Helping communities manage chemical risks

The Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT) from the Department of Homeland Security was created to identify facilities that have a high level of risk. The first step is simply to Register for the process, after that comes Top Screen. Top Screen is a series of questions to determine if your facility should be regulated by the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS). When the Top Screen results are returned it will indicate risk level and appropriate responsibilities. High risk facilities should continue on and utilize the Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA) tool, and the Site Security Plan (SSP) template.

The National Institute for Chemical Studies (NICS) was founded in 1985 with the goal of making our communities safer from the potential risk that may inherently exist in the chemical industry, whether the chemical is manufactured, stored, transported or disposed. We have successfully accomplished this goal thru research, education, training and outreach. Today, with the potential threats of terrorism, we are concentrating a lot of our efforts in making the environment safer again from a potential terrorist attack. Our knowledge base from the safety aspect has now grown to address the security aspect thru research and in-depth analysis of many different factors. Since our basic mode of operation remains independent and unbiased, our past experiences in providing objective, third-party review and analysis of the documents prepared by lawmakers, regulators and military officials are adding significant value in the current environment of vulnerability to terrorism.

Over the years, we have developed both simple and complex models

• to explain worst-case scenarios in the chemical industry (related to vulnerability to exposure in nearby communities and the risks associated with them);
• to provide protective action for responders in chemical emergency;
• to protect the public in hazardous materials emergency;
• to analyze the impact of chemical manufacturing/storage/transportation/disposal on the health of nearby residents;
• to become the leading organization providing comprehensive information on shelter-in-place to minimize the exposure of the threatened public;
• to assist LEPC's in using the RMP tool to improve community safety and promote hazard reduction.

All these activities and many others like these have laid the foundation at NICS to provide new and improved services in today's world of vulnerability against terrorism, where the primary target is humanity. NICS wants to make sure that we can do everything possible to make sure all our sites are secured in this country not only just today, but also for the long term.

Please call (800) 611-2296 x828 to discuss your specific needs.