guidance.
Goals and Objectives
- Support emergency responders and waste management decision-makers before, during, and after homeland security incidents and exercises;
- Increase a community’s preparation and knowledge before a natural or man-made disaster occurs;
- Comply with the National Incident Management System and all other Federal directives such as the Homeland Security Presidential Directives and the National Response Framework;
- Help advance the state of the knowledge involving waste management methods relevant to homeland security.
Contact Us
The Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery welcomes your comments or questions that are not addressed on this website. Please send us an e-mail at HS WasteMgmt@epa.gov
