NCJ Number
189839
Date Published
November 1997
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This document reviews the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) role in counterterrorism.
Abstract
The general role in crisis management is to provide technical advice to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on-scene commander, assist in the conduct of scientific and technical assessments, make recommendations for the deployment of response assets, and assist the FBI in working with State and local responders. At the site will be a unified command with the FBI, fire and police officials, and emergency medical services (EMS). The EPA will have a role in the Strategic Information Operations Center (SIOC) at FBI headquarters and the Joint Operations Center at the FBI field office. The EPA will be a part of the multi-agency command group providing technical support in the Operations group and Emergency Support Function (ESF) liaisons in the consequence management group. The EPA, as primary agency for ESF #10, is responsible for protecting human health and welfare and environment. ESF #10 performance of activities is not expected to change significantly, but coordination mechanisms will change. When an incident has occurred, initial actions of crisis management will be to notify FBI Special Agent in Charge/Command post, notify FBI headquarters, conduct initial agent identification, provide technical support to local incident commander, and activate liaisons to Strategic Information Operations Center (SIOC). The initial actions of consequence management will be to notify FEMA key staff, convene CDRG as required, staff/deploy Joint Operations Center (JOC) consequence management group, and activate Regional Operations Center (ROC) and EST. Also, liaison to FBI SIOC must be deployed, as well as Emergency Response Team. FEMA directs further actions using normal procedures. The NRS response is to be aware of the potential for criminal/terrorist causes, contact NEIC for assistance, and contact FBI Special Agent in Charge with suspicions. The issues concerning On-Scene Commanders (OSCs) in the interaction with the FBI include utilizing NCP authority within guidelines provided in the Terrorism Incident Annex in the Federal Response Plan (FRP); being involved as the EPA works with the FBI and other agencies; maintaining a good working relationship with local first responders; and being proactive by contacting FBI and regional Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offices regarding potential incidents.