JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A fuel oil spill response exercise will be held by members of the Coast Guard, Navy, federal, state and local response agencies, Tuesday through Wednesday, in Jacksonville, Florida.
This exercise, part of the National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program required under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, is designed to test the Area Contingency Plan, as well as, federal, state, and industry spill response plans. The scenario will simulate a multi-agency response to a release of approximately 250,000 gallons of JP-5 fuel into the St. John’s River.
The exercise has several objectives, some of which include utilizing the National Incident Management System, standing up a Unified Incident Command Post, establishing a Joint Information Center to effectively communicate response activities to the media and public, and streamline communications between all the parties involved.
“Conducting an exercise like this provides an invaluable opportunity to solidify our partnerships,” said Capt. Jeffrey Dixon, commander of Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville. “This exercise will build upon our strengths and provide a chance to identify and rectify any lessons learned before a real world incident. I am grateful to all our partner agencies for their involvement in this exercise, and I look forward to continuing the great relationships we currently enjoy.”
Boaters and members of the public can expect to see increased vessel activities throughout the area west of the Dames Point Bridge to the mouth of the Trout River. Watchstanders in the Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville Command Center will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners throughout the duration of the exercise to notify boaters in the area of the event.
Members of the following agencies involved in the exercise include:
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
U.S. Navy
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Environmental Protection Agency
U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
City of Jacksonville
The Defense Logistics Agency
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department
Jacksonville Port Authority
Jacksonville Spillage Control
For more information, contact Petty Officer 1st Class Stephen Lehmann at 305-213-9235.