INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM TRAINING AND EXERCISES: DEVELOPING THE TEAM

Abstract

ABSTRACT Developing and training an Incident Management Team (IMT) is a critical requirement for companies involved in oil exploration, production, and transportation. Companies beginning operations in new areas face high expectations from the local regulatory community and may find it challenging to meet these goals. Training programs for IMT personnel that consist of reviewing regulations, forms, and position descriptions fall far short of preparing the IMT to effectively manage an incident. A more useful approach to IMT training begins in the classroom and quickly migrates to tabletop and “walk-through” training workshops. Walk-through training captures the pace of a drill without the participants feeling any pass / fail pressure. Designing courses in this format requires careful planning and preparation. Instructor staffing must be sufficient to monitor events and ensure training objectives are being met. Involving the regulatory agencies in training builds familiarization and enhances a coordinated response team. Company team members will find the regulatory community eager to participate in walk-through training. This team-building pays big dividends during exercises and actual events. Coordinating IMT training with Spill Response Team (SRT) training promotes communication and strengthens the overall understanding of operational limitations. Using the IMT for non-spill events, such as earthquake or mass casualty incidents, further broadens their understanding of other applications of the Incident Command System (ICS). Members gain an opportunity to fill different roles in their response organization and learn more about the team'S capabilities. This paper highlights the concepts of scenario-based Incident Management Team training and provides examples and suggestions for course material, length, and frequency. Examples involving non-spill incidents are also presented.