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On-Scene Coordinator Readiness Training Program
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February 4-7, 2008 |
San Diego, California
Course Descriptions
 | Expanded |
 | Recommended for Response Support Corps (RSC) staff |
 | New course |
 | Multiple offerings |
 | Course can be applied to contract training requirements of the Clinger-Cohen Act (Maloney Bill) |
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Advanced Hazard Identification and Categorization
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
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Wednesday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Doug Ferguson, EPA Region 7 |
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Randy Schademann, EPA Region 7 |
Advanced Hazard Categorization and Identification, a 1-day advanced course, focuses on specific techniques that OSCs can use when they respond to incidents that involve abandoned containers or other materials of unknown composition. Participants are expected to be proficient at field chemical identification techniques before they enroll in this course. By taking the course, participants achieve the following objectives:
- Develop an understanding of major chemical families, their properties, and the techniques used to identify them.
- Apply a step-by-step approach to categorize the major hazards of wastes typically encountered at EPA responses. This process helps participants decide whether and what type of further analysis of the material may be needed and to evaluate whether bulking the wastes is possible.
- Use wet chemical and electronic instrumentation to identify many materials of unknown composition or apply basic hazard categorization to determine the general chemical family these materials are a part of (such as alcohol, ketone, acid, base, and hydrocarbon).
- Explore practical applications for advanced field identification of chemicals by reviewing a variety of case studies that successfully applied the methods. A discussion is included about potential cost savings as a result of using reduced analytical services and a decrease in time spent on tasks.
The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case studies, and group exercises.
Participation is not recommended for individuals with chemical sensitivities because numerous materials are tested in this course.
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Air Monitoring at Radiological Emergency Responses
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Gregg Dempsey, EPA HQ |
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Scott Hudson, EPA NDT |
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Colby Stanton, EPA HQ |
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Ed Tupin, EPA HQ |
Air Monitoring at Radiological Emergency Responses will be developed and taught by a team of representatives from the three EPA Special Teams - the Environmental Response Team (ERT), the National Decontamination Team (NDT), and the Radiological Emergency Response Team (RERT).
The first hour is devoted to a review of EPA's "national buy" radiation survey and air monitoring equipment and focuses on extending the OSCs' understanding of the potential limitations of the equipment. The instructors review the uses of the equipment, including situations when the equipment should and should not be used. The instructors also review the differences between the radiological equipment and typical chemical air monitoring or sampling equipment.
The second hour includes a review of the strategy for and terminology of air monitoring, including a discussion on how to convert from typical equipment outputs-for example, converting counts per minute (cpm) versus disintegrations per minute (dpm) to the units more typically of interest in assessing potential health impacts. (These units are roentgen [R] versus roentgen equivalent man [rem] versus total effective dose equivalent [TEDE] versus committed effective dose equivalent [CEDE].) This section of the course primarily focuses on air monitoring plans and implementation, and the use of plume modeling outputs (such as Inter-Agency Modeling and Atmospheric Assessment Center [IMAAC]) to develop an effective response strategy and monitoring plan. The instructors also review air monitoring "jargon," such as annual limits on intake (ALI) and derived air concentrations (DAC) that OSCs may use to communicate with radiological experts and contractors and more effectively manage radiation emergency responses and removal sites. Most importantly, the instructors review the results OSCs can expect and how long it will take to receive data, depending on the type of incident.
Finally, the course includes an exercise that requires OSCs to apply what they have learned using preliminary data (provided by the instructors) and air modeling output to develop an air monitoring plan for a fictional site using the national buy equipment and other available tools.
This 4-hour course is designed as an advanced radiation course. Prerequisites include ERT's basic course on the national buy radiological equipment and EPA's basic radiation safety training.
