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Basic Information
EPA’s Homeland Security programs and activities extend across multiple program offices and Regions. EPA's Office of Homeland Security (OHS) coordinates the Agency's implementation of homeland security taskings and provides leadership in the development of cross-cutting policies and initiatives.
OHS developed the Homeland Security Portal to serve as a gateway for federal, state, tribal, and local governments; emergency management officials; and the public to obtain information about EPA’s homeland security responsibilities, activities, capabilities, and contacts. The portal also serves as a gateway to other homeland security-related resources.
Read more about EPA's Homeland Security Programs and
the Laws, Regulations & Mandates that direct EPA's homeland security efforts.
- Homeland Security and EPA's Strategic Plan
- EPA Roles and Responsibilities
- About the Homeland Security Portal
History of Homeland Security at EPA
For over 35 years, EPA has been responding to oil and chemical spills and natural disasters. EPA’s long-standing competencies in these areas—emergency response, hazardous material cleanup, water quality protection, air quality monitoring, and radiation detection—provide the Agency with a base of expertise and capabilities necessary to address today’s homeland security challenges.
Since 2001, EPA has responded to several major disasters and nationally significant incidents, including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the anthrax terrorist incidents, the Columbia Shuttle disaster and recovery efforts, the ricin incident on Capitol Hill, and the Gulf Coast hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In light of recent EPA Homeland Security Presidential Directives (HSPD), the government-wide National Response Framework, EPA continues to enhance its preparedness stance.