From Classroom to Shoreline

As the emergency response industry continues to evolve, each new challenge becomes an opportunity to improve. In response to these changes, ACME Environmental and Rapid Response Systems (RRS) offered a four-day Boom School from April 7–10, 2025. This boom deployment course provided emergency responders with the latest technologies and strategies to enhance situational awareness and decision-making. The hybrid course combined classroom instruction with field training exercises, incorporating proven deployment and response tactics alongside emerging technologies and systems relevant to today’s industry. During this boom school, students learned the best practices and the latest solutions to develop better incident action plans (IAPs), incident command posts (ICP’s), improve communication, and strengthen their ability to execute current preplanned response strategies.

This course was ACME and RRS’s fourth combined course offered to partners in our industry. To be sure that you don’t miss out on the next course, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn.

Day 1 – Digital Tools Overview & Three Forks Harbor Boom Deployment

The training kicked off with an in-depth exploration of digital response tools provided by Rapid Response Systems, tools that are redefining how spill responses are managed in the field. Students gained firsthand experience navigating ACME and RRS’s proprietary digital dashboard, which is a centralized command view that showcases real-time data retrieved from the field, learning how to fill out digital field forms and generate Incident Action Plans (IAPs). This opening session was more than just an introduction; it laid a critical foundation for understanding how technology can streamline communication, enhance situational awareness, and drastically improve real-time decision-making during emergency responses.

In addition to the digital tools, students received a comprehensive overview of the Incident Command System (ICS) and its role in organizing and executing a successful response. They explored how an ICS functions as the backbone of emergency management—how different sections, such as Operations, Planning, and Logistics, interact to form a unified and efficient response structure. By connecting ICS principles with the tools being used, students began to see how digital and tactical strategies work together for a cohesive, coordinated response.

In the afternoon, training shifted into a firsthand boom deployment at Three Forks Harbor. Students prepped and laid out boom along the shoreline, focusing on correct rigging techniques and proper deployment strategies. The team then deployed the containment boom across the marina at a 45-degree angle, simulating a real-world containment scenario. Emphasis was placed on shore anchoring, ensuring that the boom was securely fixed to withstand harbor conditions and that rigging was done in a manner that would allow for quick and effective deployment. This field exercise translated morning lessons into action, giving students a chance to practice strategy, coordination, and precision in a controlled but realistic setting.

Day 2 – Cascading Boom Deployment at Port 33 on the Verdigris River

Day two pushed the training to the next level with a focus on boom deployment strategies in the Verdigris River, specifically the cascading boom technique, a critical method for strong containment in strong current water conditions. Held on the Verdigris River at Port 33, this session gave students firsthand experience that demands precision, teamwork, and strategic planning.

Students learned how to execute the cascading deployment, a technique involving the careful stacking of boom segments with a 5 to 10-foot overlap. This method is designed to increase containment integrity and reduce the risk of spills escaping through gaps between boom sections. This method is especially vital in environments where water currents can challenge containment systems. The overlapping configuration strengthens the boom system and adds an extra layer of protection to ensure greater reliability.

To further enhance realism, the team incorporated both shore anchoring and mid-channel anchoring using 40 lb. anchor systems deployed from a response boat. This exercise introduced students to the complexities of anchoring in deeper, faster water and the importance of balancing load and tension to ensure stability. The hands-on nature of this drill helped students develop the practical skills required to deploy and secure containment systems in river environments.

By the end of the day, students better understood how boom configuration, anchoring strategies, and water conditions intersect and how to adjust their response accordingly to maintain effective containment. This session was not just about technique, it was about learning to adapt under pressure with the right tools, knowledge, and teamwork.

Day 3 – Shore-to-Shore Boom Deployment in Catoosa

Training escalated on Day 3 with a high-pressure, scenario-based exercise simulating a train derailment and resulting in a spill upriver. Conducted on the Verdigris River in Catoosa, this full-scale drill required students to rapidly deploy boom shore-to-shore, forming a critical containment line to prevent downstream contamination. The scenario was designed to test not only technical deployment skills but also strategic thinking, coordination, communication, and the ability to perform under pressure.

This experience sharpened key response skills, including communication, teamwork, cohesion, and strategy execution. It was a great moment for reinforcing the value of preplanned response strategies, showing firsthand how preparation, structure, and leadership can determine the success of a response.

Day 4 – HAZWOPER Refresher & Decontamination

As part of the 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher training, students engaged in a full-scale decontamination (decon) setup, reinforcing one of the most critical aspects of emergency response: protecting personnel and preventing the spread of hazardous substances. The decon zone was fully staged with designated clean, dirty, and transition areas, and students were taught how to maintain the proper flow of the decon process. From the proper removal of PPE to the containment and disposal of contaminated materials and equipment. Students were guided through procedures for handling both personnel and equipment that may have come into contact with hazardous substances.

The training emphasized the importance of minimizing cross-contamination, establishing control zones with clear communication lines, and understanding the sequence of cleaning steps required for both light and heavy contamination scenarios. This simulation taught participants how to think like a Safety Officer, setting up a fully functional decon area that could be deployed during a spill response.

Do not Wait: Prepare Today for Tomorrow’s Emergencies.

Join ACME Environmental and Rapid Response Systems for our next Boom School and experience hands-on training that builds confident, capable responders. Whether you are new to the field or looking to sharpen your expertise, our hybrid training model ensures you leave with practical skills, real-world insights, and the tools to lead during critical spill events.

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