Army Emergency Management Program - Federation of American ...

should concentrate on temporary containment of contamination (including used decontamination equipment and solutions)
and isolation of contaminated items and areas.
b. Restrictions. Decontamination of equipment, terrain, or facilities contaminated with any hazardous materials
(hazardous substances) identified in AR 200–1, supporting AR 50 series, 40 CFR 300, or the North American
Emergency Response Guide, including contamination due to terrorism incidents, shall not be performed by installation
personnel. The DPW Environmental Office shall coordinate with the appropriate Federal agencies, including, but not
limited to, EPA, to effect decontamination and remediation of equipment or a site contaminated by hazardous materials
(hazardous substances).
19–16. Remediation and retrograde operations
a. Remediation. Restoration begins upon completion of the initial damage assessment process. Remediation is a
highly technical component of the overall restoration effort and consists of a detailed survey for potential contamination
or pollution secondary to the incident and continues until all contamination or pollutants has been removed or
remediated to an acceptable level as determined by competent authorities. The scope and duration of the remediation
depends on the agent or material. Remediation is normally performed by civilian environmental consultant firms under
contract to the Army and/or under the supervision of the EPA, depending on the nature of the incident. Funding for
contract support would be provided through installation operations and maintenance accounts, unless special appropriations
are received.
b. Retrograde movement. Retrograde movement consists of the redeployment of personnel and equipment and
begins as soon as objectives are accomplished or the need for response resources diminishes. Pre-retrograde movement
considerations include a review of the incident and identified and potential hazards to ensure that equipment and
material to be moved are safe for unprotected contact by assigned personnel. If the spill or other release of hazardous
materials (hazardous substances) were involved in the incident, then the safe retrograde and long-term disposition of
equipment with potential or actual residual contamination from one or more hazardous substances requires a thorough
understanding of the associated risks and the minimum time necessary to mitigate those risks. The significant time
requirements for agent weathering must be addressed within retrograde planning. The safety of personnel is a
significant concern during the retrograde of equipment with potential, residual, or low-level contamination. Any
equipment present in the contamination control zones, including downwind hazard areas, should be assumed to possess
residual contamination consistent with the nature of the agent or material used. Given the limitations of decontamination
and detection technology at the installation level, neither process provides confirmation that equipment is safe for
use without proper PPE, to include respiratory protection. As contamination cannot be ruled out, retrograde movement
cannot extend outside the boundaries of the original hot zone without the potential spread of operationally significant
contamination to additional locations. Most equipment will require extensive weathering, or even destruction, to be
safe. Residual contamination risks include potential vapor and contact hazards, which increases as contaminated
equipment is consolidated, maintained, or prepared for shipment, if required.
19–17. Housing recovery
a. Housing recovery planning. The DPW Housing Office is responsible for coordinating and planning for all
housing issues during the recovery phase in support of the RWG. This process and supporting offices shall be
identified in the installation EM plan.
b. Transition from safe havens. The role of the evacuation management team does not end until all personnel are at
their final location, which may be temporary housing, permanent housing, or even a geographically remote designated
place under JFTR. Local safe havens are only capable of providing temporary mass care for up to 5–7 days, as noted in
chapter 12. After 72 hours (or less depending upon the incident and the preparedness of the community), these
temporary safe haven residents are completely dependent upon mass care operations for feeding, emergency supplies,
showers and sanitary facilities, laundry services, and even clothing. Remote safe havens vary significantly and the
associated timeline for transition to temporary or permanent housing will depend upon the capabilities of the receiving
DOD installation. During this period, it is imperative that installations quickly identify temporary housing, both on- and
off-post as well as on nearby DOD installations (if available), in which to relocate safe haven residents. Constant,
honest engagement with safe haven residents on the process and the expected timeline is a key component of the
ongoing EPI process.
c. Temporary housing. Temporary housing is where displaced personnel live from the time they leave a safe haven
or civilian shelter until the time they return to their previous home or a new home. Temporary housing must be in a
livable condition, with sufficient utilities and services, pest-/mold-/mildew-free, and properly prepared (ventilated,
cleaned) prior to occupancy by safe haven residents. Prior to occupancy, personnel need to fully understand the rules,
timeline, and responsibilities concerning the use of such temporary housing, such as the expected occupancy time,
financial responsibilities (utilities, damages, supplies, appliances), general logistics (parking, utilities, supplies, quiet
hours), and expected behavior. Examples of temporary housing include barracks, dormitories, bachelor quarters,
visitors quarters, previously available family housing units, recreational lodging, hotels, rented apartments or homes in
the local economy, mobile homes, or vacation properties. Coordination of temporary housing needs is the responsibility
of the DPW Housing Office in support of the RWG.
190 DA PAM 525–27 20 September 2012