Maritime Mass Rescue Operations

Workshop

Mr. Zack Pickett

Sector Corpus Christi

• Define & discuss maritime Mass Rescue Operations

(MRO) to ensure awareness & understand challenges.

• Inform first responder community on current MRO plan

development.

• Utilize SME’s to develop port specific MRO plan

elements.

• Discuss future MRO exercises

to enhance preparedness.

Workshop Objectives

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Capability Development

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“Civil search & rescue activity characterized by need for

immediate assistance to large number of persons in

distress, such that capabilities normally available to

search & rescue authorities are inadequate”

- International Maritime Organization

Mass Rescue Operation Defined

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• Low probability, high consequence events.

• Requires immediate, well-planned & closely

coordinated large scale execution.

• Involves multiple-agency & multi-mission response.

• Requires simultaneous air, water & land operations.

Attributes of MROs

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• Marine casualty

• Natural disaster

• Severe weather

• Aircraft casualty

• Terrorist action

• Mass migration

• Engineering failure

Potential Causes of MROs

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• Search & Rescue

• Passenger accountability

• Damage control & salvage operations

• Pollution control

• Complex traffic / commsmanagement

Simultaneous Response Actions

• Large-scale logistics

• Medical & coroner

functions

• Accident-incident

investigation

• Intense media interest /

interaction

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A MRO heavily depends on effective and

efficient coordination

In an MRO, you will not be able to do it alone.

Partnership + Planning + Practice

= Preparedness

• Partnership: Identify your partners & formalize your

relationship (MRO plans, mutual aid agreements, etc).

Unified Command will be vital.

• Planning: Identify risks, resources, assets,

coordination, communication. Write it down.

• Practice: Conduct routine training & exercises.

Robust participation is crucial. 8

Port Specific MRO Planning Requirements

Emergency Contact Information

Landing Site Locations

Reception Center, Shelter & Family Assistance Center Locations

Incident Command Post Locations

Sample Organization Chart

Incident Communications Plan

Sample Unified Command Objectives

Sample Critical Information Reporting Requirements.

Medical Service Centers

Medical Transportation Providers

Agencies with Marine Resources9

Participants

Port of Corpus Christi Authority

Nueces County Department of Emergency Management

Texas Department of Emergency Management

San Patricio County Public Health Department

Corpus Christi Fire Department

Corpus Christi Health Department

Nueces County Constable

Port Aransas Beaches Department

Coastal Bend Council of Governments

Texas Parks and Wildlife10

Port of Corpus Christi Authority –Port Police

Port Aransas Harbormaster

Christus Hospital

Port Aransas Emergency Medical Services

Coastal Bend Regional Advisory Council

Texas Department of Public Safety

San Patricio Emergency Management

City of Ingleside Emergency Management

Port Aransas Emergency Management

City of Corpus Christi Emergency Management.

Team Briefs

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Lessons Learned

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Areas for Improvement:

Region to vast for one all-encompassing plan.

Large passenger vessel planning assumption.

Planning assumption of 150 – 650 is people

too many.

Communication challenges - Air to Hospitals.

Organization Chart ICS #207 template.

Lessons Learned

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Best Practices:

Utilize medical, health care, emergency

manager and first responder SMEs.

Cities/Counties are better prepared for these

events than you realize.

Connect, not replicate, our maritime MRO

plan w/their shoreside mass casualty based

plans.

Create an Incident Action Plan (IAP) template.

Preparedness: A Continuous Cycle

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Questions?

Contact:

Mr. Zack Pickett

Zachary.h.pickett@uscg.mil

361-939-041715