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Alternative Countermeasures for Oil Spills
| Date and Time: |
Thursday, February 7, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Ben Banipal, EPA Region 6 |
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Tom Condon, EPA Region 1 |
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Nick Nichols, EPA HQ |
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William Robberson, EPA Region 9 |
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Albert Venosa, EPA HQ |
Alternative Countermeasures (ACM) for Oil Spills is a 4-hour session that generally covers Region 9 Regional Response Team (RRT) efforts, Region 1's use of alternative technologies such as oil in ice countermeasures, bioremediation research, and updates on the National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP) Subpart J rulemaking. A more detailed discussion on in situ burning (ISB) will be provided in a separate course. An expanded discussion of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) relationship with local, state, and tribal responders will be facilitated. Please come prepared to discuss this issue.
Over the last few years, alternative (non-mechanical) oil spill response methods have gained popularity and acceptance among industry, federal responders and trustees, state agencies, Congress, and the entire oil spill response community. OSCs play a vital role in planning and authorizing use of alternative countermeasures (ACM) with RRT participation and as responders to inland spills. RRT representatives may be called on more often to concur with ISB and chemical and biological countermeasures for marine and inland spills.
ISB, dispersants, surface washing agents (SWA), chemical sorbents, and other technologies have sparked controversy and confusion in all regions and areas. Many research efforts have helped resolve issues about toxicity, efficacy, and proper use of these tools, but conflicts and questions still arise.
RRTs have been tasked with designating pre-approved or expedited alternative countermeasure application zones for ISB and dispersants. Other federal agencies, industry, and product manufacturers continue to expand the application of dispersants. As a result, RRTs are re-evaluating their region's pre-approval areas along with these efforts.
What will you learn? OSCs, area planners, and RRT representatives will be exposed to case studies and be updated on RRT efforts to expand the knowledge of OSCs beyond information on the NCP Product Schedule. Efforts are under way to document how to use the products more appropriately. There will be an update on Office of Research and Development (ORD) research to support NCP Subpart J rulemaking efforts, including the new wave tank for dispersant testing. The course will profile bioremediation research and field work, surface washing agents in Regions 1 and 5, and will discuss dispersants. We will also update the class on the ACM research EPA has conducted and plans for the future. All participants are encouraged to discuss their use of ACMs and lessons learned.
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Be Prepared: Know What to Say and How to Say It
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
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Wednesday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Pamela Avery, Bozell, LLC |
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Dominic Frederico, Bozell, LLC |
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Kevin Matheis, EPA Region 2 |
Be Prepared: Know What to Say and How to Say It is a media and spokesperson training workshop for OSCs. What you say and how you say it are critical to getting information out to the news media, community groups, the public, and other organizations. This 8-hour course is designed to give participants the confidence they need to explain their work and to talk about tough issues. Participants will learn how the news media operate; how to prepare for interviews or public speaking engagements; how to craft organizational messages; and how to deliver those messages effectively—even during a crisis. This highly interactive course features customized scenarios relevant to each participant’s programs or projects; one-on-one videotaped sessions with professional interviewers; a group training exercise, and case studies that demonstrate how to win at interviews. Each participant will receive a media and spokesperson training manual at the conclusion of the course.
Each course is limited to 15 participants, who must commit to attend the workshop at the 2008 OSC Readiness Training. Participants will need to forward information about their jobs and projects to the trainer 3 weeks in advance of the workshop. (A reminder e-mail will be sent to each participant.)
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Alert: Course full
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Case Studies Part I
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Myles Bartos, EPA Region 3 |
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Earl Liverman, EPA Region 10 |
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Mike Nalipinski, EPA Region 1 |
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Carlos Pachon, EPA HQ |
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Jeffry Rodin, EPA Region 10 |
Case Studies Part I, a 3.5-hour course, describes sites where OSCs have worked. Response projects include, but are not limited to, an abandoned chemical manufacturing plant, a landfill fire, a major pesticide release, an illegal hazardous materials disposal site, a train derailment, and an oil spill response. Presentations are fast-paced and incorporate audience interaction. This course is of great value to new OSCs as well as those with substantial experience. This course will feature the following case studies:
Jeffry Rodin
Swift Creek - Naturally Occurring Asbestos Site, Whatcom County, Washington
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region 10 has been investigating the presence of naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) at the Swift Creek Asbestos Site in Whatcom County, Washington, in coordination with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; Northwest Clean Air Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Washington State Department of Ecology; Washington State Department of Health; Whatcom County Health Department; and Whatcom County Public Works.
