Short Courses

SC102: Shoreline Clean-Up Assessment Technique (SCAT)
Instructors: Drs. Rob Holland, OSRL, Ed Owens, OCC, & Elliott Taylor, Polaris Applied Sciences, Inc.
Length: 8 Hours
Student Cap: 30
Description: A shoreline response usually presents the greatest challenge in terms of management and can potentially be the most expensive part of an oil spill response. As soon as the oil hits the shoreline, the amount of time, effort and resources increases. Shoreline Clean-up Assessment Technique (SCAT) is a well-established systematic approach which is used to document the status of oiled shorelines and their subsequent treatment recommendations (i.e. clean-up methods). This 1-day course will look at the fundamentals needed to implement and be part of a SCAT program, from looking at the character and dynamics of coastal zones and how oil behaves on different shoreline types to managing a shoreline assessment program and developing the most appropriate endpoints. The course will be carried out in the classroom and will provide you with first-hand experience in assessing a shoreline and develop an understanding of the dynamics that control oil behavior and the physical environmental factors that determine clean-up options.

SC103: Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS): Assessing Response Planning and Preparedness
Instructors: Dr. Elliott Taylor, Polaris Applied Sciences, Inc., Miguel Moyano, ARPEL, Dario Miranda, Independent Consultant
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 30
Description: This course will assist participants in the development of skills to implement the use of the RETOSTM tool, its Manual, and the 2023 IMO-IPIECA International Guide for the Assessment of Oil Spill Response Planning and Preparedness in the evaluation of OSR planning and readiness and to identify gaps, information needs, and sources for improvement. The course will be useful to officials, leaders, coordinators, and managers responsible for the strategy, sustained development, and improvements of oil spill preparedness and response plans and programs, from companies and governments alike.

SC104: Overview of the USEPA Spill Prevention Requirements and Inspection Implementation Under 40 CFR Part 112
Instructor: Mark Howard, US-EPA
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 100
Description: The short course will provide an overview of the U.S. EPA SPCC Oil Spill Prevention Rule and an understanding of how the EPA implements the spill prevention program which regulates inland and certain offshore oil facilities. Individuals attending this session will gain a valuable understanding of how to comply with the federal oil spill prevention at their facilities. The course serves to provide guidance to international stakeholders on the US EPA’s approach to inland oil spill prevention and will cover storage tanks and piping; transfer operations; facility diagrams; closure requirements; yearly training; brittle fracture evaluations; integrity testing; security; secondary containment; an overview of the agency inspection process, common problems observed during agency compliance monitoring inspections and recommendations for improvement of oil spill prevention plans

SC105: Fundamentals of Oil Spill Response
Instructor: Tim Wadsworth, ITOPF
Student Cap: 50
Length: 8 Hours
Description: This eight-hour full-day course provides an introduction to the various components of an oil spill response. Attendees will learn about the chemical and physical properties of oil and its behavior when spilled into the marine environment. The course will consider the effects of oil on a variety of environmental and economic resources and how suitable contingency planning and command & control can alleviate potential damage. The various options available for response to oil at sea and on the shoreline will be considered with a discussion of waste disposal options and endpoints for the conclusion of the response. The course will conclude with an introduction to the factors contributing to the recovery of costs. The course will be interactive with attendees taking part in several exercises throughout the day to assist with understanding the topics presented. This course will be taught in accord with the International Maritime Organization’s model course content.

SC108: Basic Oil Spill Forecasting and Modeling
Instructor: Matt Horn, RPS | North America
Length: 4 Hours
Description: This course will introduce the fundamentals of oil spill transport, fate, and effects analyses using computer modeling. Applications include forecasting for spill response, hindcasting, response planning, and risk assessment in marine and inland waters. The session will introduce the basics of oil spill science as it pertains to modeling. It will then provide an overview of modeling use cases, with examples using oil spill models from RPS (previously ASA) and NOAA. We will highlight differences in approach between offshore versus terrestrial modeling, as well as the inclusion of response activities, use in response, drills, spill response planning, environmental risk assessment, and injury (natural resource damage) assessment.

