NOAA Plays Major Role During USCG Sector North Carolina Preparedness for Response Exercise Program
On September 10, 2014, the U.S. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, in conjunction with PCS Phosphate conducted one-day Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Industry Led Full-Scale Exercise.
The exercise, “Protecting the Pamlico”, was a full-scale, industry led, multi-agency exercise on the Pamlico River near Aurora, North Carolina. The exercise was designed to evaluate the capabilities and effectiveness of the federal, local, and industry partners to carry out their collective responsibilities, as outlined within the:
- NC Area Contingency Plan (ACP)/Geographic Response Plan (GRP);
- PCS Phosphate’s Spill Management Plan; and
- State of North Carolina’s Emergency Operations Plan
On Tuesday, September 9, the day prior to the exercise, Frank Csulak, NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) participated in the 201 Operations Brief conducted at the PCS Phosphate facility. The primary goal of the exercise was the development and completion of an Incident Action Plan. The exercise required responders in the Incident Command Post to perform those actions usually associated with a major spill.
Spill Scenario
The spill scenario associated with the exercise consisted of a tank barge breaking free from the tug boat and grounding just outside PCS Phosphate’s barge slip at approximately 4:00 am on September 10. Upon the barge grounding, it released 11,000 barrels of Number 6 fuel oil.
NOAA Involvement
During the planning and design phase of the exercise, USCG D5 requested NOAA to prepare a spill trajectory based on canned weather. Jeff Lankford, Emergency Response Division (ERD) prepared the spill trajectory model. Mr. Lankford prepared a series of charts depicting changes in the spill trajectory over the course of the exercise, ADIOS, and canned weather to support the scenario. The spill trajectory charts were extremely useful to both the USCG and PCS Phosphate with implementing the USCG’s GRP and directing PCS Phosphate’s spill control resources, including the actual deployment of 3,000 feet of boom, several on-water skimmer vessels and land-based vacuum trucks.
In serving the FOSC, the NOAA SSC was actively engaged with developing strategies and tactics to control the spill, containment, and recovery; identifying and prioritizing protection strategies and tactics using the GRP. Since completing the GRP, this was the first time that components of the GRP were employed. The NOAA SSC also had a lead role with external communications with USFWS, NMFS, the State of North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Historic Preservation Officer, and Tri-State Bird and Rescue. In addition, the NOAA SSC actively participated in a mock Press Conference and preparing a press release.
Scott Kennedy, a meteorologist from the NWS, Newport, N.C and Katherine Krushinski, Training and Communication Coordinator, NOAA Disaster Response Center also supported the PREP Exercise. Mr. Kennedy and Ms. Krushinski oversaw the Environmental Unit where they responded to several injects as the scenario developed. They were also very effective in coordinating Environmental Unit tasks, such as resources at risk, best management practices and coordinating with the Planning and Operation Sections.
Overall, the PREP exercise was a success in that both the USCG and PCS Phosphate were able to meet their operational and administrative requirements, it provided the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to work within the ICS, and protect the environment. The exercise allowed NOAA’s Emergency Response Division to strengthen its working relationship with both USCG District 5 and Sector North Carolina. This exercise provided an opportunity for ERD to demonstrate its capabilities, especially to CAPT Sean Murtagh, who is the new COTP for Sector North Carolina.
For additional information, please contact Frank.Csulak@noaa.gov
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