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

Onsite Analytical Support Following Hurricane Harvey

CSS helped EPA protect the communities affected by Hurricane Harvey from volatile and semi-volatile water contaminants.

Analytical Laboratory Support for Mass Transit Decontamination Research

CSS helped advance EPA’s body of knowledge for restoring subway systems after a biological incident.

Seafloor Substrate Mapping and Model Validation of Offshore Wind Sites

CSS supported developing a comprehensive seafloor characterization in support of a $3 billion offshore wind energy project in the coastal waters of New York.

IT Services

Our IT solutions meet clients’ evolving needs.

Safety, Health, & Environmental

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

Satellite Data Applications

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

Emergency Preparedness & Response

We help our clients prepare for and protect the health and environment of communities after disasters and hazmat releases.

Human Health Risk Assessment

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

Earth & Space Science Support & Operations

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

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

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

Get in touch

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