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EPA Opens National Emergency Response Office in Las Vegas Several Members Deployed to Texas to Assist with Shuttle Recovery Efforts

Release Date: 2/5/2003
Contact Information: Leo Kay, Press Office, 415/947-4306, Cell#415/760-5420

     SAN FRANCISCO   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a grand opening Thursday, Feb. 6 in Las Vegas for the Environmental Response Team-West, a new office that houses a group of experts who provide around-the-clock, on-scene assistance to address environmental disasters throughout the country.

     Several staff from this office have been deployed to Texas to assist the Federal Emergency Management Agency with recovery efforts from the Space Shuttle tragedy.  EPA emergency responders are conducting environmental monitoring and assisting in the cleanup of hazardous materials.
 
     The ERT-West Team provides immediate access to technical and scientific expertise in monitoring and sampling air, soil and water; assessing and responding to chemical, biological, and radiological threats; on-site identification and analysis of contaminated materials; environmental risk assessments; oil spill cleanups; health and safety protocols, and;  hazardous waste cleanups at extremely complex and sensitive sites.
          WHO:      EPA National Superfund Chief Marianne Horinko
          EPA Regional Administrator Wayne Nastri
          Numerous local, state and federal officials
          WHAT:     ERT-West Grand Opening, Facility Tour
          WHEN:     11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 6, 2003
          WHERE:    4220 South Maryland Parkway, La Plaza D complex, Las Vegas
          VISUALS:  Several EPA Emergency Response vehicles, air monitoring & testing                                     equipment,protective clothing.