THE NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONSE EXERCISE PROGRAM (PREP) A PAPER TIGER OR DYNAMIC PROCESS?

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 969-972
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Program ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Hazardous Substance ◽  
Worst Case ◽  
Continuous Growth ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
National Preparedness ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program has been in effect for over a decade. There is no doubt that it has been a principal factor in moving the response community from the concept of developing incident management from scratch, to unified performance through organized teams. However, in the past couple of years the PREP approach has reached a certain level and stalled. When one goes to exercise design meetings throughout the country and commonly hear, “we are not ready to deal with this issue,” one must wonder why plans cannot or will not be fully tested after a decade of experience. Is the program working to the degree that is necessary and achievable? For continuous growth of the response community's level of competency in the Incident Command System and oil/hazardous substance response operations, a dynamic exercise program must exist. It is pertinent to ask?Has the National PREP Program reached status quo, and if so are we willing to change in order to improve?What is gained by testing the initial 24-hour period of the response over and over?Do core components of a plan tested during smaller exercises satisfy the effort that would be required for the Worst Case Discharge event?What works best, self-evaluation or independent evaluation?Is agency verification of exercises being done?Are unresolved issues and lessons learned documented, studied, and resolved before the next training or spill?Are lessons learned shared between companies for incorporation into plans?Do either the national or state modified PREP programs promote increased capability of oil spill removal organizations and spill management teams at local, regional, and national levels?Is the true availability of response resources tested through PREP? This paper will compare and contrast the National PREP program conducted by Federal Agencies, to the State of Washington's modified PREP program. The authors will answer these questions and provide recommendations for changes to PREP that will create a more dynamic and meaningful training program.

LESSONS LEARNED, BEST PRACTICES, AND COMMON SENSE FROM U.S. GOVERNMENT-LED NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONSE EXERCISE PROGRAM (PREP) DRILLS

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 (1) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
Dennis Cashman
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Common Sense ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
And Control ◽  
National Preparedness ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT Professionals who design or participate in oil and hazardous material exercises would benefit from knowing historical lessons learned and best practices relative to the design and execution of exercises before they begin to develop or participate in similar exercises. In accordance with the “National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines” the staff at the USCG National Strike Force Coordination Center in Elizabeth City, NC has been in the business of designing, executing, and evaluating U.S. government-led PREP drills since 1993 and have accumulated abundant lessons learned and best practices relative to large scale exercises that would be beneficial to share with the response community. PREP exercises typically require six months to plan and design, three days to execute the drill with up to 300 participants, and three days to draft lessons learned. This paper will focus on lessons learned, problem areas, best practices, work arounds, and common sense pertaining to numerous subjects during the life cycle of designing and executing an exercise such as: Initial Design Phase; Functions of a Joint Design Team; Pre exercise Training; Play and Control Spaces; Communications; Incident Command System; Funding; Logistics; Notifications; Objectives; Public Affairs; and Improvements to Area Contingency Plans.

Designing, Executing, and Evaluating a U.S. Government-Led National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Drill

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 597-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Cashman ◽  
Jackie Stephens ◽  
LT Thomas Boyles
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Program ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Initial Contact ◽  
Contact Phase ◽  
Production Phase ◽  
Execution Phase ◽  
Planning Cycle ◽  
Phase Coordination ◽  
National Preparedness ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT Planning, designing, and executing an area exercise in accordance with the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Guidelines is an extensive time and resource undertaking. Since it's inception in 1991, the National Strike Force Coordination Center (NSFCC) has designed, updated and tested a successful exercise development process. This overview of the process outlines requirements necessary to manage a coordinated exercise development, execution, and follow up lessons learned. The process follows a 24-week cycle depending upon the needs of the organizations being exercised. The NSFCC must adhere to and follow the planning cycle because: at least three other government-led exercises are undergoing development at any given time; adequate time is needed for the Joint Design Team to plan effectively and provide the required data to the NSFCC; members of the Area Committee need time to accomplish their own exercise preparation processes; and time is needed to produce the exercise manuals and arrange logistics for personnel and equipment. The cycle is broken into six phases: the Initial Contact Phase, Coordination & Initial Production Phase, Interim Production Phase, Final Production Phase, Exercise Execution Phase, and Report Development Phase (Figure 1).

Oil Spill Management—The Brazoria County, Texas Approach

1999 ◽  
Vol 1999 (1) ◽  
pp. 913-914
Author(s):  
Jimmy A. Salinas
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Protective Measures ◽  
The Public ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Active Responding ◽  
Protection Strategies ◽  
Amount Of Knowledge ◽  
National Preparedness ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT Brazoria County, Texas has established a partnership of government, industry, and the public to ensure that management of spills in this county considers the local expertise, resources, and concerns when developing protection strategies and implementing spill response plans. In 1990 the Mega Borg oil spill, which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico, was initially projected to impact Brazoria County beaches and wetlands. In response to this threat the Brazoria County Judge, who is the Local On-Scene Coordinator (LOSC) for the county during emergencies, convened a meeting of the local emergency planning committee (LEPC) and the county's emergency management office. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the spill threat and determine what action, if any, could be taken. The Judge also called on various county officials, industry specialists, local federal trustees, and local environmentalists to participate. The meeting resulted in the establishment of an Oil Spill Subcommittee (OSS) to the LEPC. This subcommittee worked quickly to develop a protection plan should the oil spill threat become a reality. Specific protection priorities for the county's coastal areas was developed and included a contingency of county and industry responders who were prepared to initiate protective measures if required. The County Judge delivered the county's plan, concerns, and support to the Unified Incident Command (UIC) in Galveston, Texas. Since its inception the OSS has been active responding to spill threats, and participating in area wide National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) Exercises in the county. The uniqueness of the OSS is that it draws expertise from different stake holders in the county and melds a local partnership that brings a vast amount of knowledge, experience, and resources in a unified effort. The Brazoria County OSS continues to improve its organization and stands ready to assist spill management when an incident threatens Brazoria County.

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONSE EXERCISE PROGRAM1

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 543-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Michael Kurgan ◽  
Karen Laney
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
Oil Pollution ◽  
Community Response ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Management Service ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Unified Command ◽  
National Preparedness ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) was developed to meet the intent of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). PREP is a unified federal effort and incorporates the exercise requirements of the Coast Guard; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), Office of Pipeline Safety; and the Minerals Management Service. (MMS). Each year 20 PREP area exercises are held: six led by the federal government and 14 led by the industry. Five of the six government-led exercises are conducted in coastal areas where the Coast Guard is designated as the federal on-scene coordinator (FOSC). One is held in an inland region where the EPA is the FOSC. Each government-led pollution simulation typically involves more than 40 agencies and more than 400 participants. The PREP simulations focus on a geographical community response to a pollution incident with a unified command structure. The unified command is supported by the four basic elements of an incident command system: planning, operations, logistics, and finance. Area PREP exercises create realistic situations focusing on specific objectives. Emphasis is placed on the realism and decision-making process throughout the entire 30 weeks it takes to prepare an exercise. The National Strike Force Coordination Center collects data from critiques and other aspects of the exercise to help create and develop a standard for exercise evaluation. Data collected and lessons learned at each exercise are disseminated throughout the oil spill industry.

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONSE EXERCISE PROGRAM (PREP): IMPROVING AREA CONTINGENCY PLANS1

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-14
Author(s):  
W. Michael Kurgan ◽  
Dennis Cashman
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spills ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Specific Objective ◽  
Contingency Plans ◽  
Houston Area ◽  
National Preparedness ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT The primary goal of the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) is the enhancement of the overall preparedness of the nation to respond to oil spills. A specific objective of the program is improvement of area contingency plans (ACPs). This paper assesses whether the PREP program and its impact through the evaluation process has resulted in improvements to ACPs. Six 1995 government-led area exercise evaluation reports were analyzed. Each report was produced by a report development team with representation from the industry and state, local, and federal governments. Additionally, the Incident Specific Preparedness Review report of the response to the Houston area San Jacinto River oil spill in October 1994 was reviewed. Conclusions based on the analysis of these reports are as follows: PREP area exercises have been effective in providing substantial feedback to AC? holders by identifying numerous areas for improvement; PREP area exercises have been effective in making changes to ACPs; and PREP area exercises are effective in producing an evaluation report rich in observations, lessons learned, and recommended actions that are shared worldwide through the Internet in the PREP Lessons Learned System.

Not your typical “historian”

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 523-533
Author(s):  
Adrienne Lefevre ◽  
Madison Walter-Garcia ◽  
Kimberly Hanson ◽  
Julia Smith-Easley
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Health Community ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Purpose In the incident command system (ICS) structure, response documentation is formally found within the planning section. However, longer term emergency responses have demonstrated the need for a flexible and innovative role that encompasses a variety of activities, including response documentation, communications science, real-time evaluation of major themes, and information management. The paper aims to discuss this issue. Design/methodology/approach This need can be universally met through the functional role of “Historian,” a term specific to ICS, or in the case of public health response, incident management system (IMS). It should be noted that the Historian role discussed is not related to the academic study of history, but to archiving key successes and challenges during a response. Ideally the Historian should be activated at the start of an emergency response and remain active to capture the overall picture of the response, including internal information, such as lessons learned, response activities, and decision-making processes. Findings The Historian compiles details of response activities that inform leadership, donors and external communications products while alleviating pressures on the planning section. The primary, minimum output of an IMS Historian is a response timeline, which notes major internal and external events during a response with emphasis on major themes, lessons learned, and creating a user-friendly interface to display this information (see the list “Abbreviated Example of Hurricane Matthew Response Timeline” in the text). Originality/value In a world with competing priorities and ongoing emergencies, the Historian’s role of archiving details of response efforts can help the international public health community to share lessons learned and contribute to lower morbidity and mortality among those affected by emergencies.

