NSF Specialized Response Equipment

Comments:

There are only three National Strike Force teams in the Nation. All three National Strike Force teams have the same level of capability, which exceeds the standards set in the Mutual Aid definition of a Type I Hazardous Materials Entry Team. However, because of their deployment capabilities and versatility, they are simply classified as “Other.” The U.S. Coast Guard National Strike Force (NSF) was created in 1973 as a Coast Guard special force under the National Contingency Plan (NCP/see 40 CFR 300.145) to respond to oil and hazardous chemical incidents. The National Strike Force is comprised of three 40-member Strike Teams and the National Strike Force Coordination Center (NSFCC), which manages, supports, and set standards for the three teams. The three teams are: the Atlantic Strike Team in Fort Dix, NJ; the Gulf Strike Team in Mobile, AL; and the Pacific Strike Team in Novato, CA.

The NSF is recognized worldwide as an expert in preparedness and response to mitigate the effects of oil discharges and hazardous substance releases. Its mandate is to assist and support USCG and EPA Federal On-Scene Coordinators (FOSCs) with their response and preparedness activities to protect the public health and welfare and the environment. Although its three primary missions are pollution response, training, and planning, the NSFCC also houses a Public Information Assist Team (PIAT), which is capable of providing public affairs support as well as crisis communication and Joint Information Center (JIC) expertise to FOSCs during a response.

NSF Qualification Program:
The NSF Qualification Program includes four levels. Although these levels are unique to the NSF, our personnel meet training and skill requirements similar to those established in 29 CFR 1910.120 (g) (6).

Response Member (RM): Is trained in more than 50 areas of oil and HazMat response operations and attains an awareness level of all NSF Equipment. This allows the RM to perform a number of vital functions in a pollution response, primarily assisting the RT.

Response Technician (RT): Is a significant level beyond the RM and is the position reached by most Strike Team members. An RT is qualified to operate all NSF equipment. An RT has also attended pollution response specialist courses and obtained significant field experience on oil and HazMat incidents.

Response Supervisor (RS): Is a level beyond RT and supervises the technical aspects of NSF response operations at oil or HazMat incidents. This includes the preparation, deployment, and operation of all NSF equipment. The RS helps a response in many areas, including directing operations, response planning, resolving site safety issues, and solving technical problems.

Response Officer (RO): Is a senior leadership position filled by a commissioned or warrant officer. An RO manages all aspects of any size NSF response, including response planning, mobilization, and operations. An RO receives significant resident and unit training, and field experience. An RO can fill key positions in a spill management team, direct operations, liaise with senior officials, resolve safety issues, recommend alternative countermeasures, explain policies, and solve crisis management problems.