CSS scientists supporting the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Scientific and Technical Assistance for Consequence Management (STACM) contract are experienced in EPA’s emergency response efforts, both natural and manmade. To help EPA staff prepare for these emergency response efforts, CSS staff provide yearly response training. The training includes review of respiratory protection equipment, operation checks, a review of Level C, B, and A personal protective equipment (PPE). The various levels of PPE required for hazard response personnel provide increasing protection based on the hazardous material personnel are addressing. Level D provides minimum protect required using equipment such as gloves, coveralls, safety glasses, face shields, and chemical-resistant steel-toed shoes. Level A provides the highest level of protection for when the greatest hazard potential exists.
This equipment includes positive pressure, full face-piece self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); totally encapsulated chemical- and vapor-protective suit; inner and outer chemical-resistant gloves; and disposable protective suit, gloves, and boots. During the training, CSS staff have EPA personnel with the opportunity to try on and test the Level A PPE to try and complete some dexterity tasks, which adds some fun and entertainment to the training.
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High Resolution Land Cover Maps Now Available
NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management has released higher resolution land cover maps for Alabama, Mississippi, Northeast Ohio, Rhode Island, and the Puget Sound in Washington. These 1 meter data—previously only available in 30 meter—provide more detail communities need to map and understand their landscapes and features, including tree canopy, wetlands, impervious surface and several other categories. This additional detail will help inform decisions regarding stormwater management, flood mitigation, wetland restoration, and more. CSS employee owners—subcontracted through Lynker Technologies—contributed to the release of this…
Engaging in New and Emergent Satellite Technologies
CSS employee owners (formerly Riverside employees) support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service’s (NESDIS) Center for Satellite Applications and Research (STAR). STAR is the science arm of NESDIS, which acquires and manages the nation’s environmental satellites for NOAA. Satellite observations are critical to informing situational awareness and…
Examining Cetaceans for Contamination and Pathogens
CSS has employee owners who are experts in monitoring cetacean health. Several CSS scientists supporting NOAA’s Centers for Coastal Ocean Science have recently conducted research and tests on marine mammals to explore uncommon behaviors and causes for strandings. View some examples of this research below. Microplastics are becoming increasingly abundant in coastal and marine environments.…