Posted:
October 20, 2011
The PRONAV FlexCrew℠ Salvage Marine Firefighting Network (SMFF), which employs merchant marine officers represented by American Maritime Officers as first responders, in November will see a sharp and prolonged increase in activity as the number of preparedness exercises conducted by Donjon-SMIT is set to grow in anticipation of expanded implementation of U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
AMO officers working as first responders on their vacation time are paid per day of activation for service in the SMFF Network, whether the activation is in response to an actual incident or for a preparedness exercise. The PRONAV FlexCrew℠ SMFF Network of AMO first responders is managed for Donjon-SMIT through the PRONAV FlexCrew ℠ program, and was established and manned early this year through a cooperative effort between PRONAV and the AMO Dispatching Department.
AMO officers in the Great Lakes region who are interested in participating in the SMFF Network can now contact PRONAV directly to apply via the information provided in this article. Active participation in the SMFF Network is considered enhancement work, and AMO officers serving in activations will be paid a per-diem rate by employer Donjon-SMIT.
The PRONAV FlexCrew℠ SMFF Network is currently used by Donjon-SMIT as part of their first responder capabilities. The Coast Guard has viewed this approach favorably and the service is being offered to other salvage organizations. Although several test exercises of the SMFF Network have been successfully conducted, the current frequency of drills may not meet anticipated Coast Guard requirements. Based upon the need for full implementation and training of AMO first responders, Donjon-SMIT has authorized PRONAV to conduct two exercises per month starting in November 2011. The number of exercises will gradually increase to meet the requirement for an annual exercise in each of the 41 U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Zones (COTP).
Donjon-SMIT is using the PRONAV FlexCrew℠ program for their SMFF Network to meet the salvage and marine firefighting requirements implemented by the U.S. Coast Guard for tank vessel response plans (VRP). These new regulations became effective in February 2011 and require prearranged salvage response capabilities in the VRP of each tank vessel calling at a port in any of the 41 U.S. Coast Guard COTP Zones.
AMO members participating in the PRONAV FlexCrew℠ SMFF Network who are available on vacation will be offered an opportunity to participate in preparedness exercises. Compensation will be at the rates listed in their officer assignment letters, less payroll taxes and payable upon completion of the exercise. To maintain an accurate record of the availability of the network participants, PRONAV has begun conducting monthly communication drills by e-mail. The participants responding to these e-mail enquiries will receive preference in selection for the exercises. As notification for these drills and exercises are sent via e-mail, AMO members participating in the network should add the following two addresses to their list of safe senders, which will prevent a delay in receipt of notifications: click here for and . AMO members wishing to join the network should contact Dirk Weihmann directly at (203) 770-5441 or (203) 300-2661 or via .
PRONAV FlexCrew℠ Salvage and Marine Firefighting Network to increase number of exercises for participating AMO first responders
The PRONAV FlexCrew℠ Salvage Marine Firefighting Network (SMFF), which employs merchant marine officers represented by American Maritime Officers as first responders, in November will see a sharp and prolonged increase in activity as the number of preparedness exercises conducted by Donjon-SMIT is set to grow in anticipation of expanded implementation of U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
AMO officers working as first responders on their vacation time are paid per day of activation for service in the SMFF Network, whether the activation is in response to an actual incident or for a preparedness exercise. The PRONAV FlexCrew℠ SMFF Network of AMO first responders is managed for Donjon-SMIT through the PRONAV FlexCrew ℠ program, and was established and manned early this year through a cooperative effort between PRONAV and the AMO Dispatching Department.
AMO officers in the Great Lakes region who are interested in participating in the SMFF Network can now contact PRONAV directly to apply via the information provided in this article. Active participation in the SMFF Network is considered enhancement work, and AMO officers serving in activations will be paid a per-diem rate by employer Donjon-SMIT.
The PRONAV FlexCrew℠ SMFF Network is currently used by Donjon-SMIT as part of their first responder capabilities. The Coast Guard has viewed this approach favorably and the service is being offered to other salvage organizations. Although several test exercises of the SMFF Network have been successfully conducted, the current frequency of drills may not meet anticipated Coast Guard requirements. Based upon the need for full implementation and training of AMO first responders, Donjon-SMIT has authorized PRONAV to conduct two exercises per month starting in November 2011. The number of exercises will gradually increase to meet the requirement for an annual exercise in each of the 41 U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Zones (COTP).
Donjon-SMIT is using the PRONAV FlexCrew℠ program for their SMFF Network to meet the salvage and marine firefighting requirements implemented by the U.S. Coast Guard for tank vessel response plans (VRP). These new regulations became effective in February 2011 and require prearranged salvage response capabilities in the VRP of each tank vessel calling at a port in any of the 41 U.S. Coast Guard COTP Zones.
AMO members participating in the PRONAV FlexCrew℠ SMFF Network who are available on vacation will be offered an opportunity to participate in preparedness exercises. Compensation will be at the rates listed in their officer assignment letters, less payroll taxes and payable upon completion of the exercise. To maintain an accurate record of the availability of the network participants, PRONAV has begun conducting monthly communication drills by e-mail. The participants responding to these e-mail enquiries will receive preference in selection for the exercises. As notification for these drills and exercises are sent via e-mail, AMO members participating in the network should add the following two addresses to their list of safe senders, which will prevent a delay in receipt of notifications: click here for and . AMO members wishing to join the network should contact Dirk Weihmann directly at (203) 770-5441 or (203) 300-2661 or via .