Hurricane Response Guide for Environmental Public Health Professionals
Monitor air quality at waste handling and disposal sites to detect and mitigate potential issues such as dust, odors, and pollutant emissions. Monitor water quality near temporary debris sites and landfills to detect potential contamination. Consider leachate (i.e., contaminated liquid that can seep from waste) collection issues that may arise due to the storm. Conduct ongoing assessments of debris management operations to ensure they continue to meet public health and environmental standards throughout the recovery period.
Pro Tips Must Know Role of Environmental Public Health in Solid Waste and Debris
Within the Incident Command System (ICS), EPH responders may be asked to take on various roles related to post-disaster solid waste and debris management, which can be categorized into assessment, intervention, and communication: Assessment roles involve assisting other agencies in evaluating the types of waste and debris generated, determining potential health risks and safety hazards, and providing technical support to officials and stakeholders. Intervention roles include coordinating with waste management facilities and services, assessing waste management sites for safety and health risks, determining the need for regulatory waivers, and assisting in establishing timelines for resuming normal waste management services. Communication roles involve working with partners to ensure open lines of communication with authorities, responders, and the affected public. This includes providing information and guidance on emergency waste storage and disposal sites, changes in the waste management system, separation and collection of waste and debris, and potential safety and health risks associated with handling solid waste and debris. All information should be disseminated through a Public Information Officer
(PIO) and in collaboration with the Joint Information Center (JIC). Federal Laws Pertaining to Solid Waste and Debris
Statute
Purpose
Compliance Requirements Section 316 allows for some statutory exclusions, generally applied to debris removal, clearance of roads, and demolition of unsafe structures; Section 403 covers Emergency Work, including debris removal and demolition; Section 407 specifically addresses debris removal; Section 502 authorizes direct Federal aid for debris removal.
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as mentioned (Stafford Act)
Provides the statutory framework for a Presidential declaration of an emergency or a declaration of a major disaster.
Page 35
Powered by FlippingBook