EPA performed three phases of field work at the site in 2006 (site recon, integrated assessment, and activity-based sampling) to characterize the nature and extent of the asbestos contamination in stockpiled sediments, and to determine the potential health risks to local residents and site visitors. Based on the results, EPA recommended that dredged materials no longer be removed from the site without personal protection. In addition, it was recommended that dredged material not be taken to other sites where further exposure is possible. EPA continues to work with other federal, state, and local agencies to evaluate potential health risks and to develop short- and long-term strategies to address flooding and sediment control in Swift Creek.
Mike Nalipinski and Neil Norrell
Danbury Anthrax Response, Danbury, Connecticut
In 2007, EPA responded to a Danbury, Connecticut, incident involving naturally occurring anthrax, which required coordination between the FBI, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (CDC/NIOSH), National Homeland Security Research Center, National Decontamination Team, Connecticut Department of Public Health, and others. This response was complicated by the varying objectives and competing interests of these organizations.
This presentation will discuss the broad coordination issues and will not focus on the technical details associated with decontamination techniques that can be used for anthrax contamination.
The presentation will make recommendations for future EPA involvement at naturally occurring anthrax incidents.
Myles Bartos, Region 3, and Carlos Pachon, EPA OSRTI
Crozet Township Arsenic Site, Crozet, Virginia
The Crozet Site is a former orchard area that has been developed into residential properties. During the operation of the orchards, a variety of pesticides were applied, many illegal since the 1970s. In many areas, these chemicals are still present and pose an unacceptable risk to human health. EPA conducted a removal action at the site based on an "unconventional" action level analysis. Traditional hog and haul was utilized to mitigate the threat, along with phytoremediation, an alternative technology. The irrigation system used for this alternative technology was consistent with EPA HQ "green remediation" initiatives.
Earl Liverman
Conjecture Mine Site, Bonner County, Idaho
The Conjecture Mine and Mill site is an inactive, mixed ownership site located in north Idaho. This case study will address the unique issues associated with cleanup of the site, including approaching site cleanup considering the mine's role within a watershed, interagency funding and coordination, conduct of cleanup actions at remote locations, design and construction of the mine waste repository, and environmental restoration.
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Case Studies Part II
| Date and Time: |
Thursday, February 7, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Earl Liverman, EPA Region 10 |
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Katy Miley, EPA Region 7 |
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Kathy Parker, EPA Region 10 |
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William Rhotenberry, EPA Region 6 |
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Jeff Weatherford, EPA Region 7 |
Case Studies Part II, a 4-hour course, describes sites where OSCs have worked. Response projects include, but are not limited to, an abandoned chemical manufacturing plant, a landfill fire, a major pesticide release, an illegal hazardous materials disposal site, a train derailment, and an oil spill response. Presentations are fast-paced and incorporate audience interaction. This course is of great value to new OSCs as well as those with substantial experience. This course will feature the following case studies:
William Rhotenberry
Stevesons LP Gas, Sallisaw, Oklahoma
Coffeyville Resources, located in Coffeyville, KS, is a petroleum refinery that shipped out several loads of propane containing elevated concentrations of fluorides due to a process malfunction at the refinery. The propane was delivered to homeowners and, upon combustion, released residual fluorine that reacted with water vapor to form hydrofluoric acid. The propane (as shipped from the refinery) contained only high "fluorides," which is not listed as a Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) hazardous substance. It is only when the propane was combusted at the burner tip of the appliance that "fluorine" was released and subsequently hydrofluoric acid was formed. This kept EPA from pursuing a Unilateral Order, after the refinery refused to sign an Administrative Order on Consent. This experience highlighted the fact that while there are regulations on tanks and piping associated with propane, there is very little regulation of the product itself.
