Chemical Weapons Storage

Communities near the nation's eight chemical munitions storage sites are unprepared to deal with the accidental release of lethal chemicals despite federal outlays of $187 million since 1988 on an emergency preparedness program. The eight sites are located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Anniston, Alabama; Pueblo, Colorado; Newport, Indiana; Lexington, Kentucky; Aberdeen, Maryland; Umatilla, Oregon; and Tooele, Utah. The lack of progress on the part of the Army and the Federal Emergency Management Agency stems from program weaknesses, such as fragmented authorities and responsibilities, and poor controls over funds, leading to missed program milestones and delays in issuing guidance. The upshot is that local communities lack plans to (1) quickly notify residents of a chemical accident and tell them how to respond; (2) evacuate and shelter-in-place those residents who would be immediately affected by a chemical accident; (3) provide protective equipment to people helping with the evacuation or conducting decontamination; and (4) provide medical treatment for casualties.