DEP activities memo regarding WTC cleanup coordination, undated

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

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TO: Michael Gilsenan Assistant CShTuTissioner, BEC

FROM: Moustafa Fawzy^/ Director, DERJ^z^

DATE: October 24.2001

RE: Summary of DERTA actions at World Trade Center Attack

On September 11,2001, the Division of Emergency Response and Technical Assessment (DERTA) was notified by the DEP Communication Center of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. First Deputy CRSSSTissioner Chapin placed the notification to DEP Communications and requested DERTA to immediately refund to the location. DERTA’s First Responders conqiriring it’s Hazardous Materials Specialists and support team were 13 ediately dispatched to the location.

Upon arrival both Towers had been attacked and were burning. At the moment of collapse ofthe South Tower, DERTA personnel attempted to escape die impact area. ,During this period members of the Divirion were trapped and misring. However, within 2 hours ofthe collapses^ these employees found their way fiom the underground areas fi*om where they were trapped and resur&ced alerting the Team that they were alive.

At this time, the first response capabilities of the HazMat Specialists and Support members were fixity activated. The DERTA team utilized aU resources available. The Hazardous Materials Mobile Laboratory was dispatched to the location. DERTA members were mobilizing and preparing to conduct an iThThTediate and detailed technical assessment of the areas impacted by the debris produced from die collapse of the Towers. The Divirion conducted this assessment by preparing a representative sarrpling scheme of the areas affected and for those potentially affected by the impact. The Team then performed visual inspections and conducted bulk sampling and air monitoring ofpublic areas. It was established at the onset-of the incident that the debris contained high percentage ofasbestos. As per regulations, the debris was derignated as ACM and recommendations for appropriate actions were made. In addition to performing assessments in public outdoor areas, the Division also conducted vis^ infections and performed air monitoring in the interior ofpublicty owned buildings, including City Hall and it’s surrounding grounds. From September 11 through October all particulate sampling and subsequent analysis was conducted by the Hazardous Materials Laboratory under the direction of DERTA.

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