Responders Conduct Spill Exercise

Emergency responders from across Ohio gathered in Cleveland this week to participate in a preparedness response exercise.

Exercises such as this one are designed to improve communication, planning and emergency response proficiency across local, state and federal agencies in the event of an oil spill in any navigable waterway, like the Cuyahoga River.

"Today's exercise was a big success and an excellent opportunity for numerous agencies and organizations to gather and practice working together in a unified command setting," said Cmdr. Jerrel Russell, the commanding officer of the Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit Cleveland.

The exercise was based on a scenario in which a large vessel hit a submerged object in the Cuyahoga River, resulting in a discharge of around 40,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the river.

"We appreciate the support from everyone involved, and especially Great Lakes Towing for allowing the use of their facility, and Interlake Steamship for providing the Dorothy Ann and Pathfinder,” Russell said. “Everyone involved benefited greatly.”