Preparedness for Response Exercise Program (PREP)
  • Exercise is one of the primary mechanisms for validating plans and an integral part of preparedness. PREP is the guidebook as to how partner agencies do this.
  • Co-owned by four agencies (USCG, EPA, Department of the Interior (DOI)/Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), and Department of Transportation (DOT)/ Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) - PREP are the OPA exercise requirements and associated policies consolidated into one guidebook.
  • The PREP Guidelines address two exercise domains: FRP and VRP plan holder exercises and area exercises to test ACPs.
  • Under EPCRA, LEPCs are required to conduct exercises to test and validate their community response plans. Exercises are also a part of FEMA’s Emergency Management Performance Grant Program.
Many people standing in a circle having a meeting
Two people on a boat pulling equipment out of the water.
Facility/Vessel Plan Holder Exercises Area Exercises (On-Scene Coordinator driven)
  • Qualified Individual (QI) notification exercises
  • Remote assessment and consultation exercises (Salvage and Marine Fire Fighting) for vessels
  • Emergency procedures exercises for vessels
  • Emergency procedures exercises for facilities (optional)
  • Incident Management Team (IMT) exercises
  • Shore-based salvage and shore-based marine firefighting management team exercises for vessels
  • Equipment deployment exercises
  • Government-Initiated Unannounced Exercises (GIUEs)
  • Quarterly Area Notification Drill
  • Annual Area Incident Management Team Table Top Exercise (TTX)
  • Annual Equipment Deployment Drills
  • Quadrennial Area Full Scale Exercise (FSE)