When a Unified Command is activated for an oil spill response, CIRCAC staff participates within the Incident Command System (ICS) as a conduit for its stakeholders to bring forth concerns, deliver information, or share local knowledge about the region; and to promote our projects that can add valuable assistance to the response. To be better prepared, throughout the year we participate in oil spill training exercises and drills required under state and federal regulations with Cook Inlet producers and explorers.
Each drill is different and is designed to test one or more aspects of a response plan.
Currently, CIRCAC staff have been involved in providing training in the Cook Inlet Response Tool, other AOOS data portals and the Alaska ShoreZone website for the annual Andeavor/Tesoro drill exercise which will take place at CISPRI (Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response Inc.) headquarters in Nikiski, on November 2.
CIRCAC will have 4 staff in the ICS, as well as office support during the exercise. The scenario focuses on a catastrophic tank release on the Kenai Spur Highway, with oil reaching the Inlet. Details of the scenario will only be revealed to participants at the drill itself.