Short Courses

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Oil Spill Dispersant Deep Dive

Length: 8 hours
Lead Instructor: Timothy Steffek, American Petroleum Institute Sr Policy Advisor, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Co-Instructors: Representatives from OSRL, IPEICA, MSRC, NOAA, USCG, Shell, and EPA who will bring governmental, Industry, academia and private industry consultants with expertise in Operational, regulatory, planning, research and science-based aspects of oil spill dispersants that will provide decision making and application knowledge

Course Description:
This 8-hour short course provides a comprehensive overview of oil spill dispersant considerations across the full lifecycle of preparedness and response. Participants will gain a practical understanding of what dispersants are, how they work, and the operational, environmental, and regulatory considerations that influence when their use may be appropriate.

The course examines current industry practices and evolving regulatory frameworks, dispersant planning and approval processes, and the science that supports every step. Topics include common misconceptions related to dispersant effectiveness, environmental impacts, dispersibility, and the operational window of opportunity, application methods, oil plume monitoring technologies, and stockpiling requirements. The course also incorporates international perspectives and lessons learned from industry organizations such as Oil Spill Response Limited (OSRL) and IPIECA, highlighting differences in regulatory frameworks, preparedness models, and operational practices around the world.

Through practical examples, case studies, and scenario-based discussions, participants will develop a stronger understanding of dispersant readiness, regulatory compliance, and the decision-making processes that support potential dispersant use during oil spill incidents.

The course will also review and examine the results of multi-year Consensus Ecological Risk Assessment (CERA) workshops, including related decision-support approaches (Net Environmental Benefit Analysis and Spill Impact Mitigation Assessment) conducted to evaluate dispersant use tradeoffs. Participants will explore the recommendations and findings from these workshops, including key considerations for balancing environmental risks and benefits. In addition, the course will examine potential benefits of dispersant use, environmental tradeoffs, operational and environmental cautions, common misconceptions, and recent research relevant to dispersant effectiveness, fate, effects, and decision making.

Wildlife Operations and Rehabilitation

Length: 8 hours
Lead Instructor: Barbara Callahan, Senior Director of Response and Preparedness Services International Bird Rescue
Co-Instructors: Representatives from Tri-State Bird Rescue and US Fish & Wildlife Service and the CA Oiled Wildlife Care Network

Course Description:
This 8-hour short course provides a comprehensive and practical overview of oiled wildlife response and rehabilitation within the broader context of oil spill preparedness and response operations. Participants will explore the history and evolution of oiled wildlife response, including lessons learned from significant spill incidents around the world that have shaped current response practices, planning frameworks, and animal care standards.

In addition, the course provides an overview of worldwide wildlife response capabilities, specialized response assets, and preparedness programs maintained by industry, government, and non-governmental organizations. Participants will learn how wildlife response plans are developed, the importance of pre-spill planning and stakeholder engagement, and how global response networks support the rapid mobilization of trained personnel, equipment, and facilities during an incident.

The practical component of the course focuses on responder safety, appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), wildlife handling considerations, stabilization principles, and fundamental rehabilitation techniques used to support safe and effective operations. Scenario-based discussions and hands-on exercises will allow participants to apply key concepts within realistic spill response environments and better understand the challenges associated with wildlife rescue and rehabilitation operations.

Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Surveillance for Oil Spill Response

Length: 8 hours
Lead Instructor: Adam Davis, NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator Office of Response & Restoration, Emergency Response Division
Co-Instructors: Representatives from ITOPF, NOAA, RPI, and the USCG

Course Description:
This 8-hour course will focus on the growing role of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) in oil spill response and demonstrates how UAS technology can provide timely and detailed information to support response operations. Topics include mission planning, sensor selection, flight operations, data collection and processing, imagery interpretation, spill characterization, and the integration of aerial surveillance information into incident management processes. Participants will also examine how UAS data can be used to support tactical decisions, resource deployment, environmental protection efforts, and operational priorities during spill response.

A key feature of the course is a series of realistic scenario-based exercises. Participants will review UAS-acquired data and supporting operational information while working through spill scenarios. Acting as members of a response team, participants will be challenged to evaluate conditions, identify priorities, and make tactical response decisions based on the information available at the time.

Through facilitated discussions and exercises, participants will gain experience using UAS surveillance products in a manner that closely reflects real-world response operations. By the end of the course, attendees will have a better understanding of how UAS and other aerial monitoring tools can improve situational awareness, support informed decision-making, and enhance the overall effectiveness of oil spill response efforts.

