OR&R Conducts Spill Response Training in Michigan
JUNE 24, 2019 — On June 10-11 and 13-14, 2019, OR&R’s LT Michael Doig and LT Joshua Valdivia, of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) provided spill response training for USCG MSU (Marine Safety Unit) Duluth and Sector Lake Michigan.
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. A refresher on geographic response strategies (GRS) and environmental sensitivity index (ESI) maps, GRSs provide direction to responders regarding how to protect natural, cultural or significant economic resources at risk of injury. 10 participants from MSU Duluth and 10 from Sector Lake Michigan attended the training. This training was the third and fourth of five classes to be held around the Great Lakes this year.
For further information, contact Michael.E.Doig@noaa.gov.