Strategies & Procedures for Debris Removal

Debris Management Strategy...Part 2

A debris management strategy addresses these broad areas: * Using limited resources efficiently to assess, remove, and dispose of the various types of debris resulting from a disaster. * Coordinating debris operations among all governmental levels and mutual-aid partners. * Developing procedures to ensure that all involved in debris operations work within established parameters.

Debris Management Sites

A suitable DMS has: * Ingress and egress routes that allow for good traffic flow. * Inspection towers that allow close inspection of trucks. * Clearly defined segregation areas. * Clearly identified reduction sites. * Communities establishing a DMS must have a completed baseline environmental study and environmental monitoring plan on hand.

Response Phase

Activation of the Debris Management Plan occurs during the initial response phase when the debris management team assumes responsibility for: * Clearing high-priority roads, critical facilities, and infrastructure. * Opening debris management sites (DMSs) for temporary debris storage and volume reduction. * Addressing legal, environmental, and health issues. Informing residents when debris operations will take place in their neighborhoods. * Documenting costs. * Coordinating and tracking personnel and equipment. * Using force account labor and contractors for debris removal.

Debris Collection Techniques

Because of the various debris types and different handling requirements, debris operations professionals have developed techniques for collecting, handling, and disposing of debris. Debris collection options include: * Separating debris by type. * Recyclable materials * Household hazardous waste * Using curbsides as temporary debris holding areas. * Designating collection centers.

Collection Centers

Collection centers provide a temporary location for residents to bring their debris. Collection centers are typically located on a large public tract. Large roll-off bins may be placed on the site for residents to bring their debris. This method is well suited for rural and suburban areas where curbside collection is not feasible.

Curbside Collection

Curbside is the legal public right-of-way. Curbside collection parallels normal garbage and trash collection operations, and may be designated for either mixed debris or source-segregated collection.

DMS Closure

DMS closure is an important portion of the debris mission. All operations must be completed and the site cleared and cleaned of all debris before closing the site. Current environmental data on soil and water should be compared to baseline data taken before the site was activated. Generally, all sites must be restored to their prior condition.

Debris Management Strategy

Debris Management Plans are developed to establish the jurisdiction's debris management strategy, which is part of overall emergency planning.

Types of Debris

Debris comes in many shapes and sizes, and varies based on the source. The mix of debris will affect the type of equipment that is most efficient for debris removal and disposal. Using the wrong equipment to remove debris can extend the timeframe for debris clearance and dramatically increase the cost of debris operations.

Debris Estimating Procedures

Debris estimates are normally included in the disaster Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA). Debris located on public and private property is recorded separately by PDA inspectors.

Debris Management Sites (DMSs)

Debris management sites (DMSs) are temporary locations where debris can be hauled and segregated for recycling or reduction. Recycling may take place onsite, or may be picked up by a recycling firm.

Disasters and Debris

Debris may be a consequence of any type of disaster—natural or human-caused. The six major debris-generating disasters are caused by natural hazards: * Hurricanes * Floods * Fires * Tornadoes * Ice storms * Earthquakes

Curbside Collection....Part 2

Debris may be moved from the roadways to the curb soon after the disaster occurs. These curbside piles may become the dumping places for debris coming from private residences as cleanup begins. It's critical that public notice is given so residents are aware of the specific types of debris eligible for curbside collection.

Debris Reduction and Recycling

Debris reduction and recycling have financial and environmental advantages. Reduction and recycling can decrease the overall cost of debris operations by reducing the amount of material taken to a landfill.

Collecting Debris...Part 2

Despite public concern, debris-removal personnel need to follow established procedures to ensure that debris is collected: * As quickly as possible. * As efficiently and cost effectively as possible. * As safely as possible.

Debris Forecasting

Forecasting the type and quantity of debris to expect from a disaster event is an effective planning strategy. Debris forecasts enable the local debris management staff to plan: * Response and recovery resources. * Number and size of debris storage and reduction sites. * Final disposition of disaster-related debris. Techniques and methods for forecasting are continually being developed and refined. A realistic debris forecast may be generated by studying the impact of previous disaster events.

Special Collection Needs: HHW and White Goods

Hazardous materials, including household hazardous waste (HHW) and white goods are two common types of debris that need special handling. HHW should be separated at the curbside or taken to a specific disposal site. HHW mixed with other debris types will contaminate the entire load, and quickly escalate the overall cost of debris disposal.

Debris Management Site Selection

Identifying potential sites before a major natural disaster expedites activation of the debris removal operation. Site selection is based on the following criteria: * Ownership * Size * Location * Environmental and historic preservation concerns A current listing of potential sites should be maintained in the Debris Management Plan.

Collecting Debris

Immediately following a disaster, debris removal is a high priority. Delays in debris clearance will cause impatience on the part of the public and less confidence in the overall disaster response.

Debris Management Plan (1 of 3)

Implementation of the debris management strategy results in a Debris Management Plan which describes: * The types of disasters most likely to occur. * The degree of damage likely to occur. * The type and quantity of equipment and personnel available within the jurisdiction for debris operations. * Other sources of equipment and personnel available outside the jurisdiction. These sources include private contractors.

