JULY 29, 2016--OR&R’s online mapping tool, Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®), was used as the common operational picture for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) marine security activities surrounding the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, July 18-21.

Two NOAA staff were included as part of the USCG’s Incident Management Team at the Incident Command Post (ICP) in Cleveland to provide air and water modeling needs, manage the event’s data in ERMA, and coordinate with multiple agencies also involved with the event. With an expectation of over 15,000 attendees, the USCG provided security and monitored potential situations along the maritime and river areas for the duration of the event. ERMA provided USCG leadership and ICP staff the ability to access near real-time data, such as locations of field teams and AIS-tracked vessels, as well as other agency data such as Department of Homeland Security safety zones, infrastructure status, and protest locations. This allowed them to obtain a complete picture of the USCG’s efforts and potential issues from any location. This request comes on the heels of the strengthened relationship between NOAA and the Great Lakes USCG District from recent oil spill response and planning efforts.

For more information please contact Gregory.Schweitzer@noaa.gov or Jill.Bodnar@noaa.gov.

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