Kathy Parker
Yakima Mercury Release Emergency Response, Yakima, Washington
In the fall of 2006, several boys in Yakima, Washington, found a small bottle of elemental mercury in a shed. When a 16-year-old boy started showing signs of fatigue, weight loss, and hallucinations, he stayed home from school, increasing his exposure to the mercury spilled in his bedroom. In April 2007, he was hospitalized with mercury poisoning. EPA entered the house and found high levels of mercury in the indoor air. The investigation traced the mercury contamination to a half dozen households, the street and sidewalk in front of the boy's house, and the yards of two houses. Contamination in the boy's house was extensive and included removal of flooring, plumbing pipes, cabinets, pieces of wall board, window frames, plumbing fixtures, and household furnishings. The multi-agency removal action required investigation, on-site mercury analysis, excavation and demolition, reconstruction of two houses, relocation of two families and compensation for replacement of items necessary for reoccupying the houses. Issues that complicated the removal were the need for translators and media attention by reporters that conducted nearly daily television and newspaper interviews. The focus of the presentation will be on lessons learned by EPA.
Jeffrey Weatherford
The Washington County Lead District - Potosi Area Site, Missouri
Missouri has been and is currently the largest lead mining area in the world. Today, Missouri accounts for nearly 90 percent of the nation's processed lead and nearly 40 percent of the world's lead supply.
The Washington County Lead District is one of the oldest mining districts in North America having begun serious mining around 1725. The area consists of high concentrations of lead contamination from over 280 years of mining activities. The EPA is currently conducting time-critical removal actions primarily to address lead contaminated drinking water in Washington County, as well as lead contaminated soils in yards.
The Potosi Area site consists primarily of residential areas within and around the towns of Potosi, Mineral Point, and Cadet, Missouri. This site is the largest of three proposed National Priorities List (NPL) sites in the Washington County Lead District. In addition to discussing site specific response details, this presentation will briefly discuss the history of lead mining in the state of Missouri and more specifically in Washington County.
Katy A. Miley
Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing Oil Spill, Kansas and Oklahoma
Severe flooding in southeast Kansas and northeast Oklahoma caused the Verdigris River to overtop the levee surrounding Coffeyville, Kansas on July 1, 2007. Approximately 2,145 barrels of crude oil were released from Coffeyville Resources Refining and Marketing (CRRM) and carried through the town of Coffeyville and southward into Oklahoma.
Communication and coordination between the two EPA regions, the two states, local representatives, and CRRM were major challenges during this response. Additional coordination challenges involved the large number of CRRM contractors onsite. Physical and infrastructure complications included the lack of local power, drinking water, and wastewater services during the initial phases of the response. Agricultural areas were flooded that required extensive assessment extending from Kansas into Oklahoma. EPA Region 7 did not receive a FEMA Mission Assignment for management of household hazardous waste or white goods. The final steps in this response involved the demolition of over 300 structures affected by oil and bought by CRRM. The demolition of these structures required consideration of National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs) standards and management of the demolition and disposal process by an asbestos management contractor for CRRM. EPA Region 7 is currently coordinating oversight of Kansas demolition activities with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. No demolition activities were required in Oklahoma.
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Characterization and Remediation of Chlorinated Solvents Sites
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Jeff Catanzarita, EPA ERT |
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Terrence Johnson, EPA ERT |
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Mia Pasquerella, EPA Region 1 |
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Alex Sherrin, EPA Region 1 |
Characterization and Remediation of Chlorinated Solvent Sites: Managing chlorinated solvent sites (contaminated by chlorinated volatile organic compounds, or CVOCs) presents specific challenges for investigators and remediation experts. The physical properties and recalcitrant nature of these compounds often result in widespread contamination that can be difficult to find and remediate. Pools of dense nonaqueous phase liquids (DNAPL) in the subsurface can serve as a long-term source for plumes of dissolved contaminants at many contamination sites.
This 4-hour course will focus on CVOCs in their three commonly found phases or media: vadose soil; source areas in groundwater (nonaqueous phase liquid [NAPL]); and in the dissolved phase in groundwater. The first section will review site characterization methods and will describe innovative tools that go beyond commonly used soil, soil-gas, and groundwater sampling. Geophysical methods such as ground-penetrating radar, seismic refraction, and other innovative geophysical tools and methods can play an essential role in locating low areas in bedrock where DNAPL pools may exist.
