The Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP) is a partnership between FEMA and the U.S. Department of the Army that provides emergency preparedness assistance and resources to communities surrounding the Army’s chemical warfare agent stockpiles.
CSEPP’s mission is to “enhance existing local, installation, tribal, state and federal capabilities to protect the health and safety of the public, work force and environment from the effects of a chemical accident or incident involving the U.S. Army chemical stockpile.”
CSEPP protects people who live and work near installations with chemical stockpiles in the unlikely event of a chemical accident or incident. The Army is fulfilling its mission to eliminate aging chemical munitions and warfare materials in accordance with international treaties and national policy. To date, chemical stockpiles have been destroyed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.; the Newport Chemical Depot, Ind.; Pine Bluff Arsenal, Ark.; the Anniston Army Depot, Ala., Umatilla Army Depot, Ore. and the Deseret Chemical Depot, Utah. A stockpile on Johnston Atoll, an island in the Pacific Ocean, was also completely destroyed in 2000. CSEPP will remain in place until all stockpiles are completely destroyed.
Where Are These Stockpiles Located?
The two remaining stockpiles are secured at the Blue Grass, KY. and Pueblo, CO., U.S. Army installations. Each community provides its residents important emergency preparedness information. The chemical stockpiles at the Edgewood Area of Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, the Pine Bluff Aresnal in Arkansas and the Newport Chemical Depot in Indiana were completely destroyed. In 2000, a stockpile on Johnston Atoll, an island in the Pacific Ocean, was also completely destroyed.
Exercise Schedule
CSEPP communities are required to conduct annual exercises to test community preparedness. These exercises are evaluated by teams of federal, state and local personnel. The 2012-13 exercise schedule is:
Blue Grass, Ky. September 18, 2012
Pueblo, Colo. May 8, 2013
CSEPP Partners
FEMA works closely with the U.S. Army, state, local and tribal emergency management agencies, public health, environmental, fire, rescue and law enforcement professionals, medical providers and elected officials to provide emergency preparedness assistance in CSEPP communities. Program components include emergency planning, training, public outreach and education, exercises, medical preparedness and response, public alert and notification and communications. Additional information can be found on the CSEPP Portal.
