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Security Levels
Response
Department
Response Department: (419)
418-6050
Response
Facsimile:
(419) 259-6374
Local
Pollution
Hotline: (419) 418-6050
After-hour
Pollution Number: (419) 392-0324
National
Response Center: (800) 424-8802
The Response Department handles the day-to-day waterways management issues that continually arise on our busy waterways. They are responsible for area maritime security (AMS); implementation of the Maritime Transportation Security Act (MTSA); pollution prevention and response (Oil Pollution Act of 1990/OPA 90); Port State Control Boardings on commercial vessels; waterfront facility inspections; waterways management; emergency preparedness; and hazardous materials and explosives handling on the waterfront. Harbor safety, MTSA, and pollution prevention regulations are enforced through harbor patrols, the inspection of waterfront facilities, and random tank barge transfer monitors.
Additionally, upon the implementation of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) program, the Response Department will be checking vessels and facilities to ensure that all personnel entering into secure/restricted areas per approved facility/vessel security plans are properly credentialed. Until TWIC card readers are installed at facilities, Response Department personnel will utilize portable card readers to perform this task.
The Response Department coordinates a local Sea Partners program that is implemented by active duty, reserve, and Coast Guard Auxiliary members. The Sea Partners Campaign is an environmental education and aoutreach program that focuses on developing community awareness of maritime pollution issues and improving compliance with marine environmental protection laws and regulations.
In the Planning Branch, the Port Security Specialists/Contingency Planners maintain all of the Toledo Marine Safety Unit’s required plans. They also review and approve Facility Security Plans (MTSA-regulated facilities); provide outreach to our maritime stakeholders on a wide range of port security issues; interface with other government agencies on all port security and pollution prevention issues; and coordinate/facilitate several important committees and working groups. These committees and working groups are made up from volunteer members from the maritime and/or regulated communities within our MSU Toledo Area of Responsibility (AOR). They include:
- Toledo Harbor Safety Committee: local, state, and Federal waterway stakeholders who ensure that all waterways users have free and unobstructed use of our Federal navigable waters
- Western Lake Erie Area Committee: maintains the Federally-mandated (OPA 90) Area Contingency Plan (Coastal/Inland) for Oil and Hazardous Substance Spill response for the NW Ohio and SE Michigan coastal zone
- Western Lake Erie Area Maritime Security Committee: comprised of stakeholders from various organizations with the maritime, emergency management, and law enforcement communities who address area maritime security issues and initiatives to ensure coordination, communication, and response to maritime security incidents
The Planning Branch is involved in a broad scope of projects, including, but not limited to:
- coordinating the annual Port Security Grant Program within the MSU Toledo AOR and works with all potential grantees to assist them in acquiring the necessary tools to maintain a high level of homeland security on our waterways
- working with MTSA-regulated facilities on security plan issues, including upcoming TWIC amendments
- providing outreach to facilities on MTSA/TWIC issues
- serving as Homeport Administrators for the MSU Toledo AOR
- conducting the annual risk management analysis for the MSU Toledo AOR
- working on a GIS addendum to the Western Lake Erie Area Contingency Plan for all coastal areas of the MSU Toledo AOR (a multi-year project that will serve as a template for the Great Lakes)
By increasing coordination with regional emergency management agencies, as well as local, state, and Federal emergency responders and law enforcement agencies and participating on the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Response Department has greatly enhanced interagency emergency planning and response training and, concurrently, the level of response readiness in the Western Lake Erie region.
Links:
Application for Approval of Marine EventArea
Contingency Plan
Homeland
Security Grants
MTSA
Help Desk: Hours 0800-2000, Mon-Fri
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& Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICS)