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Disaster Response: Audio Files

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recorded public service announcements (PSA) to provide information to people in affected areas.

Public service announcements are also available in Spanish and Vietnamese.

Hear what EPA is doing to help

Federal Emergency Response and Recovery

• Major disaster process
• Phases of the disaster process
• National Response Plan
• Regional Emergency Operations Center
• EPA's Emergency Response Program
• EPA's On-Scene Coordinator
• EPA background information

Hear about EPA's response resources

• ASPECT early reconnaissance airplane
• DataRAM air monitor
• South central office (Region 6) dive team
• HAWK camera on helicopter
• Laboratory
• National Decontamination Team
• Radiological Emergency Response Team
• Trace atmospheric gas analyzer

Hear what you can do to help

• Report spills
• Volunteer to help
• Sell services or supplies
• Wear protective gear

Hear what to do

• After a disaster
• Asbestos and lead
• Children and disasters
• Disaster preparation
• Drinking water
• Fire, smoke and fumes
• Flooding
• Hazardous waste
• Mold and mildew
• Shelter-in-place

These PSA files are for use by the media and general public.

To listen to a PSA, just click the file name. To download a PSA to your computer, right-click on the PSA name and select Save... or Save Target As....

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Hear what EPA is doing to help - Federal Emergency Response and Recovery

Major disaster process (:38 secs, 597kb, MP3)

A state receives federal funding following an event such as a hurricane, flood, fire or earthquake by the following process: First, local government responds to the event. If these services are overwhelmed, the state responds with resources like the National Guard. Then, local, state, federal and volunteer agencies conduct a damage assessment to determine recovery needs. The governor may request that the area be declared a major disaster. FEMA then evaluates the request and makes recommendations to the President. Finally, if the President approves the request, the area will receive federal funding and resources for the recovery effort.  

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Phases (:33 secs, 529kb, MP3)

Response to a disaster can be divided into two phases: First response and recovery. During first response, governments and agencies concentrate on performing search and rescue, restoring utilities and ensuring victims have access to food, water, shelter and other basic needs. The long-term recovery phase can place the greatest financial burden on local governments and resources. The governor of an affected state can request federal funding to help the recovery effort, but only if he is willing to commit a certain amount of state funding as well.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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National Response Plan (:30 secs, 484kb, MP3)

The National Response Plan is a comprehensive approach to managing domestic incidents. The plan incorporates procedures from a variety of incident management disciplines. During incidents, it helps the Federal government coordinate its agencies among themselves, and with state, local, and tribal governments as well as the private sector. It establishes protocols for all aspects of incident response, from protecting the public and responders during an incident to facilitating an area’s recovery after the incident.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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EPA's Emergency Response Program (:31 secs, 489kb, MP3)

Part of the National Response Plan establishes the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan, or NCP. Under the NCP, EPA assists the Department of Homeland Security’s response to hazardous materials. The NCP’s primary objectives are to prevent such emergencies; to prepare emergency response personnel for these events; and to respond quickly and decisively to such emergencies anywhere within our national borders.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Regional Emergency Operations Center (:29 secs, 453kb, MP3)

The resources of the Regional Emergency Response Center allow response personnel in our Regional offices to communicate continuously with field workers at the scene of an incident. Emergency team members use the center to address the early phases of an event such as a chemical spill or a natural disaster, while the on-scene coordinators decide whether to establish a field office closer to the incident. The center also provides a quiet place for response personnel to work on the incident without other interruptions.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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EPA’s on-scene coordinators (:35 secs, 556kb, MP3)

The On-Scene Coordinator (OSC) is the EPA employee in charge of monitoring or directing responses to oil spills and hazardous substance releases reported to the federal government. The OSC coordinates federal efforts with local, state and regional response. An OSC is an agent of either EPA or the U.S. Coast Guard, depending on where the incident occurs. EPA OSCs are responsible for spills and releases to inland areas and waters, while U.S. Coast Guard OSCs have responsibility for coastal waters and the Great Lakes.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency — our mission (:40 secs, 626kb, MP3)

Established by President Nixon in 1970, EPA protects human health and the natural environment, conducts research and sets national environmental standards. When these standards are not met, EPA can take steps to help states and Native American tribes reach the desired levels of environmental quality. The Agency also works with industry and other groups on pollution prevention and energy conservation.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Hear what EPA equipment does

ASPECT (:30 secs, 484kb, MP3)

First responders to a disaster need information about chemical leaks. And they need it fast. A partnership between EPA and the Defense Department led to the development of equipment mounted on a small aircraft, allowing responders to collect information about potential chemical leaks from a safe distance. The equipment, called the Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology, or ASPECT, collects data that can be sent immediately to a ground unit, allowing emergency workers at the scene to safely respond to a disaster.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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DataRAM air monitor (:24 secs, 376kb, MP3)

The DataRAM is a portable, battery-powered monitor often used in emergency response situations because it gives immediate readings of particulate matter levels in the air.  The instrument continuously monitors and logs the real-time concentration and median particle size of airborne dust, smoke, mist and fumes.  In addition, the unit displays and records air temperature and humidity.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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South central office (Region 6) dive team (:34 secs, 532kb, MP3)

EPA’s Region 6 formed a dive team from employee volunteers to retrieve materials and conduct sampling in lakes, reservoirs, and coastal areas. The team can dive in contaminated, low-visibility water, and to perform diver rescue.  EPA dive teams provide many services including monitoring, sampling and field investigation, environmental response and criminal and civil enforcement. Having scientists and engineers who are able to work directly in the underwater environment makes Region 6’s emergency response teams more efficient and effective.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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HAWK camera on helicopter (:30 secs, 554kb, MP3)

Following an emergency, EPA uses a helicopter equipped with a high-tech camera to detect chemical spills and leaks. This infrared camera, called HAWK, can detect potentially hazardous chemical releases from a variety of sources. The helicopter equipped with the HAWK camera flies at low levels and speeds. Emergency response personnel also use the HAWK camera for follow-up investigations, in the helicopter or handheld by individual inspectors. The HAWK camera aids EPA's efforts to rapidly identify and address potential environmental threats in disaster areas.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Trace atmospheric gas analyzer (:30 secs, 513kb, MP3)

In response to a disaster, EPA will use a self-contained mobile laboratory to monitor air quality. The mobile unit, named Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer, or TAGA, is capable of real-time sampling and analysis. It can detect chemicals at very low parts-per-billion levels. TAGA also has specialized sampling equipment to use at remote locations and to measure indoor air quality. The TAGA aids EPA's efforts to rapidly identify and address potential environmental threats in disaster areas.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Laboratory (:31 secs, 498kb, MP3)

EPA’s environmental service branch laboratory in Houston is a vital part of emergency response activity. The lab provides timely and accurate scientific analysis to help field personnel make sound decisions about response and recovery actions. Lab personnel support not only EPA’s activities, but also those of local, state, federal and tribal governments in their efforts to recover from disaster. EPA also uses mobile lab units to assess threats closer to the scene of an incident.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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National Decontamination Team (:28 secs, 443kb, MP3)

The national Decontamination Team is part of EPA’s Office of Emergency Management. The team consists of highly specialized and experienced emergency responders, engineers and scientists dedicated to providing immediate technical decontamination expertise at the scene of a chemical, biological or radiological incident. Its state-of-the-art technologies help governments and organizations recover after widespread contamination.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Radiological Emergency Response Team (:23 secs, 360kb, MP3)

The Radiological Emergency Response Team responds to releases of radioactive material, whether at a nuclear power plant, during transportation accidents or because of a deliberate act of terrorism. The team works closely with EPA’s Superfund division, and with local, state and federal government agencies.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Hear what you can do to help

Report hazardous substance releases or oil spills (:30 secs, 476kb, MP3)

If you think you detect a hazardous substance spill or release, immediately call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802. Safe response to hazardous substance releases requires the expertise and training of professionals. It is important to realize that non-professionals who attempt to respond to these incidents may endanger themselves and may become part of the problem. When a hazardous substance release is reported, the federal government begins established procedures for safely investigating and responding to the threat.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Volunteering to help (:30 secs, 473kb, MP3)

The most effective way to help a community’s disaster recovery as a volunteer is to prepare ahead of time. Contact your local Red Cross or other disaster-response organization to receive training so you’ll be ready to help should an emergency occur. Be prepared to be as self-sufficient as possible so as not to place an additional burden on the affected area’s resources. Finally, consider helping not only in the immediate aftermath of an event, but also during the long-term recovery.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. .

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Selling services or supplies (:30 secs, 478kb, MP3)

If you’re a vendor and would like to offer recovery assistance, please contact the EPA Environmental Technology Council, or ETC. The ETC, working with EPA’s Office of Acquisition Management, Research and Development and the Environmental Technology Verification Program, ensures vendors and their programs are routed to the appropriate contact. Please call the ETC representative in Washington, DC, at 202-564-1047.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Wear protective gear (:30 secs, 468kb, MP3) en Español

The use of protective clothing and equipment is essential when cleaning up after a flood. Contaminated water and sludge may contain harmful organisms, chemicals and heavy metals. Gloves are essential. So are goggles that don’t contain air holes. Dust kicked up from sweeping and other activities can release contaminants into the air. It’s advisable to protect yourself from dust by using an N–95 respirator, which costs around six dollars at many hardware stores.

This has been a message from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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