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Emergency Response Research

EPA's emergency response and homeland security research provides science and technology needed to effectively respond to and recover from disasters. Natural and man-made disasters, whether intentional or unintentional, can result in contamination that threatens human health, the environment, and our economy. Communities must be resilient to avoid such catastrophes. Resilience requires scientific information to support good decisions.

Read about EPA's research on COVID-19 in the environment.

Upcoming Research Webinar

Remediating Premise Plumbing Following a Water Emergency or Disaster

August 10, 2022, from 2 - 3 PM ET

Read more and register to attend.

Research Areas

Water treatment plant
  • Water Security 
  • Environmental Sampling & Analysis
  • Contaminant Fate, Transport & Exposure
  • Cleanup & Remediation
  • Waste Management
  • Oil Spills
  • Wildfires

Outreach

Image of drinking water worksho,p
  • Engagement Opportunities
  • ​Emergency Response Research Webinar Series
  • International Decontamination Research & Development Conference
  • Technical Support to States and Territories
  • Meet Our Researchers
  • All Research Events

Models, Tools & Applications

man at computer
  • Environmental Sampling and Analytical Methods (ESAM)
  • Environmental Resilience Tools Wizard
  • Water Infrastructure Modeling Tools
  • Decontamination and Waste Management Decision Support Tools
  • Search More Science Models and Research Tools


Publications 

  • Technical Briefs
  • All Emergency Response & Homeland Security Publications
  • EPA's Science Inventory

Key Links

  • 2019-2022 Strategic Research Action Plan
  • Milestones and Accomplishments
  • All EPA Research
  • Office of Research and Development

  • EPA's Role in Emergency Response
  • EPA's Role in Homeland Security 

Join Our Mailing List

Get notified of emergency response research webinars and events

Featured Stories

  • Virtual Reality Software to Prepare Responders for Sampling in a Hazardous Environment
  • Determining the Best Ways to Clean Up Fentanyl Contaminated Surfaces
  • Expanding Wide-Area Decontamination Research to Ships and Coastal Areas
  • Preparing Drinking Water Utilities for Natural Disasters

Notice

Due to the complexity of some tables and graphics, some of our products are not amenable to a screen reader. If you have trouble accessing any of our information contact Amelia McCall (mccall.amelia@epa.gov) and alternative accommodations will be made.
Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.
Last updated on July 29, 2022
United States Environmental Protection Agency

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