National Response System - Essay Example

The people at OSC also need to assess the ability of the local authority or the responsible party for oil spill for handling the crisis. All these activities on a collective basis are known as assessment of the situation. The assessment activities of the OSC are conducted at the start of the response action. This assessment of the situation determines the requirement of various resources such as equipment, personnel for effectively and promptly combating the oil spill.Monitoring The function of OSC also includes monitoring of the actions taken during the containing and cleaning up oil spill throughout the response action as to make sure that they are appropriate.

As per law, OSC has to monitor all the oil spills of a minimum size which has been legally defined. It is necessary although most of the oil spills which are small are cleared by local police or fire departments or the responsible party. If the situation is under control, OSC can do the monitoring from an agency office or from the site itself when it becomes necessary. Response Assistance Once OSC assesses the oil spill, it determines whether it requires the federal assistance for containing and control the spill.

If OSC determines the necessity of the federal assistance, the person who is in charge will request additional resources in the form of equipment and personnel. Reporting NCP requires OSCs report on all activities which takes place throughout and after the spill incident. Take an example OSC has to submit a summary report after the spill which outlines the actions taken to remove the spill as well as assistance offered by various agencies which include local, state & federal levels.