Back to top

Preparing for a Rapid Response to Major Offshore Oil Spills: A Workshop on Research Needs to Protect the Health and Well-being of Communities

AUGUST 11, 2017--On August 2 - 3, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – Gulf Research Program – sponsored a public workshop in Washington, D.C. to explore research needs and other opportunities for improving public health response and protection before, during and after oil spills.

Man standing in front of National Academies of Sciences banner.
John Tarpley, OR&R Emergency Response Division.

John Tarpley, Regional Operations Branch Chief from OR&R ERD was invited to be a keynote speaker addressing the scientific aspects of this topic. The workshop convened individuals from government and industry responders, government and academic public/community health officials and researchers, and non-profit organizations. Participants had broad expertise, including public health research and practice, oil and gas operations, oil spill preparedness and response, environmental health and surveillance systems, disaster recovery and resilience, disaster research, risk assessment and communication, public policy and practice. 

Major objectives and discussion during the workshop focused on:

  • Examining how marine oil spills impact the health and well-being of communities, including (1) the physical, mental, and behavioral health effects; (2) pollution concerns, such as emergency fishery closure and seafood safety; (3) economic losses and compensation issues experienced by those dependent on coastal resources, such as fisheries and tourism; and (4) social disruption;
  • Discussing research and practice opportunities needed to improve stakeholder alignment and commitment to community health and well-being in response;
  • Strategies for improved Communication between oil spill practitioners, public health, and disaster research communities and leaders from communities impacted by oil spills;
  • Avenues for citizen engagement;
  • Discussing research and practice opportunities would improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of data-informed decision making before and during response;
  • And, discussing how the NAS Gulf Research Program and other units of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine can support these efforts in the future.

The workshop included more than 60 participants, in person and virtually. From OR&R, Dave Westerholm, Scott Lundgren, John Tarpley, Ed Levine and JD Hoyle were in person. The workshop was recorded and can be viewed at this link: https://livestream.com/accounts/7036396/events/7622394 .

For further information, contact John.Tarpley@noaa.gov.

Return to OR&R Weekly.

Last updated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 1:51pm PST