Southeast Grand Rapids Site issued the following announcement on Sept. 9.
As part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 50th anniversary celebration, this week, the agency is highlighting the history and progress made on EPA’s emergency response and homeland security efforts. Following the events of September 11, 2001, in which EPA played an active role in the initial response and cleanup efforts, the United States implemented a new national approach to response and implementation of the Incident Command System, including the creation of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS) within EPA’s Office of the Administrator. EPA continues to remain prepared to respond to modern threats to our nation’s security.
“The magnitude of the Sept. 11 disaster as well as the anthrax attacks on Capitol Hill caused EPA to improve our emergency response program to better prepare for the possibility of deliberate attacks,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “Emergency response can always be improved, but EPA and the broader Homeland Security community have improved its ability to react and respond to potential attacks today than in the past.”
“The events of September 11th changed the course of American history forever,” said Associate Administrator Ted Stanich. “The magnitude of the disaster caused EPA to reevaluate our processes and adapt our emergency response program to better prepare for the possibility of deliberate attacks.”
As part of the recognition of the need for preparedness for deliberate attacks, the National Criminal Enforcement Response Team (NCERT) was created to support the agency’s emergency responses and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) with potential weapons of mass destruction (WMD) attacks. NCERT supported the FBI response to the anthrax attacks on Capitol Hill, as well as the Ricin incident. Its role has since expanded to support the agency’s emergency response activities following major hurricanes.
In 2001, anthrax attacks in Washington, D.C. created widespread fear and uncertainty. EPA led efforts in testing surfaces and air within contaminated buildings for the presence of anthrax and ultimately decontaminated the facilities so that they could be reopened. This biological attack was the first of its kind in the country, and no cleanup technology existed at the time to decontaminate on the scale necessary to reopen the U.S. Congressional office buildings. EPA pooled its experience and resources with existing military research to develop and implement a successful cleanup. The aftermath and cleanup activities also led to a new focus on decontamination and waste disposal, as well as the development of National Decontamination Team. The 2003 Ricin incident proved even more the need for such a cadre of national subject matter experts.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Southeast Grand Rapids Site
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