The second section will review recent advances in remediation technologies that provide more options for OSCs to manage sites. Technologies such as excavation, soil vapor extraction, in situ chemical oxidation, bioremediation, and zero valence iron have all been used successfully at CVOC sites.
This course will provide OSCs with an overview of the latest investigation and remediation tools from experienced OSCs who have successfully implemented them in the field. Case studies will be used to demonstrate the use of these technologies.
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Contaminant Hydrogeology Course
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Don Bussey, EPA ERT |
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Richard Fetzer, EPA Region 3 |
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Gary Newhart, EPA ERT |
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Greg Powell, EPA ERT |
Contaminant Hydrogeology focuses on technical hydrogeologic issues that OSCs may have to address when assessing or mitigating oil spills and hazardous material releases to the subsurface. This 3.5-hour course provides information on the basics of groundwater flow and contaminant transport, subsurface investigation methods, nonaqueous phase liquids, and vapor intrusion. By taking the course, participants will achieve the following objectives:
- Review the fundamentals of hydrogeology.
- Explore the fundamental concepts of groundwater flow and contaminant fate and transport.
- Discuss the interactions of surface water and groundwater.
- Discuss innovative field techniques, including direct-push technology, geophysical methods, soil gas sampling, soil and hard rock coring techniques, and investigative approaches to evaluating discrete-zone bedrock contamination.
- Discuss the possibility of preferential flow of contaminants in the subsurface.
- Discuss the interaction between subsurface contamination and indoor air vapor intrusion.
- Discuss source removal, product recovery, de-watering, and groundwater treatment techniques.
- Benefit from presentations of case histories of sites that illustrate innovative subsurface investigation techniques and removal alternatives.
The instructional methodology for this course includes lecture, case histories, and open discussions. The target audience for this course is OSCs interested in reviewing the basics of hydrogeology, field investigations, and removal options for subsurface contamination.
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Daily Implementation of ICS
| Date and Time: |
Thursday, February 7, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Bob Brobst , EPA Region 8 |
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Marc Callaghan, EPA Region 10 |
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JoAnn Eskelsen, EPA ERT |
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Michael Towle, EPA Region 3 |
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Leslye Werner, EPA Region 7 |
Daily Implementation of the Incident Command System (ICS) provides an opportunity for OSCs and members of the Response Support Corps (RSC) to share information and learn how the ICS has been applied in situations specific to EPA. This 4-hour course is taught by OSCs and members of the RSC using case studies, demonstrations, and an exercise to illustrate how ICS has been used in EPA responses, what worked and what did not work; and to recommend future actions. The course includes two RSC deployment case studies, an explanation of a Technical Specialist Assignment, discussion and demonstration of the planning process, and an exercise. The exercise includes creation of the Incident Action Plan in an unfolding response scenario. The target audience for this course includes members of the RSC who have completed ICS 300 and 400 and OSCs who may interact with RSCs on a response.
This course is recommended for RSC staff.
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Debris Management Issues During a Natural Disaster
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Phyllis Flaherty, EPA HQ |
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Timothy Gouger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
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Nancy Jones, EPA Region 6 |
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Fran Kremer, EPA HQ |
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James Michael, EPA HQ |
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Mazzie Talley, EPA Region 7 |
Debris Management Issues during a Natural Disaster, a 1 day course, will cover how overall debris management during a natural disaster is incorporated into various responsibilities assigned in the Emergency Support Function (ESF) Annexes to the National Response Plan (NRP), including ESF-10 and ESF-3. The course also includes specific recommendations on best management practices for collection, transportation, segregation, and disposal options. Participants will also receive an update on debris management at a national level that may affect future responses, roll out of the new Planning for Natural Disasters Debris Guide, development of landfill specialty teams, disaster debris recovery networking, and a waste minimization pilot project. There will also be a discussion on the applicability of the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) regulations to debris management activities.
