Basics of Oil Spill Response
The program has been designed to provide a first level introduction training course that covers eight topics: Properties of Oil Behaviour of Oil Oil Spill Management Response Strategies Response Techniques Spill Response Equipment Surveillance and Monitoring Safety These topics follow the basic material that is covered by the IMO Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Training Course. Order Form

The following is a list of the standard oil spill management training modules (classroom), we also offer customized modules to meet your specific training and operation needs.

Oiled Shorelines and Shoreline Treatment

This course provides a basic grounding on coastal and river processes, shoreline and riverbank character, and the fate and behavior of spilled and stranded oil. Participants are presented with a standardized methodology for the documentation and description of oiled shorelines. The lectures address specific points or issues as they relate to a range of coastal and river environments. Oil spill response and protection/cleanup operations are discussed in the context of the response decision process and the development of practical operational plans and strategies. The course is designed to introduce participants to the issues that are likely to arise in association with shoreline protection and shoreline and riverbank treatment following a spill. Upon completion of the course the participants will know:

the general character of various shoreline and riverbank types and the processes that act on those shorelines and riverbanks; how to evaluate the fate and behavior of stranded oil; how to document and describe oiled shorelines and riverbanks; what factors are important to define nearshore and shoreline response priorities and objectives; operational constraints that may be experienced; and which response techniques are practical and effective for the different shoreline and riverbank types and coastal environments.

Use of Chemical Dispersants at Sea

This training application is designed to provide a basic understanding of the environmental and operational conditions under which the chemical dispersal of spilled oil would likely be safe, efficient and of minimal environmental concern. The physical and chemical properties of commonly used dispersants are addressed within the framework of likely spill scenarios where treated oil could mix effectively and disperse rapidly within the upper 5 to 10 meters of the water column. Representative government regulations and approval criteria are examined in light of current improvements in dispersants, their application, and monitoring programs.

Use of Controlled Burning at Sea

This training module provides an overview of controlled "in-situ" burning as one of several techniques for the elimination of spilled oil at sea. The primary objective of this training application is to provide a thorough review of the tools and techniques for conducting safe and efficient burning operations in offshore, nearshore and inshore environments. A brief summary of prior experiences during experimental and actual burns is provided. This summary is followed by an assessment of the physical, chemical and environmental issues that most influence the feasibility of burning spilled oil under a variety of conditions. An in-depth review of representative burn scenarios is then directed toward blowouts, tanker accidents, pipeline failures, fuel transfer mishaps, and a number of other situations that could involve the deliberate or accidental ignition of oil on water.

Inland Oil Spill Response

This training module describes oil spills on land and inland rivers and lakes. Oil may spread on the surface of the land or penetrate into the soil contaminating ground water and water tables. The pathways and fates of oil for these situations are outlined in words and pictures to assist responders in understanding approaches to response. Methods of containing the spread of oil, removing oil from the environment and treating the oil on site are presented. Oil spilled into rivers can travel long distances and create widespread recreational, commercial and environmental damage unless quickly controlled. Fish, property and parklands may be affected. Methods of tackling spills on rivers are described and illustrated. The module will include information and scenes from recent river spills to provide a case-study perspective. The module also will include cold climate perspectives. Oil trapped under ice floats against the underside of the ice and collects in pockets. These pockets can move with ice and water movement. Methods are presented to remove oil and make use of the ice to capture the oil and prevent movement.

Operation of Oil Spill Equipment

The objective of this course is to provide field managers with a means to train field workers on how to select, use and maintain oil spill clean-up equipment. Particular emphasis is put on how to deal with chronic spills. The first part of the course concentrates on booms - operating principles, classification and application. The second part of the course concentrates on skimmers, reviewing the various types and their applications. The third part of the course addresses auxiliary response equipment, from pumps to vessels to land vehicles. This training module also provides an in-site system for the training of volunteers who may wish to assist in response operations during moderate to large oil spills.

Contingency Planning

An oil spill contingency plan (OSCP) is no longer a simple document with instructions on what to do if an oil spill occurs. An OSCP now is a representation of the corporate responsibility of a company and the respect it shows for its neighboring community. Companies increasingly are required by law to take responsibility for the products they use and distribute. This perspective provides the base upon which this module is built. The mandatory contents of an OSCP are presented with an explanation of the need of these components. Since an OSCP must be supported from the highest echelon in a company, a policy statement must be up front and there must be a clear statement of the purpose and scope of the plan. The module then explains the components and issues involved in pre-emergency planning. These include community and legislative issues. This is followed by outlining the traditional and still necessary measures that must be taken during emergency response. The module emphasizes that in order for a plan to be and to remain effective, it must be supported by an active and sustained training program punctuated with practice drills and exercises. The importance of scheduled plan evaluation and updating completes the module.

Incident Command System

The Incident Command System (ICS) is widely adopted by lead agencies in the United States and Canada and by most major industries as the most effective way of organizing emergency operations during an oil spill response. The objective of this module is to acquaint and instruct all levels of a response team with a consistent command system based on ICS. Each component of a response operation (operations, planning, logistics, and finance) is placed in a context that defines its role and how its role relates to the operation and success of the other components. The module emphasizes that personnel at all levels within an organization understand how they fit into the command system so as to avoid misunderstanding and unwitting criticism of other component operations. Volunteers also should be instructed in ICS so as to better understand the why and how of responses in progress.