FROM TRAINING TO TESTING: DETAILS OF AN AGGRESSIVE DRILL AND EXERCISE PROGRAM

Abstract

ABSTRACT With 1997 comes a second triennial period of exercises following the implementation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). Exercises should now be performed in more of a testing environment than in a training environment. Aggressive exercises seek to test response plans and spill management teams rather than to provide opportunities for training. Aggressive exercises also require that one learn by taking risks and making mistakes. Consequently, for this aggressive style of drills and exercises to succeed, regulatory authorities must acknowledge risk taking when they are evaluating exercises. Though training will always be a focus, at least in some elements of response exercises, it should become more specific and compartmentalized while the remaining bulk of the response is being tested. Because aggressive exercises require full agency representation, joint exercises should be considered a way of reducing the number of industry-led drills while achieving credit for multiple plan holders.