Environmental Hazards and Disaster Preparedness

Domain 6: Environmental Management

• Environmental hazards have increased due to accidents globally, raising public concern. Notable events like the Bhopal disaster and the Institute, West Virginia release amplified public awareness.
• The EPA created the Chemical Emergency Preparedness Program (CEPP) in 1985.
• CEPP fosters voluntary planning for emergencies at local and state levels, complemented by national and regional planning.
• This local planning safeguards against emergencies involving hazardous substances, pollutants, hazards, HAZMAT, oil, and weapons of mass destruction.

Topic 1: Environmental Hazards - Disaster Preparedness

• Hazardous substance releases have increased in frequency and severity, prompting public concern.
• Accidents like the Bhopal methyl isocyanate release and the Institute, West Virginia, incident highlighted the potential for disaster in the U.S.
• The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), also known as Title III of SARA, emphasizes emergency response planning.
• States must have emergency response commissions (SERCs), and local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) must develop emergency response plans.
• Facilities must notify authorities of hazardous substance releases above a reportable minimum quantity.
• Notifications must include the chemical name, identification as an extremely hazardous substance, estimated amount released, time of release, whether airborne, aquatic, or terrestrial, and details about the associated risks and available medical precautions.
• Community emergency response plan elements include identifying facilities handling extremely hazardous substances and relevant transportation routes.

Topic 1: Environmental Hazards - Oil-Spill Prevention and Preparedness

• The EPA has a program to prevent, prepare for, and respond to oil spills impacting U.S. inland waters.
• The Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule (40 CFR 112), enacted since 2002, necessitates that respective facilities implement SPCC plans.
• Unlike typical spill response plans, SPCC plans focus on spill prevention, primarily by ensuring facilities prevent oil from entering navigable waterways.
• Such preventative measures in SPCC plans include, planning and enforcement steps along with oil spill liability and penalty provisions of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
• Facilities must have a contingency plan for secondary containment if an oil spill occurs.

Domain 6-Environmental Management

• Comprehensive review of emergency response systems to prevent future chemical accidents across the U.S.
• The EPA periodically analyzes the compliance and effectiveness of local emergency plans and response procedures.
• The EPA surveys LEPCs, focusing on their communication with local citizens and the effectiveness of various programs.
• Nationwide Survey of LEPCs (2008) examined current local emergency planning committee practices and needs.