Alaska Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management

Debris management is constantly in the national and international media.  The debris generated by the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, 2012 Hurricane Sandy, and other recent disasters continue to challenge emergency management officials worldwide.  We can learn a great deal on debris management from past efforts and apply the lessons learned to our situation in Alaska.  Helpful information on several debris-related topics is provided below.  DHS&EM will periodically add new documents or web links to this page so check this section regularly for new items.  Click below to review each document:

• The recent authorization of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 includes several incentives for debris management. The FEMA Fact Sheet, Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 can be found here.
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Government of Japan sent a group of international debris management specialists to Japan to evaluate their disaster debris management process.  Their report entitled Managing post-disaster debris; the Japan Experience, June 2012 can be found here.
• UNEP continues to work in Haiti in the aftermath of their M 7.0 earthquake in January 2010.  Their report entitled Haiti Mission Report 20 January – 19 March, 2010, which includes a section on disaster debris management, can be found here.
• Congressional Research Service, Managing Disaster Debris: Overview of Regulatory Requirements, Agency Roles, and Selected Challenges, January 13, 2011- http://assets.opencrs.com/rpts/RL34576_20110113.pdf.
• Congressional Research Service, - Disaster Debris Removal after Hurricane Katrina: Status and Associated Issues, Updated April 2, 2008
• The Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed Council has prepared a manual entitled Backhaul: A “How To” Guide,” dated October 2008 for removing solid waste from the watershed.  The manual can be downloaded here.
• A report entitled “Planning for Debris Management in New York City” has been prepared by the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation, in New York.  This 2012 report is a good summary of innovative actions that can be taken by large communities to address disaster debris issues after a catastrophic event.

• The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) in Emmitsburg, MD provides two FEMA-certified courses on debris management: 1) an interactive web-based course entitled IS-632a – Introduction to Debris Operations; and 2) a 4-day resident (on campus) course entitled E 202 – Debris Management Planning for State, Tribal and Local Officials.  If accepted for the E 202 course, EMI covers air fare, lodging, and transportation to the campus; students are required to purchase a meal ticket (approximately $125).  If interested in the E 202 course, view the schedule and vacancies list. For help with the application process for EMI courses or other training questions, contact the DHS&EM Training Section at (907) 428-7000.