US NAVFAC EXWC completes oil spill response training

The US Naval Facilities Engineering and Expeditionary Warfare Center (NAVFAC EXWC) has successfully completed oil spill response training at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort in South Carolina, in a bid to boost the capabilities of personnel during such serious environmental crises.

Executed under the NAVFAC Oil Spill Response Program, the exercise involved the navy and marine corps Facility Response Team (FRT) personnel, who are now certified as a First Responder Operation Level as mandated by the Code of Federal Regulations for all personnel responding to an on-water oil spill.

NAVFAC EXWC commanding officer captain Mark Edelson said: "This course is essential for teaching military, DoD civilian and contracted Port Operations personnel what they’re required to know as FRT members, and strategies for dealing with serious environmental emergencies of this type.

"We’ve all seen the environmental damage that results from large and small scale oil spills.

"The navy places a high priority on being good stewards of the environment and preventive classes such as these are an important part of meeting that obligation."

Primarily aimed at FRT leaders and team members, the course is mainly intended for facility spill management team members who are consigned to the Incident Command System Operation and Planning Section billets.

Being the navy’s key activity for facilities and expeditionary technology solutions, engineering services, equipment logistics and products required to train the fleet and comply with warfighter requirements, NAVFAC EXWC also delivers dedicated engineering and technology, in addition to offering logistics and expeditionary systems support for combat force skills.

The NAVFAC Oil Spill Response Program executes over 50 US navy and marine corps Facility Response Team on-water training and certification courses across the world every year.

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