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OR&R and USCG Sector Buffalo Conduct Oil Spill Response Training in Great Lakes Region
APRIL 12, 2019 — On April 3-5, OR&R’s LT Michael Doig and LT Joshua Valdivia, of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) provided spill response training for USCG Sector Buffalo.
The two-day training included:
- An overview of the Incident Management Software System (IMSS);
- An introduction to Scientific Support at Spills;
- Aerial Observation of Oil;
- An overview of Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA); and
- A refresher on geographic response strategies (GRS) and environmental sensitivity index (ESI) maps.
The first day of training addressed topics that are covered in NOAA’s job aids and guidebooks for spill response such as the FOSC’s Guide to NOAA Scientific Support, Open Water Oil Identification Job Aid for Aerial Observation, Characteristics of Response Strategies: A Guide for Spill Response Planning in Marine Environments, Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps, and the ERMA Basic User’s Guide. These topics were used on day two as the foundation for using ERMA, ESIs, and the Coast Pilot to develop and improve GRSs. GRS data can be found on ERMA and during an oil spill, GRSs provide direction to responders regarding how to protect natural, cultural or significant economic resources at risk of injury. 10 participants from Sector Buffalo attended the class. This training was the second of five classes to be held around the Great Lakes this year.
For further information, contact Michael.E.Doig@noaa.gov.