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Effective Community Involvement During Removals and Emergency Responses
| Date and Time: |
Wednesday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Marcos Aquino, EPA Region 3 |
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Sherryl Carbonaro, EPA Region 4 |
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Helen DuTeau, EPA Region 3 |
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Jason Musante, EPA Region 9 |
Effective Community Involvement during Removals and Emergency Responses
...EPA tests for dangerous vapor inside homes...Mercury spill contaminates school and kids...EPA tests buried drums near local playground...Excavation begins in residential yards...
Any of these headlines sound familiar? Whether you’re a seasoned OSC or just learning the ropes, one of the most important aspects of your job is communicating your work to the public. In this 8-hour, dynamic and interactive workshop, you will learn to:
- Apply the general principles of risk communication
- Apply tools and techniques to handle community involvement issues effectively
- Anticipate and plan for community involvement at high-visibility sites
- Understand the statutory requirements for community involvement at removal and emergency response sites
Using simulated removal scenarios, participants will design approaches and solutions to a variety of challenges and present them to the class. You may be asked to handle a difficult person, prepare for a TV interview, or manage a public meeting. Whatever is thrown at you, this course will help you prepare for the real-life version that all OSCs will encounter during their careers.
Time allowing, there will also be an “advice session” during the workshop to share ideas and offer solutions to real-life community involvement challenges.
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Emergency Responder Health and Safety Manual
| Date and Time: |
Monday, February 4, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Sam Borries, EPA Region 5 |
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Debra Flagg, EPA HQ |
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Chris Hartnett, Eastern Research Group, Inc. |
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Jim Mullins, EPA Region 6 |
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Thomas Spargo, Tetra Tech NUS, Inc. |
Emergency Responder Health and Safety Manual is a new 4-hour course that addresses the need for a national health and safety program at EPA. As underscored by the responses to 9/11, the anthrax attacks, and the Columbia Shuttle incident, there is a need for a national EPA approach to critical emergency response operations. The course introduces a new tool designed to ensure that EPA’s regional offices have nationally consistent and effective health and safety programs and that OSCs have the information, contacts, and support infrastructure they need to produce and implement comprehensive, effective, and legally compliant safety plans for incidents of any type and size in any EPA region.
An overview of all chapters of the manual that have been completed to date will be provided, along with a problem-solving demonstration of the searchable web-based version of the manual. Students can “test drive” the manual’s design features, which allow it to be used effectively to answer small questions quickly or to link to source documents for comprehensive research. (Whether you have 2 minutes, 2 hours, or 2 days, this manual is particularly useful.)
The format for the course is lecture and interactive group discussion with demonstrations and exercises interspersed throughout, including opportunities to use a working version of the online manual to solve practical problems.
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Emerging Response Tools for Chemical, Biological, and Radiological Agents
| Date and Time: |
Wednesday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Mark Durno, EPA Region 5 |
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Constance Haaser, EPA HQ |
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Tonya Nichols, EPA HQ |
Emerging Response Tools for Biological, Chemical, and Radiological Agents, a 1-day course, will provide participants with knowledge and resources to enhance response and emergency consequence assessment. The first half day will involve the use of the standard analytical methods (SAM) manual to identify biological agents using screening and confirmatory assays. In addition, aspects of sampling strategies and sampling methods will be addressed. Also, resources for agent characterization, dose-response, and clearance information will be introduced through the Support for Environmental Rapid Risk Assessment (SERRA) knowledge base. The second half of the day will introduce the new Emergency Response Portal and the Decon Portfolio from the Office of Emergency Management and risk-based advisory levels such as Acute Exposure Guidance Levels (AEGL) and Provisional Advisory Levels (PAL). The day will conclude with an interactive session on Message Mapping needs for the emergency responder, followed by hands-on demonstrations of the various tools and databases. This session provides an overview of the research partnerships and other collaborations between the National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) and the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER).
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ESF-10 - From No Mission to Mission
| Date and Time: |
Thursday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Stephen Mason, EPA Region 6 |
ESF-10 – From No Mission to Mission is a 3.5-hour course designed for OSCs who are not experienced in working under the Stafford Act process (and for those who still have questions about it). The Road to Mission Assignments is paved with good intentions, but you can’t spend what you don’t have. Never has this statement been truer than when dealing with disasters, Stafford Act funding, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) operations.
