Abstract |
This is the first annual report detailing emergency management activities in Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Headquarters and Regional Offices. In 2004, the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) was created in Washington D.C. to integrate the functions of the former Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office (CEPPO), the Oil Spill Prevention Program, and the Superfund Emergency Response Program. Under this reorganization, we have embarked on a more integrated approach to all aspects of the chemical and oil safety program - prevention, preparedness and response- and hope to achieve even greater efficiency and effectiveness through these efforts. It has been a busy year with numerous Homeland Security efforts including participation in development of the National Response Plan (NRP) and implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), amendments to the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule, resubmission of Risk Management Plans, introduction of new regulatory approaches for the Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulation, and continuing implementation of priorities under EPA's National Approach to Response. |