Clean Rivers Cooperative partnered with Dan Smiley (Terminus Inc, WSMC, Gallagher Marine Services), and Mark Curtis (Crowley Marine) to produce this hybrid in person/webinar. The Conference, MCed by Dan Smiley and was broadcasted via Zoom Webinar from the Clean Rivers Cooperative Operations Training Facility. The Tactics Conference was created in response to the cancellation of the usual annual Clean Pacific Conference for 2023. The event that took place on August 31, 2023, was a great opportunity for the Cooperative to showcase the training facilities capabilities as a meeting space as well as utilize the Cooperatives audio/visual equipment that made the conference a success. This event provided Cooperative staff with the opportunity to network with industry peers, keep up with the latest industry trends and learn about new issues and solutions happening in our industry today.
The day was comprised of six sessions that included a host and a panel of speakers who have made large contributions in the Maritime and Emergency Response fields.
Session 1 “Women in Power in Emergency Response” was hosted by Jenny Johnson – Maritime Inclusion Partners and featured panelists Susanne Lagoni – Nexus NW, Alisa Praskovic – Port of Tacoma, Cheryl Surface-Incident Resource Consultants, and Agneta Dahl-NJ Resources. This panel discussed the challenges, accomplishments, and shared experiences of women responders over the past decades. They highlighted what has changed for the better and what work is still to be done to equalize the opportunities for women responders.
Session 2 “Marine Firefighting Forming a Unified Command” hosted by Dan Smiley included panelists Todd Duke-Resolve Marine, Kevin Perry – Gallagher Marine, Jim Elliot-Teichman Group, and Don Doyle-MFSA/FPAAC. This group discussed Marine firefighting tactics, recent responses and the challenges forming a Unified Command between the Fire Department and the OSRO.
Session 3 “New Technologies for Response” hosted by Curtis Cannizzaro-Merchants Exchange was comprised of four individual speakers who gave presentations. Christopher Hall-Alaska Clean Seas shared a power point presentation on the modern equipment used in extreme low temperatures and the communication systems needed for a Command Post in a remote region where a typical all onsite Command is not possible. Sarah Behrman-Oregon DEQ gave a presentation via power point regarding the situational communications platform newly adopted by the state of Oregon. Nic Winslow-BNSF Railway presented on AD-hoc GRP SSO/NFO strategies and tactics for inland waterways. And John Newhoff-Portage Bay Solutions demonstrated the abilities of the proprietary software app “Easy 213” that simplifies the ICS 213RR approval process.
Sessions 4 “Empowering the Next Generation: Strategies for Recruiting Young Talent” and 5 ” Engaging the Next Generation of Responders: Overcoming Industry Challenges and Cultivating Future Talent, were both hosted by Mark Curtis-Crowley Marine. Session 4 featured panelists Tom Wiker- Gallagher Marine, Patrick Gallagher- Marine Exchange of Puget Sound and Jenny Johnson-Maritime Inclusion Partners. The panel discussed hiring challenges, changing work dynamics as well as what the younger generations are looking for in a job and an employer. Session 5 included panelists Sara Zeman-Marine Exchange of Puget Sound, Robert Day-Crowley Marine, and Edmund Saldana-Crowley Marine. This group shared their experiences looking for work in today’s environment and shared some incorrect stereotypes of the younger generations.
Approximately 80 people attended or participated in this event – either in person or remotely. Several attendees joined in remotely from as far away as Florida and New Jersey. And one panelist made the trip from Houston, TX to be on site. Crowley Marine generously provided snacks and lunch for the onsite attendees. Audio visual tech production was performed by Polly Hyke of Clean Rivers Cooperative.