By taking the course, participants gain insights into the following:
- The Mission Assignment process
- A presidential declaration after a disaster occurs
- Activation of Emergency Support Function (ESF) 10
- Action Request Forms (ARF), Mission Assignments, task orders, and closeouts
Through presentations and question and answer sessions, OSCs and other participants should gain additional knowledge to assist in their work during a disaster.
We learned that OSCs who responded to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were better prepared to do their jobs when they understood the basics of the funding process. In addition, the ESF-10 lead at the Joint Field Office will appreciate that you are familiar with this process.
This course is also recommended for Response Support Corps (RSC) staff.
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Field Documentation for the RSC
| Date and Time: |
Tuesday, February 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Benjamin Franco, EPA Region 4 |
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Mike Solecki, EPA Region 2 |
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Catherine Young, EPA Region 1 |
Field Documentation for the RSC is a 3.5-hour training course focusing on the technical and regulatory requirements that specify documentation for Response Support Corps (RSC) members when they respond to a regional or national emergency. The training will address the following topics:
- Regulatory requirements: Ensuring compliance with the National Contingency Plan and other relevant, response-related regulations;
- Enforcement-appropriate documentation: Ensuring that your documentation supports any subsequent enforcement actions related to specific response actions;
- The role of the RSC in support of the OSC: Reviewing the role of the OSC during a response and the OSC’s support teams and contractors that are already on scene when the RSC arrives;
- Incident Command System (ICS) Required Documentation: Addressing documentation requirements during regional and national emergency responses. Specific instruction on the documentation required of positions filled by the RSC, both within the field and within the Incident Command Post, will be emphasized. The training will examine the flow of data within the Incident Command Structure and the importance of proper documentation in producing an accurate and useable Incident Action Plan.
The training will include case studies to enhance the information presented. The target audience for this course is members of the RSC who need information on the documentation requirements during regional and national emergency responses.
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Getting the Job Done: A Workshop on Acquisition and Emergency Response Contract Management
| Date and Time: |
Monday, February 4, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Claudia Armstrong, EPA HQ |
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Gloria Kane, EPA HQ |
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Richard Messimer, EPA Region 3 |
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Raoul Scott, EPA HQ |
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Art Wing, EPA Region 1 |
Getting the Job Done: A Workshop on Acquisition and Emergency Response Contract Management is a 3.5-hour intermediate-level course that focuses on procurement issues relevant to OSCs and others working in the emergency response community. By attending this course, participants develop an understanding of the importance of contract management in emergency responses and removals. Topics covered are from the OSC Tool Box, and the instructors will incorporate examples and scenarios to illustrate uses of these topics.
In addition, new tools and resources used in EPA’s regional offices also will also be discussed. Interaction between the instructor and participants is encouraged.
Warranted OSCs will receive 3.5 hours of training toward the continuing contracting education requirements of the Clinger-Cohen Act (the Maloney Bill requirement). This course is recommended for new OSCs.
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HazMatIQ
| Date and Time: |
Wednesday, February 6, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Cris Aguirre, HazMatIQ |
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Joe Gorman, HazMatIQ |
HazMat IQ is a response tool that incorporates a series of easy-to-understand job aids called “Smart Charts.” The HazMat IQ system was developed by a group of firefighting professionals with more than 50 years of experience in hazardous materials management. These charts enable responders to quickly assess risk and decide how best to mitigate an incident, based primarily on chemical names and associated chemical properties. This system coaches responders through the process that virtually eliminates information overload.
HazMat IQ has designed a 1-day training session on use of The HazMat IQ 4 Step System. The system incorporates the following;
- (Step 1) Revolutionary Above the Line/Below the Line CHEMICAL SIZE UP
Using only the chemical name
- (Step 2) Streamlined chemical research process
With only seven chemical and physical properties
- (Step 3) Choose the appropriate meters
Combustible gas indicator (CGI), photoionization detector (PID), flame ionization detector (FID), pH paper, thermal imaging camera (TIC), KI paper
- (Step 4) Make the correct decision on personal protective equipment (PPE)
Level A, Level B, or Turnout gear
Course participants will review the HazMat IQ system in conjunction with the periodic table and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) guide. Participants will receive laminated copies of the “Smart Charts” for field use. This course is recommended for response OSCs – especially those who desire a simplified field chemistry refresher and an in-depth review of the NIOSH guide.
