EPA Response to September 11 | Region 2

Captain Sven E. Rodenbeck

Captain Sven E. Rodenbeck is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS). Since September 1987, he has been stationed at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) performing various technical and managerial assignments. He is currently the Deputy Branch Chief in the Superfund Site Assessment Branch, Division of Health Assessment and Consultation. In addition, Captain Rodenbeck is the Chief of Staff for the PHS Chief Engineer. Captain Rodenbeck was one of the principal authors of the ATSDR Medical Waste Tracking Act Report on the public health implications of medical waste and more than 80 Public Health Assessments for hazardous waste sites. Recently, he was the Team Leader for the ATSDR response to the World Trade Center incident.

Captain Rodenbeck obtained his PHS commission in 1979 and served initially with the Indian Health Service from 1979 to 1981. Following his assignment with the Indian Health Service, Captain Rodenbeck was assigned to the Environmental Protection Branch for the National Institutes of Health from 1981 to 1987. He received his B.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Central Florida (1978), a M.S. degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Maryland (1983), and a Doctor of Science degree in Environmental Health from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine (1997). Captain Rodenbeck is a registered professional engineer in the states of Florida and Maryland and is a Diplomate of Environmental Engineering.

In addition to the ATSDR Medical Waste Tracking Act Report and Public Health Assessments, Captain Rodenbeck has authored or coauthored numerous peer-reviewed publications. He has received many PHS awards for outstanding service including the Surgeon General=s Exemplary Service Medal. Various professional associations have also recognized CAPT Rodenbeck’s achievements, including the Society of American Military Engineers’ (SAME)—Hollis Medal, the Commissioned Officers Association of the U.S. Public Health Service—John C. Villforth Leadership Award, and the National Society of Professional Engineers—PHS Engineer of the Year for 1997.

Captain Rodenbeck's involvement with professional organizations includes being a National Director for SAME, the chairperson for the Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee, Engineer Professional Advisory Committee, PHS, and recent past Trustee for the American Academy of Environmental Engineers. He is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Water Environment Federation, the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (Life Member), the Professional Association of the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, and the Military.