Chemical Emergencies:
Preparedness for and Response to Accidental Chemical Air Releases
RCED-86-117BR: Published: Jun 3, 1986. Publicly Released: Aug 25, 1986.
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Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on the efforts of federal, state, and local governments and the chemical industry to prepare for and respond to chemical plant emergencies, focusing on actions taken since the December 1984 chemical accident at Bhopal, India.
GAO found that: (1) there is no federal law requiring communities with chemical plants to develop emergency response plans; (2) under current law, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) carries out a lead role in chemical emergency preparedness activities; (3) EPA chairs a multiagency National Response Team (NRT) that coordinates emergency planning and information dissemination, provides technical assistance to state and local governments, and attempts to identify high-risk geographic areas; and (4) EPA administers the Chemical Emergency Response program, which is developing a list of hazardous chemicals and associated guidance, disseminating it to state and local governments, providing technical training and assistance, and monitoring and revising the list, as necessary. GAO also found that the Federal Emergency Management Agency: (1) is a member of NRT; and (2) has developed guidance documents to help state and local governments develop emergency operations plans. In addition, GAO found that: (1) the Coast Guard, the Department of Transportation, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration all play important roles in NRT; (2) the three states it reviewed all have emergency response plans and require chemical manufacturers to publicize information regarding potential hazards of their operations; and (3) chemical industry associations have also implemented training, information, and emergency response programs, including the Community Awareness and Response program, which is intended to help communities prepare for chemical accidents.
Feb 25, 2021
Airport Worker Screening:
TSA Could Further Strengthen Its Approach to Estimating Costs and Feasibility of Security MeasuresGAO-21-273: Published: Feb 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 25, 2021.
Feb 23, 2021
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Southwest Border Security:
Actions Are Needed to Address the Cost and Readiness Implications of Continued DOD Support to U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionGAO-21-356: Published: Feb 23, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 23, 2021.
Feb 19, 2021
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Countering Violent Extremism:
DHS Needs to Improve Grants Management and Data CollectionGAO-21-216: Published: Feb 1, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 19, 2021.
Feb 12, 2021
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Immigration Detention:
Actions Needed to Improve Planning, Documentation, and Oversight of Detention Facility ContractsGAO-21-149: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 12, 2021.
Feb 3, 2021
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2018 Pacific Island Disasters:
Federal Actions Helped Facilitate the Response, but FEMA Needs to Address Long-Term Recovery ChallengesGAO-21-91: Published: Feb 3, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 3, 2021.
Feb 2, 2021
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Disaster Resilience:
FEMA Should Take Additional Steps to Streamline Hazard Mitigation Grants and Assess Program EffectsGAO-21-140: Published: Feb 2, 2021. Publicly Released: Feb 2, 2021.
Jan 28, 2021
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U.S. Ports of Entry:
Update on CBP Public-Private Partnership ProgramsGAO-21-234R: Published: Jan 28, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 28, 2021.
Jan 25, 2021
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Southwest Border:
DHS and DOJ Have Implemented Expedited Credible Fear Screening Pilot Programs, but Should Ensure Timely Data EntryGAO-21-144: Published: Jan 25, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 25, 2021.
Jan 21, 2021
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Chemical Security:
Overlapping Programs Could Better Collaborate to Share Information and Identify Potential Security GapsGAO-21-12: Published: Jan 21, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 21, 2021.
Jan 19, 2021
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DHS Annual Assessment:
Most Acquisition Programs Are Meeting Goals but Data Provided to Congress Lacks Context Needed For Effective OversightGAO-21-175: Published: Jan 19, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 19, 2021.
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