SC111: Aerial Surveillance of Oil Spills
Instructor: Adam Davis, NOAA
Student Cap: 30
Length: 4 Hours
Description: Aerial surveillance is an essential element of an effective response to most oil spills, for assessing the location and extent of oil contamination and verifying predictions of the movement and fate of oil slicks at sea. Observation from the air can provide information to maximize the deployment and control of spill response operations at sea, the strategic and timely protection of sites along threatened coastlines and the management of resources for shoreline clean-up. This half-day, four-hour, short course provides an introduction to planning and conducting an effective aerial surveillance strategy. Guidance is provided on preparing and performing aerial observation missions for each of the three main types of platforms available: manned and unmanned aircraft, and satellites. The presenters of this course from NOAA and ITOPF, together have experience of observing spills of oil on the sea surface over many decades globally, including during the response to many well-known incidents, as passengers in fixed and rotary wing aircraft, as ground observers using unmanned aerial vehicles and by commissioning and interpreting images from a variety of satellites. The knowledge, experience and skills gained from this extensive practical involvement in observing oil will allow course attendees to understand the importance of this tool to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of an oil spill response.

SC114: The EPA Oil Facility Response Program and Regulations Overview
Instructor: Joseph T. Swackhammer, US-EPA
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 30
Description: This course describes the requirements and expectations for Facility Response Plan (FRP) plan holders and will cover: 1) Introduction and purpose of the FRP regulations, including applicability criteria; 2) Plan requirements under §112.20 and Appendices E and F plus the revised PREP guidelines, including the relationship of the FRP to the National Contingency Plan, Area Contingency Plans, and other preparedness activities conducted by USCG and DOT-PHMSA; 3) Steps in implementing an FRP and preparing for an FRP inspection and a government-initiated unannounced exercise (GIUE); and 4) Common problems observed during GIUEs and recommendations for improvement of plans.

S115: Hands On: NOAA Tools for Basic Oil Spill Forecasting and Modeling
Instructors: Christopher Barker, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, Dylan Righi, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, Dalina Thrift-Viveros, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, & Amy MacFadyen, NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 40
Prerequisites: It is assumed that students will have a basic understanding of the physics and chemistry of oil spill behavior and the applications of modeling, such as what is covered in the IOSC 2024 Short Course: Basic Oil Spill Forecasting and Modeling. Students are required to bring a laptop to participate in the hands-on exercises.
Description: This course will cover the practicalities of oil spill fate and transport computer modeling. Participants will get hands-on experience using the NOAA GNOME Suite for Oil Spill Modeling. (https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills/response-tools/gnome-suite-oil-spill-modeling.html) for predicting oil spill fate and transport. The following topics will be covered: - Oil weathering analysis - Oil trajectory modeling - Model parameters that can be adjusted, and what the implications are - Interpreting the results - How to select an appropriate oil record from the database - Accessing maps - Accessing oceanographic and meteorological data from nowcast/forecast models - File formats for input data - File formats for disseminating model results - Handling uncertainty. Although the emphasis of the course will be on the use of the NOAA tools for drills and planning, the fundamental understanding acquired will be applicable to other models and other use-cases.

SC116: Oil Spill Response in River Environments: An All-Season Approach
Instructors: Maria Hartley, Chevron & Ty Farrell, Plains, USCG CWO (Retired)
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 50
Description: Oil spills in rivers pose significant environmental risks, requiring effective response strategies. This short course covers key considerations and strategies for responding to river oil spills, including during winter weather conditions. It is based on the API Swift Water Spill Response Guide and API Winter Weather Response Guide, along with presenting case studies. In swift water environments, oil spills can rapidly spread, making containment and recovery challenging. Response teams use containment booms, absorbents, and specialized equipment to navigate turbulent waters. Techniques like rapid deployment underflow dams and diversionary tactics can guide the oil towards recovery points. Safety, protection, cleanup, and canine use are also important considerations. During winter weather, frozen rivers and lakes present unique challenges. Immediate response involves evaluating ice weight bearing capacity to safely deploy personnel and equipment. Techniques such as creating openings in the ice and using skimmers and other tools are used to recover oil. Innovative methods like under ice water jets may be employed, while advanced remote sensing technologies aid in monitoring the spill's extent and trajectory. Safety considerations, training, specialized equipment, and collaboration among stakeholders are essential for swift water and winter weather response, along with robust contingency plans, regular drills, and sharing best practices to improve preparedness and response capabilities. This short course provides an overview of responding to inland oil spills in swift water and winter weather. It emphasizes the importance of an all-season approach using specialized equipment, innovative techniques, and collaboration to minimize environmental impacts and protect these unique environments.

