Oil Spill: Latest Escambia County Information

May 3, 2010

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

Actions by Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff

  • Escambia County has ordered an 20,000 additional linear feet of boom for staging as gaps are identified.
  • Officials continue to monitor coastlines.
  • The volunteer pre-cleanups on Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key went well today.
  • VeruTEK Technologies demonstrated an environmentally friendly solution that helps break up the oil to PBS&J, one of Escambia County’s contractors. The next step is for the company to present this to Unified Command as an option for oil spill cleanup.
  • A community meeting of Escambia and Santa Rosa County staff, Santa Rosa Island Authority members and officials from DEP and BP will meet at the Pensacola Beach Community Church (916 Panferio Drive) on Monday at 2 p.m.
  • SRIA lifeguards began a 24/7 watch for oil approaching the shoreline this afternoon, Sunday, May 2.
  • The EOC will remain at level 2 activation for Monday, May 4. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at this time.
  • Meetings of all essential local emergency support agencies are being held daily.
  • Pre-qualified contractors and consultants have begun coordinating with county staff on the disaster response
  • Environmental staff is continuing assessments of pre-oil spill conditions and performing aerial assessment.
  • Public Works staff is conducting a pre-assessment of roadways and parking areas near water access points, in the event of damages during long term recovery.
  • Environmental staff are confirming pre-assesments on air and water quality, and identifying any gaps.
  • County officials continue working through state and federal channels to establish a process for resources and equipment.
  • Proactive efforts continue as contractors work to place deflective boom, large floating barriers that help contain floating oil, around sensitive shorelines in Escambia County.
  • Emergency Management officials continue to communicate with the State of Florida liaison at unified command.
  • County staff is continuing to coordinate with the Santa Rosa Island Authority on equipment necessary for the response effort.
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff are mapping the locations to determine the amount of boom that is still needed.
  • County staff is continuing to coordinate with the Escambia County Health Department on health and safety information.
  • The Perdido Landfill 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.
  • 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.

Volunteer Opportunities & Training

  • BRACE, United Way and First Call for Help are organizing volunteers for cleanup after the oil reaches the shores. To register to volunteer, please call 595-5905 betten 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
  • Registration is required for a four-hour health and safety training classes for handling petroleum-contaminated materials.
  • BP will hold two training classes on Monday and two on Tuesday. Due to the response, a waiting list has been established. Registrants will be notified about how to sign up for classes.

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.

Businesses Information

  • BP has established a claim system and toll free number, 800-440-0858. This system will allow people to being to process to recover lost income or recoup damage related expenses.
  • If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, there is an additional avenue for assistance available through the Coast Guard once BP has finalized your claim. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process can call the Coast Guard at 1-800-280-7118.
  • More information about what types of damages are eligible for compensation under the Oil Pollution Act as well as guidance on procedures to seek that compensation can be found below and at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
  • To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.
  • 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. Call 425-745-8017.
  • 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.

Citizen Information

  • The Citizen Information Center phone is open for questions from residents, (850) 471-6600.

BP Actions

  • 18,000 feet were placed in Escambia County today
  • Per BP, 80 percent of booming material has been placed, mostly in long sections. The remaining 20 percent will be placed in smaller areas.

Federal Actions

  • NOAA is restricting fishing for a minimum of ten days in federal waters most affected by the BP oil spill, largely between Louisiana state waters at the mouth of the Mississippi River to waters off Florida’s Pensacola Bay. Effective immediately. Details: http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov.

Contact Numbers

  • Transocean hotline: 832-587-8554
  • MI Swaco hotline: 888-318-6765
  • BP Investor Relations: 381-366-3123
  • BP family hotline: 281-36-578
  • BP third party contractor hotline: 281-366-5578

Actions by the State of Florida

  • County Commissioners and staff participated in a DEP briefing with Governor Charlie Crist on Saturday, May 1.
  • A state of emergency was declared by Governor Crist on Friday, April 30.
  • The state emergency operations center has activated to a level 2.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under Archive