The exercise was designed to evaluate the capabilities and effectiveness of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Federal On-Scene Coordinator, the Area Committee, Maryland National Capitol Region, and local and industry partners to carry out their collective responsibilities, as outlined within the Area Contingency Plan and local response plans. The exercise provided the response community an opportunity to improve preparedness by validating information and procedures within the contingency plans, identifying weaknesses and strengths, and practicing command and control within an Incident Command/Unified Command framework.

The exercise scenario involved a train derailment on a bridge that spans the Susquehanna River in Maryland, resulting in two rail cars burning their cargo and several cars falling into the river, releasing 320,000 gallons of oil.  Impacts included floating oil throughout the river and into Chesapeake Bay, oiled shorelines, oiled wildlife, a navigational closure, and air quality concerns due to the smoke and oil fumes. 

NOAA was represented in the exercise by two divisions of the Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R): the Emergency Response Division and the Assessment and Restoration Division, including its Spatial Data Branch. In addition, NOAA’s Office of General Counsel and Public Affairs participated in the PREP exercise.

OR&R scientists and data managers provided information on shoreline assessment, clean-up methods, and resources at risk; initiated a Natural Resource Damage Assessment; and for purposes of the exercise, coordinated the Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) as the Common Operating Picture for the Coast Guard.

For further information, contact Frank.Csulak@noaa.gov.

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