ALCOAST 406/24 - OCT 2024 COMDT (CG-MER) POLLUTION RESPONDER PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION STANDARD (PQS) UPDATES

R 231815Z OCT 24 MID120001486733U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 406/24
SSIC 16000
SUBJ: COMDT (CG-MER) POLLUTION RESPONDER PERFORMANCE QUALIFICATION
STANDARD (PQS) UPDATES
A. ​U.S. Coast Guard Marine Environmental Response and Preparedness
Manual, COMDTINST M16000.14A
1. ​This ALCOAST promulgates the transition of the legacy Pollution
Responder (PR) role to the Environmental Response Investigator
(ERI), along with a modernized PQS. 
2. As part of the ongoing commitment to enhancing safety of CG
personnel and upholding the highest standards of environmental
response, COMDT (CG-MER) is excited to announce a significant update
to the qualification program. The Pollution Responder (PR)
qualification has been rebranded and enhanced to become the
Environmental Response Investigator (ERI) qualification. The new
qualification, ERI, expands focus on the investigative aspect of
incident response.
3. As of the date of release of this ALCOAST, members who have not
yet started the legacy PR PQS are required to use the ERI PQS
workbook to obtain ERI. Members who began pursuing their PR
qualification prior to the release of this ALCOAST are authorized
to continue using the PR PQS but must complete the qualification
no later than six months after the release of this ALCOAST.
4. The Hazardous Material Incident Response (HMIR) course
(Course Code: 242100) is a mandatory requirement for all individuals
pursuing the ERI qualification. This course is designed to equip
personnel with the skills needed to effectively manage a wide
variety of hazardous material incidents. To facilitate a smooth
transition, we are introducing a waiver process that will provide
flexibility as we implement these updated requirements.
    a. In lieu of HMIR, members may use an official certification
from a locally administered 40-hour Hazardous Waste Operations
(HAZWOPER) course to meet this requirement. Once completed, unit
training officers must enter the 40-hour HAZWOPER course in the
Training Management Tool (TMT).
    b. Requests for waiver of the HMIR course requirement must be
submitted to COMDT (CG-MER) via the unit's chain of command; there
does not need to be a waiver submitted if the training requirement
is met through a locally administered 40-hour HAZWOPER course.
COMDT (CG-MER) will address waiver requests on a case-by-case basis
to ensure Coast Guard readiness. Waiver request templates are posted
on COMDT (CG-MER-1)'s SharePoint Site (link in paragraph six)
COMDT (CG-MER) may temporarily waive the requirement of the
completion of HMIR to maintain unit readiness when: a member has
successfully completed all other initial qualification requirements;
and has submitted for at least two HMIR class convenings within the
last six calendar months but did not receive a quota. Members who
are issued a temporary HMIR course wavier will be prioritized for
one of the next HMIR convenings.
5. If ERI is not assigned as a position specific competency, the
unit training officer must assign the ERI competency (competency
code: MARED) to prospective ERIs. Upon a member's completion of the
ERI qualification process, the training officer must enter the
qualification in TMT and Direct Access.
6. This policy will be incorporated into the next iteration of
REF (A), which will be released within the next year.
7. The ERI PQS and resources are available on the COMDT (CG-MER-1)
SharePoint:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cgmer/mer1/FOSCR%20Documents/
Forms/AllItems.aspx?OR=Teams%2DHL&CT=1728320548930&clickparams=eyJB
cHBOYW1lIjoiVGVhbXMtRGVza3RvcCIsIkFwcFZlcnNpb24iOiI0OS8yNDA4MTcwMDQ
yNiIsIkhhc0ZlZGVyYXRlZFVzZXIiOmZhbHNlfQ%3D%3D

8. POC: COMDT (CG-MER-1) LT Allison Wrieden,
Allison.M.Wrieden@uscg.mil, 202-372-2260.
9. Ms. Dana Tulis, Director of Emergency Management (CG-5RI), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.