LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS FOR RESPONSE EXERCISE PROGRAM1

Abstract

ABSTRACT The National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP) was developed to meet the intent of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90). PREP is a unified federal effort and incorporates the exercise requirements of the Coast Guard; Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), Office of Pipeline Safety; and the Minerals Management Service. (MMS). Each year 20 PREP area exercises are held: six led by the federal government and 14 led by the industry. Five of the six government-led exercises are conducted in coastal areas where the Coast Guard is designated as the federal on-scene coordinator (FOSC). One is held in an inland region where the EPA is the FOSC. Each government-led pollution simulation typically involves more than 40 agencies and more than 400 participants. The PREP simulations focus on a geographical community response to a pollution incident with a unified command structure. The unified command is supported by the four basic elements of an incident command system: planning, operations, logistics, and finance. Area PREP exercises create realistic situations focusing on specific objectives. Emphasis is placed on the realism and decision-making process throughout the entire 30 weeks it takes to prepare an exercise. The National Strike Force Coordination Center collects data from critiques and other aspects of the exercise to help create and develop a standard for exercise evaluation. Data collected and lessons learned at each exercise are disseminated throughout the oil spill industry.