SC117: Responder Safety: Knowledge and Tools to Keep You and Your Team Safe During an Oil Spill
Instructors: Brian Kovak, USEPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management, Savannah Turner, NOAA, Office of Response and Restoration, & Young Wheeler, U.S. Dept. of Labor, OSHA
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 50
Description: The stressful life of an oil spill responder. What risks do they face, and what can be done to improve safety in the industry? While responding to a spill, workers have to quickly deploy to an unknown area, work long hours for days on end, exposed to elements onshore or possibly at sea. The work can be highly physical and workers face potential hazards from oil byproducts, dispersants, detergents and degreasers. Drowning, heat illness, hypothermia and falls also pose hazards, as can encounters with insects, snakes and other wildlife. Not frequently recognized, some workers may also have unmet mental health and resilience needs compounded by fatigue and back to back incident response.
This course will provide a comprehensive overview of the current and unique hazards oil spill response workers face. Appropriate tools, field safety insight and best practices will be provided through presentations, case studies, group discussion and activities proven to reduce potential physical and/or psychological harm to spill response workers. The course will include: - An introduction to comprehensive risk assessment tools (job hazard analysis and site safety plans); - Recognition and awareness of the driving hazards response workers face and appropriate actions to minimize vehicular incidents while driving in adverse conditions; - Growing need to recognize the impact that increased extreme heat events can have on workers and how to balance heat illness mitigations against PPE requirements; - Recognizing the signs and symptoms of disaster work-related stress and fatigue; and building resilience by understanding stress reduction and coping strategies.

The Following Two Short Courses will be Offered in Spanish

SC109: Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS) – Spanish (Español)
Instructors: Dr. Elliott Taylor, Polaris Applied Sciences, Inc., Miguel Moyano, ARPEL, Dario Miranda, Independent Consultant
Length: 4 Hours
Student Cap: 30
Description: Una respuesta costera generalmente constituye el mayor desafío en términos de gestión y puede ser potencialmente la parte más costosa de una respuesta a un derrame de petróleo. Tan pronto como el petróleo llega a la costa, la cantidad de tiempo, esfuerzo y recursos aumenta. La Técnica de Evaluación de Limpieza de Costas (SCAT) es un enfoque sistemático bien establecido que se utiliza para documentar el estado de las costas con petróleo y las recomendaciones para su tratamiento (es decir, métodos de limpieza). Este curso de 1 día presentará los fundamentos necesarios para implementar y formar parte de un programa SCAT, desde observar el carácter y la dinámica de las zonas costeras y cómo se comporta el petróleo en diferentes tipos de costas hasta administrar un programa de evaluación de costas y definir las metas de limpieza finales más apropiados. El curso se llevará a cabo en el aula y le proporcionará una experiencia de primera mano en la evaluación de una costa y desarrollará una comprensión de la dinámica que controla el comportamiento del petróleo y los factores ambientales físicos que determinan las opciones de limpieza. El curso es a nivel básico y aplicable para aquellas personas que pueden enfrentar un derrame que afecta las zonas costeras y/o en riberas de cuerpos de aguas terrestres.

SC110: Introduccion al Proceso SCAT - Asesoria de Costas/Riberas con Petroleo [Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS) - Spanish (Español)
Instructors: Dr. Elliott Taylor, Polaris Applied Sciences, Inc., Jose M. Rios, Rios Emergency Management Services
Length: 8 Hours
Student Cap: 30
Description: Una respuesta costera generalmente presenta el mayor desafío en términos de gestión y puede ser potencialmente la parte más costosa de una respuesta ante un derrame de petróleo. Tan pronto como el petróleo llega a la costa, aumenta la necesidad de tiempo, esfuerzo y recursos. La Técnica de Evaluación de Limpieza de Costas (SCAT por sus siglas en inglés) es un enfoque sistemático bien establecido que se utiliza para documentar el estado de las costas con petróleo y proporcionar recomendaciones para su limpieza. Este curso de 1 día analizará los fundamentos necesarios para implementar y ser parte de un programa SCAT, desde observar el carácter y la dinámica de las zonas costeras y cómo se comporta el petróleo en diferentes tipos de costas hasta administrar un programa de evaluación de costas, incluyendo establecimiento de las metas operacionales más apropiadas para distintas condiciones. El curso se llevará a cabo en el aula / campo y le proporcionará experiencia de primera mano en la evaluación de una costa. Mediante el curso, desarrollará una comprensión de la dinámica que controla el comportamiento del petróleo y los factores ambientales físicos que determinan las opciones de limpieza.