Emergency Response Planning for New York City
CSS’ staff worked EPA Consequence Management Advisory Division (CMAD) to develop an integrated framework for responding if a biological agent was released over a wide area in New York City.
Helping Major Cities Plan for Disaster Response and Recovery
The physical environment of a large city poses specific challenges when planning for disaster response. Major issues include how to quickly protect the health of a large population, how to remediate homes and commercial buildings, and how to get essential transit systems and businesses up and running. CSS’ staff worked EPA CMAD to develop an integrated framework for responding if a biological agent was released over a wide area in New York City. The framework provides technical and operational guidance that is scalable and can be applied to several types of scenarios. Our staff worked with six workgroups to help develop:
- Templates for Sampling and Analytical Plans (SAP) and Remedial Action Plans (RAP)
- A decision tree for decontamination options; and
- Guidance for affected homeowners and businesses on using private remediation contractors
We helped perform an engineering remediation analysis of a large building in New York City, then used the templates to prepare an SAP and RAP for that building. Similarly, we used the templates to develop an SAP and RAP for a subway system, including options for decontamination of subway stations and cars. The completed framework document serves as the template for other U.S. cities looking to creating city-specific response and recovery plans.
We submitted our deliverables on time and $100,000 under budget. EPA praised our work as “Another excellent example of scientific support.”
Additional Projects
Grape Microbiota
CSS was selected to develop an experiment payload to examine the effect of microgravity throughout the various stages of wine fermentation.
Operation and Maintenance of High Throughput Mobile Laboratory Units
Analytical Support for EPA’s Consequence Management Advisory Division (CMAD) – CSS operates and maintains 10 mobile analytical laboratories under contract with EPA’s Office of Emergency Management.
Analytical Chemistry Support for the US EPA National Aquatic Resource Survey
CSS chemically analyzes hundreds of water samples collected annually from the US EPA’s National Aquatic Resource Survey (NARS), a critical contribution to the EPA assessments of the condition of the nation’s water bodies.
Service Areas
Space Science Application Support & Operations
We deliver scientific support to advance our clients’ research goals.
Emergency Preparedness & Response
We help our clients prepare for and protect the health and environment of communities after disasters and hazmat releases.
Satellite Data Applications
Helping create a more environmentally sustainable, weather-ready, and secure nation through application of earth observation data
Environmental Resource Assessment & Management
We apply science to address challenges affecting the nation’s natural resources.
Safety, Health, & Environmental
We provide our clients with tools to protect their workforce, the public, and the environment.
Human Health Risk Assessment
We help advance the understanding of chemical effects on people and the environment.
Get in touch
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