Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Conduct a comprehensive hazard identification and risk assessment to inform ERP development.
• Design an effective Incident Command System (ICS) tailored to the facility's organizational structure.
• Develop detailed response procedures for major incidents (e.g., large-scale fire, toxic release, VCE).
• Establish effective communication and coordination protocols with external first responders and regulatory bodies.
• Plan and execute realistic emergency drills and exercises to test ERP effectiveness.
• Manage the immediate and short-term consequences of a hydrocarbon release (containment, recovery).
• Understand the legal and regulatory requirements for emergency planning and reporting (OSHA, EPA).
• Develop a comprehensive recovery and business continuity plan post-incident.
• Identify critical resources and logistics required for an effective emergency response.

• Emergency Response Team (ERT) Leaders and Members
• Plant Managers and Operations Supervisors
• HSE and Loss Prevention Professionals
• Security and Crisis Management Staff
• Regulatory Compliance Officers
• Personnel involved in training and conducting drills and exercises
• Technical and Engineering Staff involved in pre-incident planning

• Scenario-based Incident Command System (ICS) simulation exercises.
• Group activities on developing a toxic gas release response procedure.
• Case studies of major industrial accidents and the lessons learned in ERP.
• Individual exercises in critical communication and notification protocols.
• Expert-led discussions on drill design and evaluation best practices.

Unit 1: Fundamentals of Emergency Management and Risk

• Identifying credible hazard scenarios in hydrocarbon facilities (PHA, QRA)
• Legal and regulatory framework for ERP (OSHA 1910.120, EPA RMP)
• Defining the scope and objectives of the emergency response plan
• Understanding the emergency lifecycle: preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation

Unit 2: Incident Command and Management

• The function, benefits, and components of the ICS structure
• Roles and responsibilities of the Incident Commander, Command Staff, and General Staff
• Establishing a clear chain of command and unified command structure
• Integrating facility ERT into the broader ICS framework for large-scale incidents

• Developing effective internal and external crisis communication plans and procedures
• Personnel accountability systems and tracking methods during an emergency
• Management of health, safety, and welfare for response personnel
• Protocols for public notification and community engagement

Unit 3: Emergency Response Procedures

• Response protocols for major fire events, pool fires, and jet fires
• Managing vapor cloud explosions (VCE) and blast zone protocols
• Procedures for containment and recovery of oil and chemical spills (on-site and off-site)
• H₂S release management, safe refuge area procedures, and evacuation routes

• Implementing emergency shutdown (ESD) procedures and plant isolation
• Establishing safety zones, exclusion zones, and site access control
• Response procedures for security threats and breaches
• Addressing natural disaster scenarios (e.g., floods, seismic events)

Unit 4: Preparedness, Training, and Drills

• Designing and conducting realistic table-top, functional, and full-scale drills
• Developing a robust training matrix for all emergency response personnel
• Evaluating drill performance using industry metrics and documentation of lessons learned
• Reviewing and updating the ERP based on incident history and drill results

Unit 5: Post-Incident Recovery and Continuity

• Initial damage assessment, incident investigation, and root cause analysis (RCA)
• Developing the short-term and long-term business continuity plan
• Managing regulatory reporting requirements and media relations post-incident
• Legal, financial, and insurance considerations during the recovery phase