Helping Major Cities Plan for Disaster Response and Recovery

The physical environment of a large city poses specific challenges when planning for disaster response.  Major issues include how to quickly protect the health of a large population, how to remediate homes and commercial buildings, and how to get essential transit systems and businesses up and running.  CSS’ staff worked EPA CMAD to develop an integrated framework for responding if a biological agent was released over a wide area in New York City. The framework provides technical and operational guidance that is scalable and can be applied to several types of scenarios. Our staff worked with six workgroups to help develop:

  • Templates for Sampling and Analytical Plans (SAP) and Remedial Action Plans (RAP)
  • A decision tree for decontamination options; and
  • Guidance for affected homeowners and businesses on using private remediation contractors

We helped perform an engineering remediation analysis of a large building in New York City, then used the templates to prepare an SAP and RAP for that building. Similarly, we used the templates to develop an SAP and RAP for a subway system, including options for decontamination of subway stations and cars. The completed framework document serves as the template for other U.S. cities looking to creating city-specific response and recovery plans.

We submitted our deliverables on time and $100,000 under budget. EPA praised our work as “Another excellent example of scientific support.”

Additional Projects

IT Support to NOAA Fisheries

Our IT services support included developing and integrating information management systems central to NOAA Fisheries’ management and protection of living marine resources and their habitats

Plant Water Management in Microgravity

CSS was selected by NASA through its REMIS contract to serve as payload developer, performing mission integration and operations to advance the fundamental research to a higher Technology Readiness Level.

Development support of NOAA/NOA OceanReports

CSS’s Team helped create the OceanReports web-based tool that assists in the analysis of coastal and marine resources for commerce, development, and conservation.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

We understand your facility support needs and deliver customized solutions.

Human Health Risk Assessment

We help advance the understanding of chemical effects on people and the environment.

IT Services

Our IT solutions meet clients’ evolving needs.

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

We apply science to address challenges affecting the nation’s natural resources.

Satellite Data Applications

Helping create a more environmentally sustainable, weather-ready, and secure nation through application of earth observation data  

Safety, Health, & Environmental

We provide our clients with tools to protect their workforce, the public, and the environment.

Space Science Application Support & Operations

We deliver scientific support to advance our clients’ research goals.

Get in touch

Contact us to learn more about our projects, capabilities, solutions, and service offerings.