Region 6 RRT By-Laws (revised August, 2013)

Region 6 RRT: Who We Are                                                           

    RRT 6 is the federal component of the National Response System for the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The Region 6 RRT is composed of representatives from sixteen federal departments and agencies and each of the five States. 
    It is co-chaired by the Chief of the Removal Branch from the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) regional office in Dallas, Texas, and the Incident Management & Preparedness Advisor (IMPA), of the United States Coast Guard's (USCG) Eighth District Office, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. 
    The RRT usually meets twice a year at various locations throughout the region.There are 13 Regional Response Teams (RRTs),
one for each of ten federal regions, plus one for Alaska, one for the Caribbean, and one for the Pacific Basin. Each RRT maintains a Regional Contingency Plan (RCP) and has state, as well as federal government, representation.  
    The standing RRTs are planning, policy and coordinating bodies and do not respond directly to the scene. The RRT provides
assistance as requested by the On-Scene Coordinator during an incident.
    Additionally, the Region 6 RRT is responsible for preparedness activities including planning, training, and exercising to ensure an effective response to releases of hazardous substances and oil spills.

Region 6 RRT: Goals                                                      

    Under the NCP, Section 300.115(b)(2): The incident-specific Regional Response Team shall support the response, coordination, and other efforts of the designated On-Scene Coordinator/Remedial Project Manager [as well as State, Tribal, and local response organizations] at the scene of a discharge or release. Under the NCP, Section 300.115(i):  
    The standing RRT shall recommend changes in the regional response organization as needed, revise the Regional Contingency Plan as needed, evaluate the preparedness of the participating agencies and the effectiveness of  Area Contingency Plans for the federal response to discharges and releases, and provide technical assistance for preparedness to the response community.  
    The standing Regional Response Team shall be responsible for Regional planning and coordination of preparedness and response
actions. 

Region 6 RRT:  Mission Statement

    The mission of the Region 6 Regional Response Team (RRT) is to protect public health and safety and the environment by ensuring coordinated, efficient, and effective support of the federal, state, tribal, local, and international responses to significant oil and hazardous substance incidents within Region 6, as mandated by the National Contingency Plan (NCP). 
    We are also committed to providing for the development of the Regional Contingency Plan (RCP), as well as Area Contingency Plans (ACPs) and coordination of preparedness activities prior to a pollution incident by addressing regional and international issues and providing guidance to industry, State Emergency Response Commissions (SERCs), Tribal Emergency Response Commissions (TERCs), and Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPCs).