Caribbean Regional Response Team

1. Caribbean Regional Response Team RRT Co-Chairs: Eric Mosher, EPA CAPT Mark O’Malley, USCG

2. 2004 Accomplishments/Lessons Learned • BVI MOU –Signed in August 2004! • Gathering/reformatting plans, protocols and guidance into current Word/PDF formats • Meeting PPTs posted on the CRRT website • NRP Training, December ’04 Mtg

3. Challenges/Next Steps • Develop joint USCG/EPA trustee notification guidance • Develop pre-approval protocols for use of Surface Washing Agents, and testing of Shoreline Cleaners • Conduct ERA workshop for Puerto Rico

4. Best Practices Use of the Selection Guide for Alternative Technologies Training (May 2004 Meeting: Solidifiers) • Results in Familiarity • Identifies areas in need of updating • Input to create digital job aid • Develop CRRT-specific Volume II

5. Dan Meer, EPA Region 9 CAPT Paula Carroll, USCG D-14 ORRT Co-Chairs

6. 2004 Accomplishments M/V AJMAN-2

7. Hilo “Burrito” Removal 2004 Accomplishments

8. Challenges/Next Steps • ORCP alignment with new NRP in 2005 • Oil leaking from sunken World War II vessels • DoS participation at ORRT level for internationalemergency response issues in Pacific Ocean arena

9. Best Practices • Assistance to SPREP with response planning/technical assistance for Pacific island nations • Streamlining process for requesting USN services in support of oil pollution mitigation and salvage

10. Regional Response Team 6 Ragan Broyles RRT Co-Chair, EPA Capt. Ronald W. Branch RRT Co-Chair, USCG

11. 2004 Accomplishments / Lessons Learned • Revision / Approval of RRT By-Laws • Hurricane Responses • Obtaining PREP credit for Sector Mobile’s response to hurricane IVAN • Approval of Near Shore Dispersant Expedited Approval Process • Macdona Train Derailment

12. Challenges / Next Steps • Natural Disaster Funding Under the NRP • Revision to RICP; coordination with E-Plan • Closer Coordination with State Homeland Security Offices / RISC • Notification (States, # of notifications) • Louisiana CARERS Program • Railroad Notification / Coordination Issues • RRT redefinition of Industry Work Group (IWG) Role & Responsibilities; RRT outreach to State / local / others

13. Best Practices • RRT / LEPC Webpage Development www.epa.gov/region6/rrt, www.epa.gov/region6/lepc • LEPC Newsletter for RRT information • Hotzone / LEPC Conferences • Emergency Response Reviews • One Gulf Plan (ACP) • EPA / OSC Webpage • Approval for use of “PES-51” surface washing agent for TORM MARY (Port Arthur) and IEVOLI SPLENDOR (Houston) responses

14. Regional Response Team 4 Shane Hitchcock, EPA RRT Co-Chair

15. 2004 Accomplishments/Lessons Learned • G8 Pre-deployment • Hurricane Season 2004 • Bio-Labs Warehouse Fire • Graniteville Derailment • ICS/UC Concepts critical in large incidents • Monitoring/Sampling Data Management • Outreach to Returning Evacuees • Value of an Agency Response Support Corps

16. Challenges/Next Steps • Inland Rivers Umbrella Plan • CERCLA Funding for State Participation • Keeping RRT Viable with Fewer Meetings • NIMS Education/Outreach to Locals • Improve State Health Agency, DoD, etc., Participation in the RRT

17. Best Practices • Forge and Maintain a Unified Command in a Common ICP • Utilize Information and Data Management Systems for Large Incidents

18. Regional Response Team IX Dan Meer, EPA Region 9 Capt. Bill Fels, USCG D-11 RRT-IX Co-Chairs

19. 2004 Accomplishments • CA SONS 04 – RRT Role in SONS Planning & Play (NIC and ICPs) • Dispersant Use First-Strike Capability w/in 4 hours / CA Coast • Regional Contingency Plan Revision & NRP/NIMS Training • Inland Geographic Response Plans • Pacific Coast MEXUS JRT

20. Challenges/Next Steps • Align RCP, ACPs and other regional plans with NRP/NIMS • ER Planning and Preparedness is a full-time job – Will the funding and support be there for the long-haul? • EPA/CG could be National leaders in All-Hazards Contingency Planning • Partner with DHS and ODP to address readiness issues at federal, state and local levels

21. Best Practices • RRT-IX Dispersant Use Plan and Policy is based upon stakeholder buy-in and NEBA activities • RRT-IX direct support of Coastal and Inland Zone Responses at ICPs adds value • Area Contingency Plans are being streamlined and are more useful as geographic response guides in first 48 hours of an incident

22. Regional Response Team 10 Chris Field and Capt Chip Boothe RRT Co-Chairs

23. 2004 Accomplishments/Lessons Learned • Development of “top down” strategic planning process • Revisions to NWACP to incorporate principles outlined in the NRP and NIMS and further expansion of information on weapons of mass destruction response • Development of new policy on staffing Information Officer and Liaison Officer positions • Commissioned three new workgroups; Outreach and Public Communications, Logistics, and Wildlife • Working to improve relationship between RRT 10 States and Corps of Engineers

24. Challenges/Next Steps • Implement of recommendations from Oil Spill Early Action Task Force • Increase public participation and understanding in planning, preparedness, and response to oil spills • Update Geographic Response Plans • Complete Environmental Risk Assessment process for Strait of Juan de Fuca and incorporation of outcomes into NWACP • Increase coordination of ICS training/qualification programs among member agencies and explore development of a multi-agency Incident Management Team • Resolve long-standing issues between EPA and NPFC related to use of OSTLF

25. Best Practices • Continue to enhance efforts to involve public in planning, preparedness, and response • Creation of position in JIC to coordinate individual agency web site content • Development of consistent, pre-agreed upon media messages for first hours of a response