Debris Management Sites (DMSs)...Part 3

In a small disaster, a community with available landfills or where debris is not easily reduced or recycled might not need to establish a DMS.

Recycling Operations

Large-scale recycling operations are very effective following hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes.

Mixed Debris Versus Source-Segregated Collection

Mixed debris collection allows residents to place all debris types at a specified collection area. Mixed debris collection is more convenient for citizens but it: * Prolongs recycling and reduction efforts. * Increases operational costs.

Disasters and Debris...Part 2

Most disasters result in a mix of debris, but the characteristics and severity of the disaster influence the types and magnitude of debris generated.

Debris Movement

Moving debris is a large part of debris management. Haphazard processing from pickup sites to final disposal increases the removal timeframe and drives up costs. In some cases, pickup and disposition of animal carcasses or medical waste can cause health hazards. Experienced debris managers have developed a system for organizing and processing debris.

Debris Management Plan (3 of 3)

Other elements covered in the debris management plan are: * Plans for removing debris from private property that poses an immediate threat to the public-at-large. * Processes addressed include condemnation and hazardous materials removal procedures. * Public information considerations, including identification of the Public Information Officer, public service announcements (PSAs) for each type of disaster anticipated, and a strategy for distribution to the media. Some or all of these considerations may be included in the jurisdiction's emergency operations plan (EOP). If that is the case, the EOP may be incorporated by reference in the Debris Management Plan.

Recovery Phase

Recovery activities include: * Removal of debris from rights-of-way and public property. * Hauling debris to debris management sites. * Recycling/reduction of debris. * Hauling nonrecyclable debris to permanent landfills. * Completing final disposal or other designated use of all debris. * Closing DMS or other collection sites.

Debris Management Sites (DMSs)...Part 2

Reduction, especially of woody debris, usually occurs at a DMS. Reduced debris can be used for other purposes. For example, mulch can be provided to the public. Otherwise, the debris is hauled to a landfill or final disposition location.

Mixed Debris Versus Source-Segregated Collection...Part 2

Source-segregated collection requires citizens to separate debris by material type. Source segregation: * Is an efficient process for materials that can be recycled or reduced. * Increases salvage value. * Reduces labor cost. The main disadvantage to source-segregated collection is that it requires more trucks, thus increasing equipment costs

Debris Management Plan (2 of 3)

The Debris Management Plan should also include: * Staff safety, training, and exercising provisions. * The forecasted amount of debris for each type of disaster and the locations where the debris is most likely. * Debris collection methods identifying priorities, response operations, and recovery operations. * Debris management sites, including locations for sorting, recycling, reducing, and disposal of the anticipated types of debris. * Contracted services, including the services to be outsourced and the process for emergency contracting.

Debris Estimating Procedures...Part 3

The different types of debris and special considerations for its removal and management make it difficult to estimate the amount of debris to be removed. Formulas are used to estimate cubic yards of debris to be removed. Using aerial photographs, in combination with ground measurements, double-checks estimates and helps determine if there are any voids in the middle of large debris piles.

Debris Estimating Procedures...Part 2

The initial debris assessment should: * Estimate the quantity and mix of debris. * Determine its impact on critical facilities. * Identify its impact on residential and commercial areas.

Recycling Operations...Part 2

The materials listed below should be recycled whenever possible. * Metals: Crushed and shredded house trailers, appliances, and other metal products can be prepared for recycling using metal maulers and shredders. * Construction Materials: Concrete, asphalt, and masonry products may be crushed for base material in road construction. * Plastics and Glass: Plastics may be shredded, bailed, and palletized. Glass may be melted and reused. * Soil: Soil, combined with decomposed organic materials, may be recycled for agricultural use or fill material. * Vegetative Debris: Ground debris may be composted for mulch.

Debris Reduction and Recycling...Part 2

The primary methods of volume reduction are: * Incineration, reducing vegetative debris up to 95 percent. * Chipping and grinding, reducing vegetative debris up to 75 percent. Recycling vegetative debris for homeowner and agricultural purposes or fuel for industrial heating is one advantage of chipping and grinding.

DMS Closure...Part 2

The steps involved include confirmation that the: * Debris operations are complete. * Site is cleared and cleaned of all debris. * Final environmental sampling is obtained. * Site is restored to prior condition. * Property owner is satisfied (if leased property).

Debris Operational Phases

There are two major phases to debris operations: The response phase occurs during and immediately after an event, to clear emergency access routes, eliminate immediate threats to life and property, restore essential services, and facilitate damage assessments, especially damage to critical facilities. The recovery phase deals with major debris removal and disposal operations. It involves moving debris to temporary storage sites for volume reduction, or to landfills for permanent disposal. Both phases require careful planning. It is recommended that all debris removal planning be included in a local Debris Management Plan.

Collection Centers...Part 2

Using collection centers is more efficient for segregating debris types but requires proper planning and staffing. After segregating debris at the collection center, it should be taken directly to either a debris management site or a landfill site.

Special Collection Needs: HHW and White Goods...Part 2

White goods containing refrigerants and other regulated machine fluids need to be disposed of at a certified recycling center. Many communities host special "round-up" collections during the year to allow residents to dispose of these items safely and legally. Several collections should be conducted following a disaster event to avoid commingling HHW with other types of debris.