Upcoming Training for Responders

NOV. 26, 2019 — In anticipation of its very busy training schedule in fiscal year 2020, OR&R has announced training classes on various spill-response topics in a number of locations. We encourage spill responders and planners to apply!

A group of people on a pier on a beach.
A Science of Oil Spills class takes a field trip to Dauphin Island during a week-long course in Mobile, Alabama.

Oil Spill Response Training


For those who respond to or plan for oil spills, we are offering our popular Science of Oil Spills (SOS) training on these dates and locations:


  • Key West, Florida, the week of Feb. 10, 2020: Applications for this class will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 13.

  • Mobile, Alabama, the week of March 23, 2020: Applications for this class will be accepted through Friday, Jan. 31.

  • Seattle, Washington, the week of June 22, 2020: The application period for this class will open at a later date.

  • Final class: Northeast region of the country; date to be determined.

Interested applicants should review details about this class on the SOS Classes page and use the SOS Application Form to apply.


Chemical Spill Response Training


In addition, for those who respond to chemical and hazardous materials spills, Science of Chemical Releases (SOCR) training will be offered in two locations this year. The application form for these classes will be opened closer to the trainings.


  • Mobile, Alabama, the week of May 4, 2020

  • Seattle, Washington, the week of August 17, 2020

More detail is provided on the SOCR Classes page. Use the SOCR Application Form when the trainings are opened for registration.


IOSC Short Courses


As in past years, OR&R specialists will be teaching full-day and half-day Short Courses at the International Oil Spill Conference (IOSC) in May 2020. The Short Courses will be on a broad range of response topics, such as boom techniques for fast and slow water, public health issues and spills, facility response plans, dispersants, shoreline cleanup assessment technique (SCAT), and Arctic and cold weather response techniques. 


OR&R specialists will contribute to the following Short Courses:


  • Environmental Unit Leader Training for Managers

  • Basic Oil Forecasting and Modeling

  • Aerial Observation and Surveillance of Oil

  • Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Data Management

The Short Course schedule will be listed on the program page for IOSC 2020. We hope to see you there!



For more information, contact Kimberly.Albins@noaa.gov.

Last updated Tuesday, November 8, 2022 1:45pm PST