ICS CONTRIBUTES TO THE NORTH CAPE OIL SPILL RESPONSE1

1997 ◽  
Vol 1997 (1) ◽  
pp. 737-742
Author(s):  
LT Tina M. Burke ◽  
LT John P. Flynn
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Management System ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
The North ◽  
Oil Spill Response

ABSTRACT In recent years, the usefulness of the incident command system (ICS) has received much attention. Much of the oil industry and several government agencies involved in all types of emergency response have been using ICS for many years. In addition, the U.S. Coast Guard formally adopted the national interagency incident management system (NIIMS) ICS as the response management system of choice in February of 1996. The response to the tank barge North Cape grounding was a complex multiagency effort that brought with it many of the issues and problems responders face when dealing with crisis situations. This paper describes the ICS-based organization that was established to respond to the major North Cape oil spill, analyzes the organization compared to standard ICS, and discusses how the ICS framework and principles contributed to the success of the response. It also explains how closer conformity to standard ICS could have remedied many of the issues that later surfaced as lessons learned, resulting in improved response efficiency. The North Cape response provides a vivid example of how ICS is a helpful management tool that, if rigorously learned and applied in a widespread fashion, can greatly enhance the nation's oil spill response posture.

Taking a Step Back. Exercises as Training Opportunities.

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 (1) ◽  
pp. 1055-1058
Author(s):  
Joseph Gleason
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
The United States ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Response Team ◽  
Personnel Turnover ◽  
Oil Spill Response ◽  
Response Exercise

ABSTRACT Historically, many response exercises conducted by the United States Coast Guard and other oil spill response stakeholders have been conducted as functional or full-scale exercises. With the increased demands placed on many U.S. agencies as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11’ 2001, there is a greater need than ever to ensure that time spent in training and exercises produces positive and tangible results for the participants. In preparation for the joint US/Canadian response exercise, CANUSLANT 2002, the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards decided to take a step back and look at the lessons learned from previous exercises. Based on this review, the Joint Response Team (JRT) decided to focus CANUSLANT 2002 as a training opportunity and to work on the lessons learned that were repeatedly identified in earlier CANUSLANT exercises. Perhaps the most common exercise conducted in oil spill response is the functional “command post” exercise where exercise participants are assigned to ICS (Incident Command System) staff elements. Participants then respond to an exercise scenario and prescripted injects that are provided to drive participant actions. With personnel turnover, transfers, and increased operational demands, many exercise participants struggle through the crisis phase of an incident scenario and never have the opportunity to learn what it is they are supposed to be doing. When all is said and done, many exercise participants are often simply go home happy that the exercise is over and done with. The goal for CANUSLANT 2002 was to produce an exercise where the participants accomplished something tangible; that long pending issues would be discussed and perhaps even resolved. The Exercise Design Team hoped that the participants walked away from the exercise saying that it was time well spent and not simply thankful that the exercise was over. This paper outlines the factors that led to the success of the CANUSLANT 2002 cross border response exercise. This paper also highlights some of the fundamentals for varying your approach to exercises to achieve tangible results while providing personnel the skills and training required to respond in the event of a real disaster.

Disaster Management and Response Strategy in Urban Public Safety of the U.S.A

2011 ◽  
Vol 467-469 ◽  
pp. 7-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mao Sheng Ye ◽  
Qin Xian Jin ◽  
Yu Tian Wang
Keyword(s):  
Disaster Response ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Incident Management ◽  
Industrial Accidents ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
National Incident Management System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Urban Public Safety ◽  
National Preparedness

This presentation is intended to provide response managers and others with an understanding of national preparedness and response system that is in place to address emergencies involving industrial accidents, natural disasters, public health and social securities. This paper describes a list of important competencies that have been identified and used for effective disaster response and the management and response procedures of a typical incident in USA, taking 2008 flood in Illinois as an instance. Using the concept of National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS), Incident Management Teams (IMTs) were trained and established in Illinois. These organizations were deployed into various positions so as to assist the governmental organizations at different levels in planning, commanding, decision making, etc.

Santa Monica Bay Prep 94: MAJOR SPILL EXERCISE PLANNING/EXECUTION1

1995 ◽  
Vol 1995 (1) ◽  
pp. 1031-1032
Author(s):  
Kara M. Satra
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Incident Command System ◽  
Incident Command ◽  
The People ◽  
Santa Monica Bay ◽  
Santa Monica ◽  
Response Exercise ◽  
Responsible Party

ABSTRACT The largest simulated response conducted under the most realistic conditions since the grounding of the Exxon Valdez has been captured on video. It shows the production and execution of the Preparedness for Response Exercise Program oil spill exercise held in September 1994 in Santa Monica Bay. The exercise involved over 500 people from more than 60 organizations. Chevron played the role of responsible party in this simulation of a spill of about 10,000 barrels of crude oil. The video focuses on the incident command system and the people for whom prevention and preparedness is a daily business.

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