U.S. Coast Guard calls on TEEX for oil spill control training

COLLEGE STATION – TEEX will train as many as 450 members of the U.S. Coast Guard in Coastal Oil Spill Operations through a five-year USCG contract. Those scheduled to attend the training include members of the three U.S. Coast Guard Strike Teams, which would respond to an oil spill incident: the Gulf Strike Team, the Pacific Strike Team and the Atlantic Strike Team. The 40-hour course is conducted at a waterfront facility in Galveston and provides practical hands-on exercises in spill control tactics and operations, said Kirk Richardson, Training Manager for Marine and Oil Spill Training with TEEX’s Emergency Services Training Institute (ESTI).

“The Coast Guard continues to call on TEEX because of our established 35-year reputation in the field of oil spill control,” Richardson said. “In addition to Coastal Oil Spill Control, we also offer eight other USCG-approved courses.”

The third Coast Guard course this year in Coastal Oil Spill Control – Tactical and Operations Level was recently completed, and included members from the Atlantic Strike Team.

“The course was very applicable to our mission and the hands-on nature of the curriculum was greatly appreciated,” said Lt. Joel Ferguson, Operations Officer with the USCG Atlantic Strike Team. “While all instructors conducted themselves in a professional manner, I wanted to specifically highlight Michael Clawson. As the course lead, he showed a good deal of adaptability by making sure we were able to incorporate essential field activities in spite of the severe/inclement weather that moved through the area. The field activity was relevant and applicable – which was also appreciated. Thanks for the training.”