Oil Spill: Latest Escambia County Information

May 2, 2010

Here is the latest emergency operations center information for Escambia County:

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

Actions by Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff

  • County Commissioners and staff participated in a DEP briefing with the Governor.
  • Emergency Management officials continue to communicate with the State of Florida liaison at unified command.
  • A meeting of all essential local emergency support agencies was held on Saturday, May 1 and another will be held on Sunday, May 2.
  • County staff is coordinating with the Santa Rosa Island Authority on equipment necessary for the response effort.
  • County staff is coordinating with the Escambia County Health Department on health and safety information.
  • The Perdido Landfill has coordinated with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and is prepared to accept oil contaminated sand and materials from commercial haulers.
  • Emergency management has been in contact with the Visitor’s Information Center to encourage businesses to track losses.
  • Pre-qualified debris contractors and consultants have been contacted and are ready to respond.
  • Environmental staff finished the initial assessments of pre-oil spill conditions and will perform aerial assessment on Sunday, May 2.
  • Environmental staff are reviewing waterways and conducting a comprehensive inventory of waterways that have been boomed, waterways that have not been boomed, and prioritizing the remaining areas.
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff are taking information for the priority areas and mapping the locations to determine the amount of boom that is still needed.
  • County officials are working through state and federal channels to request equipment, manpower, training and other resources that may be needed for long-term recovery.
  • 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 activated to a level 2 on Saturday, May 1. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at this time.

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. The focus will be on local beaches.
  • Items to be picked up include: paper, plastic, glass, any other man-made debris.
  • Anyone may participate in this pre-cleanup event. Your safety is the number one priority.
  • Wear rubber soled, closed toed shoes, hats, and preferably, long pants. Bug spray, sunscreen and water is also highly recommended.
  • This information is provided to help minimize safety risks, such as slips, trips and falls, use of improper lifting techniques, use of improper shoes, dehydration, heat stroke, sun burns and others.
  • Volunteers will be briefed at the cleanup locations for deployment.
  • Please bring your own garbage bags and gloves; goggles will be provided, if desired.
  • Driftwood and seaweed can be moved above the high tide water line; shells can be left.
  • Once your bag is full, leave it on the beach for pick up. Escambia County Public Works staff will be picking up bagged litter from the beaches from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
  • 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, 15500 Perdido Key Drive.
  • Volunteer response activity will be from noon to 3 p.m. We thank you for volunteering.

Safety Messages

  • Boats
    • Boats should keep a safe distance from any of the booms – large floating barriers that help contain floating oil – seen in the water.
    • Boaters should not drive boats over any booms.
    • Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.
  • Wildlife
    • The public is advised not to attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.
    • If oiled wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife hotline at 866-557-1401, please provide location of where the oiled wildlife was sighted.
    • An additional concern, May is the hatching season for many birds, reptiles, and shellfish. Please use the toll free number above.
  • Beaches and Waterways
    • Citizens should take precautions to avoid contact with oil substances.
    • Citizens are urged to take caution around the waterways.
    • Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.
  • Personal Safety (If areas are affected by oil)
    • Avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave the area right away.
    • Avoid direct skin contact with oil, oil-contaminated water and sediments.
    • 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.
    • Do not fish in the oil spill-affected waters.
    • Do not harvest and eat dead fish, fish with oily residue or fish that have a petroleum odor.
    • Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.
    • Young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and individuals with underlying respiratory conditions should avoid the area.
    • Restrict pets from entering oil-contaminated areas.
    • Additional information and frequently asked questions from the Escambia County Health Department can be found at www.escambiadisasterresponse.com.
    • Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.

Businesses Information

  • Businesses, including hotels, 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.
  • 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.
  • Fishermen should call 425-745-8017 about this program.

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.
  • Registration is required for the class. Classes will be held beginning Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Pensacola Civic Center. Once the class is full, additional classes will be scheduled.

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.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive