 The agency exists as a central portal for local authorities and central government, connecting those needing information with those organisations best able to provide it.In general, advice is given by specialist, third-party companies rather than the agency itself.Despite its name, the GDS is keen to point out that, while recovery and re-occupation of buildings and environments after incidents is part of its responsibility, the more immediate concerns of human decontamination is the remit of the Department of Health and the national health services.