What’s Happening: COVID-19 & Preparedness

The Maritime Fire & Safety Association’s mission is to be the leading provider and advocate of safe, environmentally responsible, and cost-effective response services to commercial vessels in the Columbia Willamette River Marine Transportation System.

We have all been challenged recently with focusing on the mission critical aspects of our organizations. For the MFSA that focus is clear. We remain prepared to respond to oil spills and shipboard fires for our covered vessels and member facilities.

As part of the Merchants Exchange, we have taken a proactive approach to managing our operations during this COVID-19 outbreak. We’ve activated the Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Plan (BCDRP) to address staff health and safety while providing essential services to industry.

The MFSA has been in communication with the USCG, Oregon DEQ and Washington DOE to maintain coordinated response readiness. We’ve worked with our contractor, Clean Rivers, to ensure our response personnel remain at the ready. We continue to plan and prepare with the Fire Protection Agencies Advisory Council (FPAAC).

Although in-person meetings and trainings are not currently possible, we’re making use of other means of communication to stay in contact with our stakeholders—such as online trainings and web based meetings. We look forward to returning to normal operations, but want to assure our industry partners that we remain ready to respond.