Responder Safety; Knowledge and Tools to Keep You and Your Team Safe During an Oil Spill

Length: 4 hours
Lead Instructors: Victoria Broje (Shell); Savannah Turner (NOAA)
Co-Instructors: TBD

Course Description:
This 4-hour short course provides practical guidance on protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of emergency responders. Participants will learn about the physical, mental, and environmental factors that can affect performance during a response, including stress, fatigue, conflict, cultural differences, substance abuse concerns, and workplace hazards. The course focuses on simple, effective actions that help create a safe, respectful, and productive response environment.

A major part of the course focuses on mental health before, during, and after an incident. Participants will learn how to recognize common stressors and early signs of stress in themselves and others. The session provides practical tools to help manage pressure, stay focused, and build resilience during challenging situations. Topics include positive mindset techniques, the use of key words and mental cues to reinforce constructive behaviors, communication skills that help reduce tension, and methods for supporting coworkers during demanding operations. Participants will also discuss ways to recover after a response and maintain long-term wellbeing.

The course includes interactive discussions, real-world examples, role-playing activities, and team-building exercises that participants can use both on the job and in their personal lives. These activities are designed to strengthen communication, trust, problem-solving, and teamwork. By the end of the session, participants will have an understanding of the practical tools than can be used to manage stress, support others, build stronger teams, and contribute to safer and more effective emergency response operations.

Information Management/Common Operating Picture (COP)

Length: 4 hours
Lead Instructor: Jay Coady, NOAA Spatial Data Branch Director
Co-instructors: TBD

Course Description:
This 4-hour course will provide an overview of information management and common operating picture platforms that are useful and even critical for providing and maintaining situational awareness throughout oil spill response. Participants will gain an understanding of processes and tools that can be used to get the right information to the right person at the right time and how a well implemented information management plan plays a major role in successful response. Examples covered will include NOAA's Response Link, NOAA's ERMA, the USCG's PRATUS and E Plan being used by many States as well as a variety of information platforms and processes that play a role for State Federal and industry organizations in the US to facilitate planning preparedness and response. The course will emphasize the importance of management and coordination of all the various information sources being used for both internal (ICS, Situation Unit and external (JIC/social media, etc.) information support, data sharing agreements and techniques to prevent information overload while providing the critical information support to enhance response scope, priorities, and progress tracking.

Basic Oil Spill Forecasting and Modeling

Length: 4 hours
Lead Instructor: Chris Barker (NOAA)
Co-instructors: Matthew Horn, Ph.D. (TetraTech); Deborah French McCay, Ph.D. (TetraTech); Amy MacFadyen, Ph.D. (NOAA); Dylan Righi (NOAA); Dalina Thrift-Viveros (NOAA).

Course Description:
This 4-hour 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 TetraTech 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.

The Art and Science of Oil Spill Modeling will be covered to address why one can't properly use models without a basic understanding of what goes on out in the field, and the basic physics and chemistry that models are trying to simulate, and what the intent of a given modeling exercise is.

At the end of the class, the participants will:

• Understand which questions models can help answer.
• Have an appreciation for the limitations of models and uncertainties in the results.
• Know what data (or other model results) are needed to drive a spill model.
• Know which input data model results are most sensitive to.
• Understand the most important physical, chemical, and biological processes that are modeled.
• Be able to think critically about which models are applicable to what questions.
• Be able to assess how good the answers need to be for a given application.

Use of the Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS™)

Length: 4 hours
Lead Instructors: Elliott Taylor & Miguel Moyano, Polaris Applied Sciences & ARPEL and DM Consultancy

Course Description:
This 4-hour course will equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to use the Arpel RETOS™ tool, its Manual, and the 2023 IMO–Ipieca–Arpel International Guide for the Assessment of Oil Spill Response Planning and Preparedness to evaluate oil spill response planning and readiness, identify gaps and information needs, and determine opportunities and sources for improvement.

The Readiness Evaluation Tool for Oil Spills (RETOS™), its Manual, and the 2023 International Guide form an integrated toolkit that was updated during 2022–2023 to provide the oil spill response community with current tools and references for assessing and continuously improving oil spill response planning and preparedness programs. The toolkit was developed with the support of regional and international experts from industry and governments to assist organizations in assessing their level of oil spill response planning and readiness management against commonly agreed, pre-established criteria and internationally recognized Best Management Practices.

RETOS™—now available as a web-based application—is a unique management tool used worldwide by government authorities and oil industry and transportation organizations in more than 115 countries to assess gaps in their oil spill response programs at different levels. The tool provides guidance on opportunities for improvement and on the resources needed to address identified gaps. The free online application offers assessment modules covering a range of oil spill response scopes, including National, Port, Facility, and Operations (e.g., pipelines, vessel fleets, and other operations).

The course follows the IMO model course for RETOS™ and is intended for officials, leaders, coordinators, and managers responsible for the strategic development, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of oil spill preparedness and response plans and programs, in both government and industry. Participants should have access to a pertinent Contingency Plan (facility, operations, National, or other applicable plan) to be evaluated during the course and access to a computer (laptop or tablet) for the facilitated session.

Agenda

• Introductions
• Course Objectives
• Background and Development of Assessment Tools
• Practical Work Session
• Discussion & Conclusion

Uso de la Herramienta de Evaluación de la Preparación ante Derrames de Hidrocarburos (RETOS™) (Español)

Length: 4 horas
Instructor Principal: Dario Miranda (DM Consultancy) and Miguel Moyano (ARPEL)

Este curso proporcionará a los participantes los conocimientos y las habilidades necesarios para utilizar la herramienta RETOS™, su Manual y la Guía Internacional OMI-Ipieca-Arpel 2023 para la Evaluación de la Planificación y Preparación para la Respuesta ante Derrames de Hidrocarburos, con el fin de evaluar la planificación y la preparación para la respuesta ante derrames de hidrocarburos, identificar deficiencias y necesidades de información, y determinar oportunidades y fuentes de mejora.

La Herramienta de Evaluación de la Preparación ante Derrames de Hidrocarburos (RETOS™), su Manual y la Guía Internacional 2023 conforman un conjunto integrado de herramientas que se actualizó entre 2022 y 2023 para brindar a la comunidad de respuesta ante derrames de hidrocarburos herramientas y referencias actualizadas para evaluar y mejorar continuamente los programas de planificación y preparación para la respuesta ante derrames de hidrocarburos. Este conjunto de herramientas se desarrolló con el apoyo de expertos regionales e internacionales de la industria y de gobiernos para ayudar a las organizaciones a evaluar su nivel de planificación y gestión de la preparación ante derrames de hidrocarburos, comparándolo con criterios preestablecidos y acordados comúnmente, así como con las Mejores Prácticas de Gestión reconocidas internacionalmente.

RETOS™, ahora disponible como aplicación web, es una herramienta de gestión única utilizada a nivel mundial por autoridades gubernamentales y organizaciones de la industria petrolera y del transporte en más de 115 países para evaluar las deficiencias en sus programas de respuesta a derrames de hidrocarburos en diferentes niveles. La herramienta proporciona orientación sobre oportunidades de mejora y sobre los recursos necesarios para abordar las deficiencias identificadas. La aplicación en línea gratuita ofrece módulos de evaluación que abarcan diversos ámbitos de respuesta a derrames de hidrocarburos, incluyendo el nacional, portuario, de instalaciones y de operaciones (por ejemplo, oleoductos, flotas de buques y otras operaciones).

El curso sigue el modelo del curso de OMI para RETOS™ y está dirigido a funcionarios, líderes, coordinadores y gerentes responsables del desarrollo estratégico, la implementación, el mantenimiento y la mejora continua de los planes y programas de preparación y respuesta ante derrames de hidrocarburos, tanto en el gobierno como en la industria.

Los participantes deberán tener acceso a un Plan de Contingencia pertinente (por ejemplo, un plan de instalaciones, de operaciones, nacional u otro plan aplicable) para su evaluación durante el curso, así como acceso a un PC (laptop o Tablet) para la sesión práctica dirigida.

Agenda

• Introducciones
• Objetivos del curso
• Antecedentes y desarrollo de los instrumentos de evaluación
• Sesión práctica dirigida
• Discusión y conclusión

Fundamentals of Oil Spills

Length: 8 hours
Lead Instructors: Amy Jewell & Tim Wadsworth, ITOPF
Co-instructors: John Tarpley (Chief NOAA ORR ERD) & Carl Childs (NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator, NOAA Office of Response & Restoration Emergency Response Division)

Course Description:
This eight-hour full-day course provides an introduction to the various components of an oil spill response. Through an interactive all-day tabletop exercise interspersed with a series of technical presentations, attendees will learn about the chemical and physical properties of oil, the effects of oil on environmental and economic resources, and techniques for responding to spills of oil at-sea and on the shoreline. Attendees will also gain an insight into the process for recovering costs following an oil spill. The course will be highly interactive, with attendees taking part in several exercises throughout the day to assist with understanding the topics presented, including an augmented reality (AR) experience to visualize and plan shoreline clean-up operations.