U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
EPA Response to Haiti Earthquake - Removal Polrep
Initial Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
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Subject:
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POLREP #1
Earthquake Response - Haiti
EPA Response to Haiti Earthquake
Port-au-Prince, HT
Latitude: 18.5394190 Longitude: -72.3367230
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To:
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From:
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Ellen Banner, OSC/Environmental Scientist
Michael Ferriola, OSC/Environmental Scientist
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Date:
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1/21/2010
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Reporting Period:
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1/12/2010 to 1/21/2010
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Operable Unit: |
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Mobilization Date: |
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Start Date: |
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Demob Date: |
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Completion Date: |
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State Notification: |
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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
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2. Current Activities
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2.1 Operations Section
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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 is identifying personnel for deployment by checking passport and vaccination status. It is anticipated that the deployment tours will be for 3 weeks and EPA personnel will be grouped into 3 teams of 5 person each for the initial assessment teams.
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 |
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2.2 Planning Section
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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 1/6/4 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
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2.3 Logistics Section
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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.
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2.4 Finance Section
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No information available at this time.
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2.5 Other Command Staff
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2.5.1 Safety Officer
Safety information, specifically suggested immunizations and vaccines, are being obtained from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website. The announcement titled "Guidance for Relief Workers and Others Traveling to Haiti for Earthquake Response" is posted on the epaosc.org website under documents and can also be found at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/news-announcements/relief-workers-haiti.aspx
2.6 Liaison Officer
A liaison officer position for this disaster has not been established at this time.
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.
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3. Participating Entities
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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.
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4. Personnel On Site
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EPA personnel are not deployed to Haiti at this time.
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5. Definition of Terms
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No information available at this time.
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6. Additional sources of information
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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
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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Situational updates provided by DHS are posted on this website.
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