Download Chapter 4

4.1 Operations

4.2 Rescue And Salvage Branch

4.2.1 Firefighting Unit
4.2.2 Cargo Transfer/Lightering Unit

4.3 Spill Cleanup Branch

4.3.1 Offshore Unit
4.3.2 Shoreline Protection Unit
4.3.3 Shoreline Cleanup Unit
4.3.4 Surveillance Unit
4.3.5 Wildlife Rescue Unit
4.3.6 Waste Management Unit
4.3.7 Spill Advisor

Table 4.1:

Operations Section Chief
Rescue Salvage Branch Director
Firefighting Unit Leader
Cargo Transfer/ Lightering Unit Leader
Spill Cleanup Branch Director
Offshore Unit Leader
Shoreline Protection Unit Leader
Shoreline Cleanup Unit Leader
Surveillance Unit Leader
Wildlife Rescue Unit Leader
Waste Management Unit Leader
Spill Advisor
Air Operations On-Site Unit Leader

Chapter 4: RESPONSE MANAGEMENT - OPERATIONS

The Operations Section carries out the spill response activities. It may be composed of multiple units, depending on the size and potential impact of the incident. The Operations Section Chief directs and coordinates all tactical operations within the response area. The Operations Section provides input to the Planning Section in defining the response and operational goals detailed in the action plan, and develops mission assignments and schedules to accomplish them. The Operations Section Chief identifies resource requirements, and evaluates and reports the results of response operations. Information provided by over-flights, site surveys, and spill impact and risk assessments is used by the Operations Section Chief to establish priorities in utilizing spill response assets on a day to day basis.

The Operations Section may be sub-divided into a Rescue and Salvage Branch, and a Spill Cleanup Branch, since ship casualties requiring a pollution response operation may also result in a need for other operations such as salvage, firefighting, and/or search and rescue. The director of each branch may assign unit leaders to assist in specific areas of the response operations. In the Rescue and Salvage Branch, these unit leaders may include: fire-fighting, cargo transfer pumps, and air operations on-site. Unit leaders in the Spill Clean-up Branch may be assigned in the following response areas: offshore, shoreline protection, shoreline clean-up, surveillance, wildlife rescue, and waste management. An advisor with additional expertise in OHS spills may also be assigned to assist the Spill Cleanup Branch Director. The duties and responsibilities of the section chief, branch directors, and individual unit leaders are listed in Table 4-1.

4.2 Rescue And Salvage Branch [top]

The Navy and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) have extensive experience and trained personnel for the performance of search and rescue (SAR) activities. SAR operations generally include the use of aircraft and surface vessels. Joint SAR operations are coordinated by Relevant Fleet Command and USCG District __________.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) support is provided initially by Navy and fire rescue personnel. If large numbers of casualties are expected, hospitals/clinics on base and in the local area should be alerted.

Close coordination between the Spill Cleanup Branch and the Rescue and Salvage Branch is necessary when both salvage and pollution response operations are required by the same incident. All Fleet salvage, OHS incidents, and related pollution response operations occurring more than 12 miles offshore shall be the responsibility of Relevant Fleet Command. The shore side NOSC is responsible for all OHS pollution response operations occurring in his/her AOR. This includes all OHS spills on or at Navy activities as well as spills from Navy vessels anywhere in the NOSC’s AOR. This also includes spills that occur during salvage operations, though operational assistance may be provided by the Relevant Fleet Command.

4.2.1 Firefighting Unit [top]

Since most light oils are volatile, the fire hazard associated with an oil discharge may be the most immediate response concern. If both firefighting and oil spill responses are necessary, fire suppression is the primary response priority. Containment and collection of spilled oil should proceed only if personnel are able to access the spill in relative safety from the fire. Naphtha based fuels, like JP-4, present an extreme fire hazard. Generally, the pollution risk associated with spills of JP-5, JP-8, and marine diesel fuel (DFM) presents a more significant hazard than the fire risk from these fuels.

The USCG exercises primary federal responsibility for the safety and security of ports and waterways in the United States and controls the establishment of safety zones and restricted areas within a port, as necessary. However, their marine firefighting resources are limited and they rely on local port operators and governments to provide and maintain adequate disaster response capabilities in each port area. The Fire Chief responsible for the threatened port area or terminal assumes the responsibilities of Incident Commander for firefighting operations. Most Fire Chiefs are also trained and equipped to provide initial response equipment and personnel for incidents involving hazardous substances. In most cases, federal fire departments have entered into mutual support agreements with the local surrounding fire departments. The Operations Section Chief should familiarize him/herself with the firefighting arrangements established in his/her area.

4.2.2 Cargo Transfer/Lightering Unit [top]

This unit supervises the cargo transfer, pumping, and/or lightering activities to ensure that they are conducted in a safe and efficient manner. The unit coordinates the engineering and technical analyses of transfer and/or lightering operations.

4.3 Spill Cleanup Branch [top]

Containment methods are applied to limit the spread of the spill, and to concentrate the spill, improving the effectiveness of the mechanical cleanup equipment. Containment methods generally include the use of boom or sorbents to surround and collect the spilled substance and the use of diversionary booming or trenches to direct the spill to more favorable or natural collection points.

