Escambia Disaster Response - Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

Escambia County Disaster Response - Update #3

Proactive efforts continue as contractors work to place deflective boom – large floating barriers that help contain floating oil – around sensitive shorelines in Escambia County.

 

Safety Messages

·      Boats

o      Boats should keep a safe distance from any of the booms – large floating barriers that help contain floating oil – seen in the water.

o      Boaters should not drive boats over any booms.

o      Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.

·      Wildlife

o      The public is advised not to attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.

o      If oiled wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401, please provide location of where the oiled wildlife was sighted.

o      An additional concern, May is the hatching season for many birds, reptiles, and shellfish. Please use the toll free number above.

·      Beaches and Waterways

o      Citizens should take precautions to avoid contact with oil substances.

o      Citizens are urged to take caution around the waterways.

o      Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.

·      Personal Safety (If areas are affected by oil)

o      Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave the area right away.

o      Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.

o      Do not swim or ski in areas affected by the oil spill, and if you travel through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If you get oil on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water.           

o      Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters.

o      Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.

o      Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.

o      Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.

o      Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.

o      Additional information and frequently asked questions from the Escambia County Health Department can be found at www.escambiadisasterresponse.com.

o      Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.

           

Businesses Information

·      Businesses, including hoteliers, sport fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc., that may be negatively impacted are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records and track any cancellations, should a claim need to be presented.

·      BP has established a claim system and toll free number for people to call. This system will allow people to being to process to recover lost income or recoup damage related expenses.

·      Claim line toll free number – 800-440-0858.

·      BP is asking fishermen for their assistance in cleaning up the oil spill.

o      The Vessels of Opportunities Program is looking to contract shrimp boats, oyster boats and other vessels for hire to deploy boom in the Gulf of Mexico.

o      Fishermen should call 425-745-8017 about this program.

 

Operation “Clean Sweep”

·      An “Operation Clean Sweep” will be held on the beaches to clean them of any debris before the oil spill reaches the shores to prevent additional contamination. This is a preventative measure that everyone can participate in.

·      On Pensacola Beach, the cleanup will be held Sunday at noon, please meet at the Gulfside Pavilion at Casino Beach.

·      On Perdido Key Beach, the cleanup will also be held Sunday at noon, please meet at the Perdido Key Chamber.

·      Anyone may participate in this pre-cleanup event; please bring your own garbage bags and gloves.

 

Volunteer Opportunities

·      BRACE, United Way and First Call for Help are organizing volunteers for cleanup after the oil reaches the shores. Please call 595-5905 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday to register to volunteer.

 

Volunteer Training

·      Sign-up to be trained for post-beach clean-up, 595-5905.  Phones open at 8 a.m.

·      Registration is required for a four-hour health and safety training classes for handling petroleum-contaminated materials.

·      Classes will be held beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Pensacola Civic Center.

 

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners

·      A local state of emergency was declared by the Board of County Commissioners at an emergency meeting at 2 p.m. Friday, April 30. 

·      The emergency operation center will activate to a level 2 on Saturday, May 1 at 9 a.m. CST. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at that time.

 

State of Florida

·      A state of emergency was declared by Governor Crist today, Friday, April 30. 

·      The state emergency operations center activated to a level 2 today.

 

Citizen Information

·      Citizen information phone lines will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 1 for questions from residents may have. The number will be (850) 471-6600.

 

 Important information

·      Although oil has not yet touched Escambia County shorelines, citizens are asked to stay away from oiled areas and keep a safe distance away from oil containment booms.

·      Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.

·      For more information, see the official Escambia County disaster response site, www.EscambiaDisasterResponse.com.