Department of Environmental Conservation staff participated today, with staff from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services, U.S. Coast Guard, NOAA, Albany County Health Dept., Albany County Local Emergency Planning Committee, City of Albany Fire dept. and Port of Albany, in table top exercises hosted by Global Partners LLP. Table top exercises are discussion-based sessions where team members meet in a classroom setting, and through in-depth discussion of different scenarios, examine their roles and responses during an oil spill emergency.

The goal of these exercises is to identify and implement actions that will improve response and preparedness efforts in an emergency. This is the latest in a series of actions the state has taken to safeguard New York's residents, communities, waterways and lands from potential serious incidents involving the increased shipment of volatile crude oil by rail or vessel in the state.