DISASTER DEBRIS COLLECTION SITES

The amount of debris generated from a disaster varies from situation to situation. Furthermore,
because a priority of disaster debris removal is the elimination of related threats to public health and
safety, Environmental Health professionals are involved. The best advice for any community is to have a
disaster debris management plan in place before an emergency happens. This enables the community
to identify options for collecting, recycling, and disposing of disaster debris. One planning option is the
establishment of disaster debris collection sites. These sites would most likely be established if the local
solid waste management facility is overwhelmed, curb side pickup is unpractical, and/or to make debris
cleanup easier for the community after the disaster.

Before the onset of the disaster, debris collection sites need to be identified / determined. Site planning
must be done by an interagency team comprised of a multi-disciplinary staff, including Environmental
Health professionals, who are familiar with the area. Temporary debris collection sites should be readily
accessible by recovery equipment and should not require extensive preparation or coordination for use.
They open after the local traffic has been restored. Collection sites, when feasible, should be located on
public property to facilitate the implementation of the mission and mitigate against any potential
liability requirements.

Not only must site selection be determined, but also the disaster debris collection site’s operational plan
must be determined. This planning will greatly depend upon the type of disaster, the quantity and type
of debris amassed. Another consideration is that the collection site’s activation will normally be under
the control of the Director of Public Works, and will be coordinated with other recovery efforts through
the emergency operations center. A resource list of all local and regional contractors who can assist
with debris management must be developed in the planning phase.

Of special note to the Environmental Health professional is that each temporary debris collection site
will eventually be emptied of all material and be restored to its previous condition and use. Before
activities begin, ground and aerial photos will be taken, important features such as structures, fences,
culverts, and landscaping will be noted.  Random soil samples will be taken as well as water samples
from existing wells.  The site will be checked for volatile organic compounds. After activities begin,
constant monitoring of air quality and soil and water samples will take place.  Photo, maps, and sketches
of the site will be updated and fuel spills will be noted. At close-out, final testing of soil, water, and air
quality needs to be done and the results of those tests compared to original conditions.

A sample disaster debris collection site operational plan is shown on the back of this sheet. No one plan
will fit all recovery situations. The sample disaster debris collection site plan would need to be modified
to meet the needs of the local community setting and disaster’s debris aftermath.
SAMPLE DISASTER DEBRIS COLLECTION SITE PLAN