Chemical Safety Emergency Responses

When the United States as a whole, or any portion or property of the federal or state
governments, is threatened by a chemical hazard, a host of agencies go into action.
Communities, neighborhoods, and localities are also encouraged—and in some cases
required—to develop their own emergency response plans. In the event of a chemical
threat, communities are protected by provisions in the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Passed by Congress in 1986, EPCRA
establishes guidelines whereby federal agencies assist local communities in the event of a
toxic chemical spill or related incident. EPCRA also provides a framework for action
both by citizens and state governments.

There are numerous federal offices assigned to handle threats involving the release,
whether intentional or accidental, of hazardous chemicals. Most notable among these is
the Coast Guard National Response Center, the first point of contact for information on
hazardous-waste spills and a host of other threats to the environment or infrastructure.
Within the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army and Marines both have forces designed
to respond to chemical threats, as do a number of other departments of the federal
government. Likewise, Washington oversees civilian-run installations, such as the
Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability, to monitor chemical and other threats. These
and other agencies are discussed elsewhere; in the present context, the primary concern is
the local, civilian response to chemical hazards.

EPCRA provides a response plan. Motivated by concerns raised by the disaster in

Bhopal, India, where in 1984 some 2,000 people lost their lives due to an accidental
release of toxic chemicals, Congress passed EPCRA. The latter established requirements
for federal, state, and local governments, Indian tribes, as well as for industry, with regard
to emergency planning and "community right-to-know" concerning toxic chemicals. In
addition to emergency planning and emergency release notification, EPCRA addresses
hazardous chemical storage reporting requirements and toxic chemical release
inventories.

Under the provisions of EPCRA, each state governor appoints a state emergency response
commission (SERC). The SERCs have in turn designated a total of about 3,500 local
emergency planning districts nationwide. For each of these, the SERC appoints a local
emergency planning committee (LEPC). Under the guidance of the SERC, the LEPC
develops a community emergency response plan
A chemical, biological incidence response force (CBIRF) responds to a mock emergency
at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, California.
AP/WIDE WORLD PHOTOS
.

designed to identify threats, establish workable emergency procedures, assess

preparedness, train local response teams, and take steps to maintain supplies and
schedules in preparation for any possible threat.

Federal assistance. In the event of a terrorist attack involving hazardous chemicals,

guideline provisions direct that local authorities should establish an incident command
system that may eventually become a unified command involving federal authorities.
Under such circumstances, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is usually designated the
lead federal agency. Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency acts as the
lead office for coordination of federal support to state and local personnel. Also involved
are the National Response Team, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department
of Health and Human Services, and Department of Defense.

In accordance with the federal response plan, a national contingency plan for response to
disasters, federal agencies are grouped into one of 12 functional areas for emergency
support functions (ESFs). For example, EPA, which is heavily involved in oversight
regarding EPCRA compliance and preparedness, falls under ESF 10, Hazardous
Materials. EPA personnel work to determine the nature of the hazardous substance
released, and follow up with environmental monitoring, decontamination, and long-term
cleanup of the affected site.
█ FURTHER READING:
BOOKS:

The EPCRA Compliance Manual: Interpreting and Implementing the Emergency

Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act of 1986. Chicago: American Bar
Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, 1997.

EPCRA: Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. Chicago: American

Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, 2002.

EPCRA Section 313 Questions and Answers: Section 313 of the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act, Toxic Chemical Release Inventory. Washington, D.C.:
United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics, 1999.

ELECTRONIC:

RCRA, Superfund, and EPCRA Call Center. http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hotline/

(January 29, 2003).