Highly volatile fuels such as JP-4 or gasoline should never be contained where there is a risk of fire or ignition, and the use of a protective blanket of AFFF or other foam should be given early consideration. The best response alternative for a spill of this type may be to permit the natural evaporation and dispersion of the fuel.

Periodically during the cleanup, and again at the end of operations, all personnel and equipment must be decontaminated, i.e., all oil and hazardous substances must be removed from all personnel and equipment. Decontamination agents (chemical) and methods (cold/hot pressure wash, chemicals, etc.) must be selected with care to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations that address the use and final disposal of approved cleaning agents. For assistance in the selection of these agents and methods, consult the Area Plan and the Regional Response Team (RRT). Decontamination activities should be carried out in a large, open area where materials handling equipment can easily move about and the necessary cleaning equipment and cleaning pools can be set up. ideal sites include large parking areas, hangars, or runway areas. All required permits for response operations are obtained by the Environmental Unit Leader in the Planning Section (see section 5.4.3).

4.3.1 Offshore Unit [top]

Mechanical recovery is the preferred method of oil discharge cleanup for the U.S. Navy. The Offshore Unit coordinates the on-water recovery activities. Mechanical recovery includes the use of skimmers, sorbents, pumps, and temporary storage devices. Specialized equipment for on-water cleanup is available from the Supervisor of Salvage (SUPSALV).

Chemical dispersants are not available at Navy activities since they are generally not suitable for use on Navy fuels. The use of dispersants must be authorized by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) and approved by the RRT.

In situ burning is a promising response alternative that requires the approval of the RRT and FOSC. The Navy is actively involved in research and development of the necessary technology for effective in situ burning. The RRT representatives for COMXXXX should be contacted to determine if pre-approval for burning has been established for their region (see Appendix D).

4.3.2 Shoreline Protection Unit [top]

The Shoreline Protection Unit addresses protection of sensitive areas threatened by a spill. The primary protection technique is to create or install barriers (dikes, ditches, berms, boom, sorbents, etc.) to prevent the spill from reaching areas of high sensitivity, or to use the barriers to divert the flow of the spilled substance to collection points where collection activities can be carried out more efficiently. Appendix E includes lists of locally available resources. Boom placement strategies and sensitive areas where barriers should be used are identified in Appendices F and I. The selection of specific equipment and techniques depends on the type of substance spilled, the location and potential impact of the spill, and considerations of geography, weather, and availability of resources.

4.3.3 Shoreline Cleanup Unit [top]

Shoreline cleanup activities produce the largest volumes of contaminated waste materials. To reduce the volume of waste, the Shoreline Cleanup Unit should consider the removal of debris from beaches and areas likely to be affected by the spill before the spill reaches these areas. These actions considerably reduce the waste stream, and simplify the beach cleanup operation. These issues are addressed in the Disposal Plan prepared by the Planning Section. The Shoreline Cleanup Unit and Operations Section Chief assist in the development of this plan (see section 4.3.6 "Waste Management Unit").

4.3.4 Surveillance Unit [top]

The Surveillance Unit Leader establishes a surveillance program that provides timely information to the Operations and Planning Sections on the development of the spill. The Surveillance Unit coordinates the acquisition and scheduling of surveillance aircraft to perform the following tasks:

Government sources for aircraft support should initially be explored. The NOSC, however, must be prepared to obtain commercially chartered aircraft if military aircraft are not immediately available due to remoteness of the spill location or conflict with other military operations (see Appendix E).

4.3.5 Wildlife Rescue Unit [top]

The recovery and rehabilitation of wildlife affected by the spill should be coordinated by the Wildlife Rescue Unit. Cleanup crews should be briefed to recover and bag dead wildlife found during cleanup operations for return to the wildlife unit. If recovery is not immediately feasible, the location of the wildlife should be documented and reported to the Wildlife Rescue Unit for subsequent retrieval. An accurate count of affected wildlife is an essential element of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process.

Various organizations are available to conduct or assist in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation activities. Rehabilitation of wildlife should be undertaken under the guidance of a wildlife cleanup expert. The use of common detergents to clean oiled wildlife may result in more immediate damage to the creature than the oil itself. If the numbers of injured animals are large, centralized facilities may have to be established to house the recovering animals. Be prepared to receive calls from concerned citizens wishing to volunteer. Under the NCP, volunteer support shall be directed to the FOSC. (see section 2.13 "Volunteer Support").

4.3.6 Waste Management Unit [top]

The Waste Management Unit coordinates waste collection, characterization, and disposal activities. Generally, wastes generated during oil spill cleanup operations are not considered hazardous wastes. However, large or controversial disposal operations should be discussed with the relevant members of the RRT.

The Defense Logistics Agency Defense Reutilization Marketing Service (DRMS) generally assumes responsibility for disposal of hazardous materials. Hazardous wastes should be collected and transported to DRMS facilities. Each material must be properly packed, labeled, and manifested with accompanying turn-in documentation. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS), Waste identification Sheet (WIS), and a proper, non-leaking container are required for turn-in to DRMS. The Waste Management Unit Leader coordinates actions with the Logistics and Planning Sections.

4.3.7 Spill Advisor [top]

SUPSALV can provide a Spill Advisor to the NOSC or to the Spill Cleanup Branch Director to assist in the evaluation and identification of response equipment and techniques that may enhance the effectiveness of response operations.