U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
POLLUTION/SITUATION REPORT
EPA Response to Haiti Earthquake - Removal Polrep
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Region II
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Subject:
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POLREP #8
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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Planning Section Chief, Haiti Disaster Response, Region II REOC
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Date:
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3/5/2010
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Reporting Period:
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1. Introduction
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1.1 Background
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Site Number: |
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Contract Number: |
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D.O. Number: |
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Action Memo Date: |
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Response Authority: |
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Response Type: |
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Response Lead: |
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Incident Category: |
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NPL Status: |
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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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CERCLIS ID: |
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RCRIS ID: |
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ERNS No.: |
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State Notification: |
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FPN#: |
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Reimbursable Account #: |
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1.1.1 Incident Category
Earthquake disaster.
1.1.2 Site Description
Site conditions remain as previously reported.
1.1.2.1 Location
Republic of Haiti, all areas.
1.1.2.2 Description of Threat
Threats are being assessed for possible future assignments.
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
On February 1, 2010, EPA received a request for assistance from the Department of Defense Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). SOUTHCOM requested EPA assistance in the Haiti recovery efforts. They specifically wanted the agency to participate in a Joint Task Force (JTF) to develop an assessment of environmental needs for Haiti, for both the short and long term. The EDIFY will be comprised of other federal partners. SOUTHCOM has contacted the DOE, DOT/CG, US-AID and USEPA. EPA Region 2 has deployed two individuals for a 30 day tour to support this effort. The overall effort will focus on providing environmental aspects of base camp assessment, debris staging locations, and initial environmental planning.
The JTF continues to assess critical needs and make recommendations to administer immediate assistance to help prevent further loss of life and the deterioration of human health. Although the current mission is dynamic and broad in scope, because of the enormity and scale of the tragedy EPA personnel are helping to identify potential areas that may be critical or more properly part of a longer term recovery effort. EPA is conducting environmental assessments as requested and continues to make recommendations to the JTF and the Haitian government.
EPA personnel for the next deployment are scheduled and are being readied to depart on or about March, 10, 2010.
2.1.2 Response Actions to Date
As of this report date the JTF has visited and assessed additional locations for possible use as debris staging and/or disposal areas. In addition, the JTF has been inspecting the container port area for hazardous materials and oil spills.
Continuing concerns are for construction debris landfills and disposal of solid & medical waste. Information on portable med waste incinerators and refuse compactors (for plastic bottles) is being sent with the next EPA contingent due to leave for Haiti on March 12th.
An emerging need is for radiological waste screening at the locations of former medical clinics and hospitals. Although medical X-ray devices are not a rad source since those X-rays are not produced by a radioisotope, the existence of Cobalt-60 (Co-60) rad sources from cancer treatment machines may be a potential rad source. The next EPA team may bring a rad detection device with them if it is deemed necessary. The EPA Region II Radiation Coordinator will be contacted for additional information/guidance in this matter as needed.
2.1.3 Enforcement Activities, Identity of Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs)
n/a
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
EPA responders are providing initial environmental assessments, developing environmental strategies/plans, and working as part of an interagency Joint Task Force to provide short and long term environmental recommendations.
2.2.1.1 Planned Response Activities
Working with the other Task Force members, EPA is scoping potential mission areas and will identify issues where assistance may be provided. EPA will coordinate actions with the Task Force agencies and the Haitian government as necessary.
As of February 23, 2010, EPA reps have been part of the JTF assessing potential locations for construction debris placement/disposal. Other problems the JTF is looking into is disposal of human waste, short and long term solutions to a growing mass of solid waste, in particular plastic bottles. The lack of clean water (other than plastic containers) is also linked to a need for infrastructure repair for public drinking water supplies. The JTF is working with the DOD and the Army Corp of Engineers (ACOE) in these regards.
2.2.1.2 Next Steps
EPA Region II and EPA HQ will continue to plan and implement support of the response effort for Haiti. A potential problem with disposal of millions of empty plastic water bottles is rapidly becoming a real problem. The JTF has requested EPA assistance to address recycling of plastic solid waste.
Another matter rapidly becoming a pressing need is human waste disposal, tied into a desire to initiate some method of methane recovery. It is reported that the Haitian government is not in favor of composting putrescable waste matter (vegetable, animal, and fecal waste) as an alternative to landfill. Region II will initiate dialogue with EPA Headquarters on possible solutions to plastic recycling and waste disposal, although these matters may be more practical as long-term projects which are part of a larger recovery effort. See the Operations Section for rad information.
EPA Region II is finalizing plans to deploy it's second team of OSCs to Haiti. OSC Mike Brescio and OSC Jeff Bechtel will depart for Miami on March 11, 2010 for a 30-day deployment to Haiti.
2.2.2 Issues
From a Regional perspective, funding source(s) will be needed to support Regional participation in the response past the initial 30 day deployment period.
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2.3 Logistics Section
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2.3 Logistics Section
Southern Command will continue to provide logistical support (security, food, sanitation) for EPA staff. During
the initial mobilization phase it is expected that all responders, including those from back-up EPA Regions (if needed) will depart from Edison, NJ to Miami, FL. Connecting military flights to Haiti will be provided by DOD for the foreseeable future.
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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
A pre-deployment Health and Safety briefing package has been developed. A written medical clearance procedure has been drafted. A Health & Safety Plan has been developed based upon upon anticipated mission activities and will be revised as the mission and areas of operation are developed. CISM briefing was initiated by the Region II CISM team and responders were provided pre-deployment materials regarding stress and health maintenance.
Reports of isolated occurrences of malaria among off-Island responders turned out to be incorrect. The disease was diagnosed as Leptospirosis, a debilitating bacterial infection that exhibits flu-like symptoms. This is a non-fatal disease that is readily controlled by doxycycline which is already being used by responders as an anti-malarial med.
Malaria is still a very real threat, and Region II has reminded it's personnel to take anti-malarial medication as exactly prescribed. In addition, the second EPA team deploying to Haiti will be issued mosquito nets for their cots and mosquito repellant wipes for personal use.
All documents not containing personal information are posted on the www.epaosc.org website.
2.6 Liaison Officer
n/a
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 the www.epaosc.org Haiti earthquake response website.
EPA public affairs contact information was provided to SOUTHCOM so that external communications can be coordinated.
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
n/a
3.2 Cooperating Agencies
EPA will provide assistance to 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 OSC Michael Solecki and ERT staff member Alan Humphrey. They arrived in Haiti on February 16, 2010. They were instructed to communicate with the Region II REOC everyday at 10 AM and 4 PM, but due to time constraints and extremely poor communications, maintaining a strict coms plan proved to be almost impossible. Communication between the REOC and ground personnel continues to be sporadic at best. Communication by e-mail seems to be the best means of passing information between field personnel and the REOC, but that too is of limited availability at the US Embassy grounds.
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5. Definition of Terms
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n/a
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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. Click on" Web Sites", then "Region II". Scroll down to "Haiti Response" and click on that link.
6.2 Reporting Schedule
Due to the somewhat routine nature of the information/feedback the REOC has been getting from our responders, and the difficulty obtaining updated information, effective March 5, 2010 ,SITREPs will be issued once a week on Friday. If the response situation dictates otherwise, SITREPSs will be issued more frequently. If something extraordinary occurs, a SPECIAL SITREP will be issued for that particular event.
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7. Situational Reference Materials
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Situational updates provided by DHS are posted on the www.epa.osc website.
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