2003

In 2003, we responded to more than 200 actual emergencies on behalf of our clients. We also conducted more than 200 emergency response exercises including seminars, tabletop exercises, functional exercises and full-scale exercises.

We were involved in a series of Homeland Security related training courses and exercises in the State of Louisiana. Working with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, the Louisiana Office of Emergency Preparedness and several parish (county equivalent) response organizations throughout the state, we designed and conducted over 20 bio-terrorism response exercises. These exercises tested the readiness of the various organizations and involved notification and communications challenges, EOC coordination, activation of the SNS, and mass decontamination set-ups at various hospitals. Additional challenges included communications with first responders, media and community communications, security and of course the significant logistics issues that are associated with an incident that can tax local and state response resources.

Also in 2003, we designed and facilitated a Homeland Security Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) exercise for the port of Tampa, Florida. The exercise, named “Operations Alliance”, was designed to simulate a terrorism incident with a possible WMD component within the port of Tampa. It tested the capabilities of participating agencies including the FBI, US Coast Guard, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Hillsborough County, City of Tampa and Tampa Port Authority and other agencies that would be involved in a real threat to security in the Tampa Bay area.

In addition to Homeland Security related exercises, The O'BRIEN'S Group was involved in providing comprehensive exercise programs to our clients who are required to comply with the U.S. National Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (NPREP). Exercises were developed, conducted and evaluated to meet the client’s specific objectives. Development typically included a scenario, simulated injects, ground rules and participant manual. Exercises were conducted with experienced controllers to guide and coach participants to meet the exercise objectives. Personnel, with actual response experience, using written criteria, conducted the exercise evaluations. Exercise reports including clear and concise recommendations and complete exercise documentation were delivered to the clients. These clients included several large industry companies such as CITGO, Shell, BP/Amoco, Unocal, ConocoPhillips, ChevronPhillips Chemicals, and many others. Additionally, we conducted Incident Command System (ICS) response training and a tabletop exercise for the University of California, Irvine. We also developed a three-year exercise program in compliance for the NPREP program for the Savannah River Co-op and its members.

As a subcontractor to the U.S. Government, we provided emergency spill response expertise in Iraq during and after Gulf War II - Operation Iraqi Freedom. This included the development of remediation plans and providing training to personnel to operate various types of emergency response equipment. We spent approximately 6 months in Iraq performing emergency response management and remediation services.