Developing and Testing Response Plans for US Coast Guard Facilities and Equipment 

EPA, the Department of Homeland Security, and US Coast Guard (USCG) worked together on the Analysis for Coastal Operational Resiliency (AnCOR) project. It involved field-level demonstrations to train USCG response personnel and test equipment that could be used following a biohazard emergency. CSS first assisted with planning and executing a demonstration of three decontamination technologies on a USCG vessel contaminated with a benign surrogate for anthrax. We wrote and reviewed quality, sampling, air monitoring, and safety plans for the demonstration.  While onsite for the 4-week demonstration, we set up the test bed during all three phases; prepared sampling kits; collected multimedia samples during the tests; shipped samples to the analytical laboratory; and prepared sections of the final report.

In a follow-on AnCOR project, we helped plan and execute a Wide Area Demonstration (WAD) at Ft. A.P. Hill’s Urban Warfare Training Center.  The month-long field demonstration focused on decontaminating USCG-related structures (buildings and docks), materials (ropes, buoys), and hard and soft surfaces (asphalt, concrete, gravel, and vegetation). CSS participated in small workgroups to develop the exercise framework, prepared the Sampling Plan, and coordinated with the data management team. We handled the logistics for the exercise, arranging for decontamination contractors, videographers, office trailers, personal hygiene units, and electrical generators. During the field test we placed senior technical staff onsite to assist with background sampling, surrogate application, pre- and post-decontamination sampling, and two types of decontamination. We placed 65 reference material coupons and supported the collection and shipment of another 700 samples for analysis.

Additional Projects

IT Support to NOAA Fisheries

Our IT services support included developing and integrating information management systems central to NOAA Fisheries’ management and protection of living marine resources and their habitats

Managed Desktop Services

CSS designed, implemented, and provides ongoing support of a complex virtual desktop and server infrastructure for Space Florida.

Biogeographic Assessment of the Main Hawaiian Islands (MHI)

CSS compiled and visualized data showing the distribution of habitats and marine organisms, to establish a baseline for assessing and monitoring potential environmental impacts from renewable energy projects.

Safety, Health, & Environmental

We provide our clients with tools to protect their workforce, the public, and the environment.

Earth & Space Science Support & Operations

We deliver scientific support to advance our clients’ research goals.

IT Services

Our IT solutions meet clients’ evolving needs.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

We help our clients prepare for and protect the health and environment of communities after disasters and hazmat releases.

Human Health Risk Assessment

We help advance the understanding of chemical effects on people and the environment.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

We understand your facility support needs and deliver customized solutions.

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

We apply science to address challenges affecting the nation’s natural resources.

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