State and Federal Agencies ARB ARB’s Office of Emergency Response (OER) directs and executes ARB’s support of local air districts, local public health and environmental health departments, and other agencies during air quality emergency events. The group also coordinates with local, State, and federal agencies on statewide training and preparation for major air releases. OER develops and maintains internal response protocols within the fundamental framework of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and its formal ICS, making response actions and procedures congruent with regional, state, and national response actions. A thorough overview of ARB’s capabilities and response procedures is provided as Appendix C of the ARB/CAPCOA July 2013 Project Plan for this study. Preparedness and Response Programs OER is prepared to respond to many types of intentional or unintentional air release incidents and natural disasters. Trained field staff generates data about air quality impacts, including chemical identity and concentration, potential exposure scenarios, geographic dispersion, and toxicological analysis of air concentrations. Field assets generate ambient concentration data for particulates and a range of toxic industrial compounds. Together, these assets support IC decisions for protective actions, including evacuation, shelter-in-place, and re-entry. These assessments also form the basis of emergency public health advisories. During non-emergency times, OER participates in regular planning, preparedness, and systems assessment efforts. Stationary and Deployable Equipment OER uses both stationary and portable air quality measurement equipment. This equipment provides air contamination assessments and forecasts either remotely or on-scene, depending on circumstances and need. The equipment is always maintained in a condition of active preparedness. Staff also has the responsibility of investigating means, methods, and techniques to meet OERs mission more effectively. OER uses data from existing stationary air monitoring networks when available and deploys portable monitoring equipment in regions lacking these resources. See Table E-1 for a list of OERs deployable equipment.
State and Federal Agencies ARB ARB’s Office of Emergency Response (OER) directs and executes ARB’s support of local air districts, local public health and environmental health departments, and other agencies during air quality emergency events. The group also coordinates with local, State, and federal agencies on statewide training and preparation for major air releases. OER develops and maintains internal response protocols within the fundamental framework of the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) and its formal ICS, making response actions and procedures congruent with regional, state, and national response actions. A thorough overview of ARB’s capabilities and response procedures is provided as Appendix C of the ARB/CAPCOA July 2013 Project Plan for this study. Preparedness and Response Programs OER is prepared to respond to many types of intentional or unintentional air release incidents and natural disasters. Trained field staff generates data about air quality impacts, including chemical identity and concentration, potential exposure scenarios, geographic dispersion, and toxicological analysis of air concentrations. Field assets generate ambient concentration data for particulates and a range of toxic industrial compounds. Together, these assets support IC decisions for protective actions, including evacuation, shelter-in-place, and re-entry. These assessments also form the basis of emergency public health advisories. During non-emergency times, OER participates in regular planning, preparedness, and systems assessment efforts. Stationary and Deployable Equipment OER uses both stationary and portable air quality measurement equipment. This equipment provides air contamination assessments and forecasts either remotely or on-scene, depending on circumstances and need. The equipment is always maintained in a condition of active preparedness. Staff also has the responsibility of investigating means, methods, and techniques to meet OERs mission more effectively. OER uses data from existing stationary air monitoring networks when available and deploys portable monitoring equipment in regions lacking these resources. See Table E-1 for a list of OERs deployable equipment.
o1stakeholderreview_12_4_14.docx