IMO OPRC Model Training Courses for Oil Spill Response Level 0, 1, 2 & 3
The International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Cooperation, 1990 (OPRC) calls for the International Maritime Organization, along with relevant international and regional organisations, oil and shipping industries, to develop a comprehensive training programme in the field of oil pollution preparedness and response. In this regard, four model training courses were developed aimed at the following:
LEVEL 0 : Introduction
LEVEL 1 : First Responders
LEVEL 2 : Supervisors and On-Scene Commanders
LEVEL 3 : Administrators and Senior Managers
IMO OPRC Level 0 – Introduction to Oil Spills
1 Day
The prime purpose of this course is to provide a first introduction to the essential elements of oil spill preparedness and response. The objective is to provide outline knowledge of the principles and issues associated with the response to oil spills. This course is a one day introduction which provides a basic grounding in the topic.
Any personnel who will be involved strategically, tactically, operationally or administratively in an oil spill.
- Fate and behaviour of oil and the implications for response
- Contingency planning
- Hazards to personnel and responding safely
- Response strategies
- Command and control
- Waste management
- Liability and compensation
- Media management
IMO OPRC Level 1 – Response to Oil Spills for First Responders
5 Days
The course is designed with the aim of improving the skills of field response personnel responsible for undertaking on-site clean up operations and to provide them with a complete overview of the various techniques available for recovering oil spilled at sea and cleaning of polluted shorelines.
The course focuses on, and provides in-depth knowledge and skills in, on-site first response to oil spills with the emphasis on combat and clean-up technologies.
There are several practical exercises included in the programme so that delegates have the opportunity to assess their skills in relation to real life situations.
Personnel who will be required to make the initial assessment and first response to oil spill incidents, such as Marine Terminal Staff, Marine Officers, Superintendents and Site Response Team personnel.
Response team members who will be required to operate or supervise the operation of specialist oil spill response equipment.
- Fate and behaviour of oil and the implications for response
- Alert, mobilisation and reporting of spills
- Containment and recovery systems
- The use of dispersants
- Shoreline clean-up and protection techniques
- Hazards to personnel and responding safely
- Care and maintenance of equipment
- Equipment commissioning
- Waste management – transfer, storage and disposal
- Practical exercises
- Table-top exercises
IMO OPRC Level 2 – Response to Oil Spills for Supervisors & On-scene Commanders
5 Days
The primary role and responsibility of the Supervisor or On-Scene Commander (OSC) is to coordinate and manage the response to an oil spill. The Supervisor or OSC is responsible for the emergency response team, developing and implementing a response organisation, coordinating the work of other agencies involved in the response, deciding on the response strategies and tactics to be used to clean up the spilled oil and coordinating the collection of information necessary to recover costs. These and other demands will be made on the Supervisor or OSC during the incident and will be addressed in the course.
The course focuses on, and provides a broad range of knowledge and allows the participants to develop the skills to effective manage or supervise an oil spill response team. The programme will include desktop exercises so that delegates have the opportunity to test and assess their skills.
Dedicated on-scene commanders and supervisors. Any personnel designated to coordinate on-shore or offshore field activities.
- Oil spill behaviour, fate and effects
- Environmental Impact
- Contingency planning, response management and organization
- Spill Assessment
- Responder safety
- The use of dispersants
- Containment, protection and recovery of oil
- Waste transfer, storage and disposal
- Alternative response strategies
- Operations planning
- Liability, claims and compensation
- Dealing with the media, NGOs and the community
- Response deactivation
- Post incident briefing
- Practical exercise
- Table-top exercises
IMO OPRC Level 3 – Response to Oil Spills for Administrators & Senior Managers
3 Days
The issues and challenges facing organisations in the event of an oil spill incident should not be under-estimated. Senior managers need to understand the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders, the On-scene Commander and his team. The management of public and media expectations, often unrealistic, is one of those challenges. The course addresses issues such as: dangers to the environment, health and safety; media response; multi-agency interest/engagement; claims and compensation; public scrutiny of the response; when to terminate the clean-up and the ever present pressure to succeed. The importance of Contingency Planning at the National and Industry levels and how it plays a key role to the success of a response to a spill is emphasised.
Senior managers with limited or no experience in the response to oil spills but do have a responsibility for ensuring such capability exists in their company, department or country or region.
- Causes, fate and effects of oil spills
- Risk evaluation and contingency planning
- Oil spill modelling
- Environmental Impact
- Spill response strategies, successes and limitations
- Liability and Compensation
- International cooperation – the legal framework
- Spill management roles and responsibilities
- Case histories
- Local, national, regional and international regulations
- Dealing with the media, NGOs and the community
- Practical exercises
- Table-top exercises