DHS providing chemical hazard support

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) officials said the agency is providing chemical hazard support as the Gulf Coast prepares for another major storm.

DHS indicated the Chemical Security Analysis Center (CSAC) is spearheading the support effort with regard to Hurricane Sally. The CSAC is researching and identifying chemical facilities in the storm’s predicted path based on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Risk Management Plan (RMP) database, Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT), and latitude and longitude information.

The CSAC’s scope of work also involves analyzing any chemical plants conducting processes susceptible to chemical release resulting from building damage, loss of power, or process monitoring. The analysis is based on past experiences – such as the Crosby, Texas, chemical plant fire caused by damage from Hurricane Harvey in 2015.

The FEMA / Interagency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center (IMAAC) is managed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Technical Reachback Center, as well as the Joint Task Force – Civil Support Team (CST) will have access to the CSAC breakdown.

The entities will be on standby to provide chemical hazard assessments based on damage to chemical facilities, chemical surface transport, or piping systems.