U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
EPA Response to Haiti Earthquake - Removal Polrep

EPA Emergency Response

UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
Subject: POLREP #2
EPA Response to Haiti Earthquake

Port-au-Prince, HT
Latitude: 18.5394190 Longitude: -72.3367230

To:
From: Duty Officer, Region 2 REOC
Date: 1/28/2010
Reporting Period:

1. Introduction
  1.1 Background
   
Site Number:      Contract Number:  
D.O. Number:      Action Memo Date:  
Response Authority:      Response Type:  
Response Lead:    Incident Category:
NPL Status:    Operable Unit:
Mobilization Date:      Start Date:  
Demob Date:      Completion Date:  
CERCLIS ID:    RCRIS ID:
ERNS No.:    State Notification:
FPN#:    Reimbursable Account #:


1.1.1 Incident Category
Earthquake disaster

1.1.2 Site Description 
Jan. 12, 2010 - The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 7.0 magnitude earthquake occurred 10 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti at a depth of 6 miles, with a 5.9 magnitude aftershock that occurred 40 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince. The National Oceanographic (NOAA) National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami watch in effect for Haiti, Cuba,the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic. However, NOAA states that a damaging tsunami is not expected along the Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, US Atlantic, Eastern Canadian and Gulf of Mexico coasts. US Department of State (DOS) reports Embassy Port-au-Prince is currently accounting for staff, but reports landless and cell phone communications are down and some structures across the embassy have collapsed. The National Guard Bureau reports the Puerto Rico National Guard is on standby.

Jan. 20, 2010 -The U.S. Geological Survey reported that a magnitude 6.1 earthquake, depth 6.2 miles, occurred approximately 35 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.  Potential damage is light to moderate on the Modified Mercalli Scale (MMS).  This earthquake is located too far inland to generate a tsunami in the Caribbean.   A tsunami is not expected along the coasts of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico states.  No immediate reports of additional damage or casualties have been received.

 

1.1.2.1 Location

1.1.2.2 Description of Threat

1.1.3 Preliminary Removal Assessment/Removal Site Inspection Results
2. Current Activities
  2.1 Operations Section
    2.1.1 Narrative
At this point, EPA is standing by, awaiting activation to provide assistance to the government of Haiti for Oil/Hazardous Materials identification, collection and disposal; technical assistance to US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) for drinking water and wastewater; and debris collection/removal. Each of these activities will be carried out in conjunction with the USACOE, FEMA, US Coast Guard and other participating/cooperating agencies.

EPA has identified personnel to support 3 five-person assessment teams, plus 1 five-person IMT to handle ICS process and support overhead.  Initial deployment teams will be comprised of Region 1,2,4,and 6 personnel along with ERT, NDT and NEIC special teams members.

Activities to secure government passports and ensure appropriate vaccination has commenced.

2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
None at this time by the US EPA.

2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
None at this time.

2.1.4 Progress Metrics

Waste Stream Medium Quantity Manifest # Treatment Disposal
 N/A          
           
           



  2.2 Planning Section
    2.2.1 Anticipated Activities
Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA) maps indicate that the city of Port-au-Prince has been divided into sectors by the rescue teams at work in the City.  EPA also plans to divide the City into manageable areas - each headed by an assigned OSC Incident Commander (IC) - to accomplish the assigned missions in conjunction with EPA's partners.  It is planned that the assessment phase will evolve into a response phase - with EPA's personnel on the ground limited to a manageable number due to logistics constraints.

2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Upon activation, the US EPA Region II and back-up EPA Regions 1, 6, and 4 will provide environmental assessment activities and coordinate actions with the USCG, ACOE, other Federal Agencies, and the Haitian government as necessary.

2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA Region II and the supporting Regions are in a standby mode awaiting activation orders to assist in the response.

2.2.2 Issues
  2.3 Logistics Section
    2.3 Logistics Section
It is anticipated and expected that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/FEMA and or the Department of Defense will be handling logistical operations (security, housing, food services, sanitation facilities) for the EPA while in Haiti.  Region II will continue to pursue and determine these expectations as the response progresses.  EPA personnel will not be establishing their own lodging arrangements at this time.  Potential lodging arrangements during the early phase of this disaster may include lodging possible in a tent city.

Initial flight transportation for responders to Haiti is expected to be performed by the DOD operating out of McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey.  During the initial mobilization phase, it is expected that all responders, including those from back-up EPA Regions will depart from McGuire AFB. 

  2.4 Finance Section
    No information available at this time.
  2.5 Other Command Staff
    2.5.1 Safety Officer
A pre-Deployment Health and Safety briefing package has been developed.

A draft Health & Safety Plan has been developed, based upon upon anticipated missions and activities.  The initial HASP will need to be completed once a response mission and area of operation is established.

Both documents are posted on epaosc.org website.

2.6 Liaison Officer
 

2.7 Information Officer
2.7.1 Public Information Officer
All information concerning potential deployment to Haiti are being handled through the Region II REOC and informational updates by DHS are being posted on epaosc.org Haiti earthquake response website.

2.7.2 Community Involvement Coordinator
None at this time.

3. Participating Entities
  3.1 Unified Command


3.2 Cooperating Agencies
EPA will provide assistance to the Haitian government and other Federal Agencies (DOD, ACOE, FEMA, USCG, etc) as requested.

4. Personnel On Site
  EPA personnel are not deployed to Haiti at this time.

5. Definition of Terms
  No information available at this time.
6. Additional sources of information
  6.1 Internet location of additional information/report
http://www.epaosc.org/site/site_profile.aspx?site_id=5732

6.2 Reporting Schedule
POL/SITREP's will be prepared Tuesday and Friday of each week unless the response situation dictates otherwise

7. Situational Reference Materials
  Situational updates provided by DHS are posted on this website.