Developing and Testing Response Plans for US Coast Guard Facilities and Equipment 

EPA, the Department of Homeland Security, and US Coast Guard (USCG) worked together on the Analysis for Coastal Operational Resiliency (AnCOR) project. It involved field-level demonstrations to train USCG response personnel and test equipment that could be used following a biohazard emergency. CSS first assisted with planning and executing a demonstration of three decontamination technologies on a USCG vessel contaminated with a benign surrogate for anthrax. We wrote and reviewed quality, sampling, air monitoring, and safety plans for the demonstration.  While onsite for the 4-week demonstration, we set up the test bed during all three phases; prepared sampling kits; collected multimedia samples during the tests; shipped samples to the analytical laboratory; and prepared sections of the final report.

In a follow-on AnCOR project, we helped plan and execute a Wide Area Demonstration (WAD) at Ft. A.P. Hill’s Urban Warfare Training Center.  The month-long field demonstration focused on decontaminating USCG-related structures (buildings and docks), materials (ropes, buoys), and hard and soft surfaces (asphalt, concrete, gravel, and vegetation). CSS participated in small workgroups to develop the exercise framework, prepared the Sampling Plan, and coordinated with the data management team. We handled the logistics for the exercise, arranging for decontamination contractors, videographers, office trailers, personal hygiene units, and electrical generators. During the field test we placed senior technical staff onsite to assist with background sampling, surrogate application, pre- and post-decontamination sampling, and two types of decontamination. We placed 65 reference material coupons and supported the collection and shipment of another 700 samples for analysis.

Additional Projects

Cyber Security 

CSS develops and implements security programs that continuously meet rigorous security compliance requirements on behalf of its customers. 

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

We provide site-specific in situ monitoring coupled with predictive modeling, to provide an early warning system to advise health officials and resource managers on how to best focus their efforts to protect health and environment.

Hazard Analysis Support to the Transportation Security Administration

CSS has provided safety and health support, and a variety of other activities in support of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Office of Occupational Safety, Health and Environment (OSHE) programs.

Human Health Risk Assessment

We help advance the understanding of chemical effects on people and the environment.

IT Services

Our IT solutions meet clients’ evolving needs.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

We understand your facility support needs and deliver customized solutions.

Satellite Data Applications

Helping create a more environmentally sustainable, weather-ready, and secure nation through application of earth observation data  

Safety, Health, & Environmental

We provide our clients with tools to protect their workforce, the public, and the environment.

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

We apply science to address challenges affecting the nation’s natural resources.

Emergency Preparedness & Response

We help our clients prepare for and protect the health and environment of communities after disasters and hazmat releases.

Get in touch

Contact us to learn more about our projects, capabilities, solutions, and service offerings.