My future thoughts on Spill Response planning

Since the year 1989 and the start of my spill response career. I have seen spill response organizations enter the spill response industry to become leading OSROs and I Have seen others exit the spill response industry faster than melting ice cream in the summer.

For the past 33years, I have worked, watched, learned, and studied the industry's movement since the beginning of the Jim Obrien ERA

I have seen changes.

I watched Jim lead, and form the spill response industry into what it is today.

Jim, was the industrys commandor

And at this very critical time, there was no one better than Jim to take the lead, I and many other professionals feel the industry could use another like Jim Obrien to reform and regroup the spill response industry for the next generation.

• I watched Jim's knowledge, and I gained from it
• I watched the respect Jim received, and also I gave it to him.

Throughout my career and still today, everyone knew that Jim Obrien was the go-to man when it came to spill response and with pride, I had the opportunity to do what very few had the chance to do, My opportunity was I chance to receive his training from his beginning days. Fact is as a young man of 22 I was his training course, setup boy thus giving verification on my words on the lack of today's training changes.

My point is

But I have yet to see any changes in training requirements that involve the ground personnel as I know for a fact that their knowledge and experience of response can make a major impact and I can promise

these responders are a major component of any spill response.

We all know you can have the best of the best commanders, but if they do not train with and know their responder's abilities and disabilities the spill will have a greater chance to cause harmful impacts to the responder and everything within the environment.

A fact I have learned through my studies; is that years ago the spill response industry knew of the responders to be counted on. But, in today's spill response world, the spill response industry is not as connected to, nor fully aware of the lack of knowledge on the ground level.

Truth hurts, but;

I can tell you the past response methods of friends of a friend who had a lack of knowledge and experience being put into leadership positions on large spills, have about faded out leaving the field almost empty of compassion and knowledgeable responders and in my professional opinion, the above stated should be a major concern and worked on so as not to cause further industry harm.

I can also guarantee I lived at the bottom, been to the top, and studied them both I know where the industry is and that is in

a dire need to step up our game.

As a professional, and a person, with more passion for the industry than 30 leaders together I know what the industry has, and what the industry needs to do to regain the best protection for the responders, the environment, and customers.

Those who love the spill response industry know it is a very dynamic industry that Needs A better Plan to inspire and actively gain the knowledge back of its most knowledgeable responders.

The spill response industry needs Not just a per company plan.

But, rather an industry plan.

I can honestly say this because I have studied and know the fact that, not if a large spill will happen but when it happens the industry will wish it has put an industry plan together.

THE timing and deadline of need, is unknown

Through my many years, I was always taught and now teach. When something is unknown you must treat it as an unknown, and as a professional. I would say the spill response industry's personal experience stats are in an unknown position and in a dire need of becoming known and I can guarantee that Spill Response organizations need inspirational leadership and management for optimal effectiveness.

We need leaders to update the status quo, and inspire, motivate and evaluate the industry to make the changes needed. The industry needs to require every manager to have the experience and knowledge needed to be a leader. If not, I can promise the responders and environment will continue to suffer. Maybe not today but in many years to come.

Keep in mind our industry was created to care about today.

I and other professionals all believe it is well past the time for a full evaluation of what is truly there and not what seems to be there, we must have more than a vision of what can be there, to it will be there. We must test, operate and update all equipment. A full Industry evaluation will be the only true possible way a plan can work to give a full optimal effective response.

Last, but not least Mendoza says,

"To successfully navigate the disruptions of today’s world, we need a new generation of purpose-driven leaders who can inspire others"

We all must lead by example, and create an environment, we all love.

Please understand in my life and as a foot warrior The SPILL RESPONSE INDUSTRY has been My Greatest passion in life and protecting the people and the environment is my drive.

My passion has other passionate professionals expedite the process of Spill Response Industry training and Planning.

[email protected]

504-384-0266