A marine environmental pollution response specialist with over 20 years of experience in environmental emergency response, emergency response planning and training, technical and policy planning. He had delivered numerous training courses and exercises on contingency planning and response to oil spills and HAZMAT incidents to industry and governments throughout the world.
Has responded to some 50 emergency mishaps such as marine and land-based oil and chemical spills from vessels, trains, industries and natural disasters in the US, Canada and abroad. He has also served as a shoreline cleanup assessment team leader during the response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in Louisiana, USA. He has lead review of governmental emergency programs in order to improve prevention and preparedness activities within a multiple-stakeholders environment.
Provided expert technical and scientific advice to National authorities and oil industry worldwide during marine emergencies, workshop and contingency planning process.
Academic Background
- Masters of Science – Ecotoxicology – Concordia University, Montreal Quebec, Canada, 1994
- Bachelor of Science – Microbiology – Laval University, Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada, 1992
Professional Experience
- Manager – Environment Canada, Environmental Protection Directorate, Quebec Region, Environmental Emergencies Section, 2005 – 2009
- Technical Advisor – International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF), 2003 – 2005
- Emergency Responder – Environment Canada, Environmental Protection Directorate, Quebec Region, 1997 – 2003
- Project Manager – Environment Canada, Environmental Protection Directorate, Project Manager, 1992 – 1997
Other Professional Experience
- Delivered numerous training courses and exercises on contingency planning and response to oil spills and HAZMAT incidents to Industry and Governments in Canada, UK, France, Ireland, Singapore, Taiwan, Egypt, Congo, Kenya, Senegal, Angola, Nigeria, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Belize, Maldives, Montenegro, Iran, Russia and Sudan
- Reviewer of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) training package
- Contributed to the NEB Arctic Review as one of the authors for the State of Knowledge Review on Fate & Effects of oil in the Arctic Marine Environment (document submitted by Fisheries and Oceans Canada)
- Developed a National Oil Spill Contingency Plan for Morocco
- Developed post oil spill monitoring guidelines for the countries of the Black Sea Region
- Developed Emergency Response Guidelines for marine oil and chemical spills for National Authorities of the Red Sea region
- Assisted Nigerian oil industry and government in the elaboration of a dispersants use policy for oil spills from offshore production facilities and sea going vessels
- Assisted Senegalese oil industry and government in the elaboration of a dispersants use policy for oil spills from offshore production facilities and sea going vessels
- Conducted response capacity assessments for France, Belgium and the Netherlands as part of a study on response to oil pollution by ships in Europe for the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA)
- Conducted response capacity assessments for Djibouti and Egypt as part of a study on response capacity to oil spills for the US Navy
- Participated to risk analysis and contingency planning of a gasoline marine terminal
- Provided technical advice to a joint industry-community working group regarding risk assessment and contingency planning
- Participated to the development of a standard operating procedure for dispersants use and in-situ burning for government and industry
- Principal writer for a technical publication from an international organization for the use of dispersants during oil spills
- Developed an air monitoring procedure to protect population during large fires
Languages
Fluent in French and English.