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How to Be Nice and Play Well With Others in the Contracts Environment
| Date and Time: |
Thursday, February 7, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Claudia Armstrong, EPA HQ |
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Craig Carroll, EPA Region 6 |
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Gregory Fife, EPA Region 6 |
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Richard Franklin, EPA Region 6 |
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Gloria Kane, EPA HQ |
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Stephen Mason, EPA Region 6 |
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Karen McCormick, EPA Region 6 |
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Raoul Scott, EPA HQ |
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Donald Smith, EPA Region 6 |
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Warren Zehner, EPA Region 6 |
How to Be Nice and Play Well with Others in the Contracts Environment, a 4-hour course, is an analogical, role-playing course focused on contract and site management. During the course, participants are assigned to play various roles on teams to fulfill individual and team goals. The roles the participants play bear remarkable similarities to a typical site—such as OSCs, the Superfund Technical Assessment and Response Team (START) members, the Emergency and Rapid Response Service (ERRS) response managers, and others. Although some good-natured competition among the teams is likely, the objective of the exercise is to reach the goal within the time frame of the course. The participants will work through the process of gaining approval (the Action Memorandum), tasking the contractor, providing oversight and approving work, documenting costs, addressing applicable or relevant and appropriate requirements (ARAR), and more — with all these steps assessed from the perspectives of different roles and goals.
Participants in this course who are warranted OSCs and contracting officer’s technical representatives (COTR) will receive 4 hours of training toward the contract training requirements of the Clinger-Cohen Act (Maloney Bill).
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Infectious Diseases and Toxic Agents: Threat to the U.S. Population and Agriculture from Plant, Animal, and Human Pathogens and Agents
| Date and Time: |
Thursday, February 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. |
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Thursday, February 7, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
Nancy Adams, EPA HQ |
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Mark Poli, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases |
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Daniel Rock, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign |
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Rich Rupert, EPA Region 3 |
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Blake Velde, U.S. Department of Agriculture |
Infectious Diseases and Toxic Agents: Threat to the U.S. Population and Agriculture from Plant, Animal, and Human Pathogens and Agents: This year's evolution in this series will discuss Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and the biological agent ricin. Approaches to biological threat and assessment, FMD and ricin epidemiology and EPA's role in response including decontamination and disposal strategies will be discussed.
Participants will:
- Learn how FMD and ricin agents are most likely to be used and via what method in a bioterrorism event; how pre- or post-event exposure may occur and how that affects risk; and how can rapid and effective intervention be assured?
- Become familiar with the current threat posed to the U.S. population and agriculture by natural- and anthropogenic-derived outbreaks by FMD and EPA's probable role in response to an outbreak of this disease.
- Become familiar with the current threat posed by ricin as a weapon of terror.
- Learn strategies to safely and effectively respond to pathogenic outbreaks and attacks involving toxic agents.
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Inland In-Situ Burning of Oil Spills
| Date and Time: |
Monday, February 4, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Instructors: |
John Caffin, U.S. Department of Agriculture |
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Phil Campagna, EPA ERT |
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Leigh DeHaven, EPA HQ |
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Carl Lautenberger, EPA Region 10 |
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Amy Merten, National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration |
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Ann Whelan, EPA Region 5 |
Inland In Situ Burning of Oil Spills is a 4-hour course that provides an introduction to the scientific approach of inland in situ burning (ISB) of oil spills. As an alternative countermeasure for oil spill response, ISB is not the answer for all inland oil spills. This course will give OSCs valuable resources that will highlight educated decision making for in situ burning situations.
Topics in the course include:
- Regional Response Teams ISB Guidelines and Plans.
- Oil burning characteristics.
- Case Studies.
- Favorable and unfavorable conditions to conduct ISB.
- Air quality and air monitoring issues.
- Communication chain, public relations, and public education.
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