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Northview Honors Working Students, Their Employers

Imagine holding three jobs at the same time, plus succeeding in high school. Or attending classes, playing a sport like football or basketball and working a job. Or playing in the band, playing softball, cheerleading or being an NJROTC leader — all while being in high school and working a job.

That’s the story of many of the 34 members in the Diversified Career Technology/Career Education Clubs of Florida class at Northview High School. And many of them have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Tuesday night, the CECF honored students and their employers at their annual banquet.

“We are proud of the people like you that give them the opportunity to work,”  DCT instructor Tommy Weaver told the employers. “It’s been a very trying year with the economy and we appreciate you.”

“Learning to work can be a foundation in your lives,” Dr. Michelle Taylor, Escambia County’s Workforce Education specialist, told the students.

(story continues below photo)

 

Student employees in the program and their employers are:

• Jasey Gibson, Whataburger-Cantonment
• Jessica Bloodsworth, Whataburger-Century
• Dustin Boutwell, Jeff’s Feed & Seed-Flomaton
• Kolbi Cobb, Northview High School-Bratt
• Caitlyn Nall, Escambia Clerk of Court-Century
• Lance Bushaw, Winn Dixie-Atmore
• Samantha Byrd, Arby’s-Atmore
• Stephen Jay, Winn Dixie-Atmore
• Brittany Pete, Whataburger-Century
• Megan Poston, Kmart-Pensacola
• Dakota Stuckey, Northview High School-Bratt
• Maranda Baggett, David’s Catfish-Atmore
• Patricia Boughner, Whataburger-Century
• Brittany Burt, David’s Catfish-Atmore
• Tori Chavers, Piggly Wiggly-Davisville and Subway-Atmore
• Naomi Cooler, Northview High School-Bratt
• Clay Kirby, Winn Dixie-Atmore
• Angela Rodriquez, Northview High School-Bratt and Kentucky Fried Chicken-Pensacola
• Lauren Lowe, Whataburger-Cantonment and Publix-Pensacola
• Colton Maughon, Kaaos Audio-Atmore
• Brittany Peebles, Ron’s Sporting Goods-Atmore
• Magen Weekley, Kohl’s-Pensacola
• Caitlyn Roley, Piggly Wiggly-Century
• Haley Smith, Subway-Flomaton.

Other DCT Class members are:

• Richard Craig
• Branden Hoffman
• Haley Knapp
• Nastassia Peacock
• Aaron Bellamy
• Ryan Busbee
• Aaron Chancery
• Carley Hetrick
• Kayla Rentz
•  Sarah Schachle

Pictured top: Lauren Lowe, who works at both Publix in Pensacola and Whataburger in Cantonment, receives a certificate from DCT instructor Tommy Weaver Tuesday night. Pictured middle: Diversified Career Technology/Career Education Clubs of Florida class at Northview High School. Pictured below: Dustin Boutwell who works at Jeff’s Feed & Seed in Flomaton with Weaver. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning

The National Weather Service in Mobile has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for…
central Escambia County in northwest Florida…
central Baldwin County in southwest Alabama…

* until 445 PM CDT

* at 419 PM CDT…National Weather Service radar indicated a severe
thunderstorm capable of producing quarter size hail…and damaging
winds over 60 mph.  This storm was 4 miles southeast of
Phillipsville…or about 12 miles east of Bay Minette…and moving
east at 15 mph.

* The severe thunderstorm will be near…
rural northwestern Escambia County at 440 PM CDT

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Move
indoors immediately! Lightning is one of natures number one killers.
Remember…if you can hear thunder…you are close enough to be
struck by lightning.

Chance Of More Rain Tonight

Most of the North Escambia area had rain Tuesday, and there’s a chance of rain continuing into Tuesday night.

Here is your official North Escambia area forecast:

• Tonight: A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Wednesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a high near 88. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
• Wednesday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming calm.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 90. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 10 mph.
• Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 91. Calm wind becoming south between 10 and 15 mph.
• Friday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. South wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.
• Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 65. South wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 93.
• Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64.
• Monday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.
• Monday Night: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 68.
• Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 89.

Kindergarten Open House, Registration Tonight At Molino Park

Molino Park Elementary School will hold a kindergarten open house and registration event tonight.

Parents will have the opportunity to meet the teachers and visit the classrooms from 6:00 until 7:30 tonight. Students can also be registered during this time. Students must be five years old by September 1, 2010, to begin kindergarten.

Documents needed for registration are:

• Student’s birth certificate
• Student’s social security card
• Florida immunization record
• Florida physical form
• Proof of residence (current power bill or rent receipt)

(Bring original documents; the school will make copies)

For more information, contact the school at (850) 587-5265.

No Injuries In Highway 97 Rollover Accident

There were no injuries in a single vehicle rollover accident Tuesday morning on Highway 97 north of Molino.

The Florida Highway Patrol says Pamela Barnes, 50, of Stockton, Ala., was southbound on Highway 97 about 7:20 a.m. when she lost control of her 2001 Ford truck. The vehicle rotated across Highway 97, struck some trees and came to rest upside down.

Barnes was charged with failure to use due care and with having no vehicle insurance, according to the FHP.

There were no passengers in the vehicle. Engine 1819 from Molino Station of Escambia Fire Rescue also responded to the call.

Pictured above: The driver of this truck was not injured in a Tuesday morning accident on Highway 97. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Century Councilman Unhappy With Town Clerk Hiring Process

One Century councilman is unhappy with how the town is selecting a new town clerk.

The town’s mayor, Freddie McCall, has interviewed seven of 33 applicants for the open position. He was joined in the interviews by the town’s accountant, Robert Hudson. McCall said the seven were chosen based upon the merits of their qualifications and “what they could bring to the table”.

“We zeroed in on about three, and we are waiting on getting the references back,” McCall said.

But council member Henry Hawkins said Monday night that he wanted to be in on the interview process.

“I asked to be in on that process,” Hawkins said. “We have a right and an obligation to be there. There are some things I am not going to waive.”

“I’m mixed up. I thought it was my job to do that,” the mayor said about the interviews. He said he thought he had been instructed by the council to present the final choice for approval.

“He (Hawkins) just wants to do the hiring himself, is what he wants,” McCall said. “I  was to bring the recommendation to the town and y’all could turn it down if you didn’t approve.”

Council members Sharon Scott, Ann Brooks and Gary Riley said they did not want to be in on interviews for every job candidate, but Brooks said she thought the council should have the opportunity to review the resumes and qualifications of the top seven applicants.

The council voted 3-1 to review the resumes of the top seven town clerk job candidates. Hawkins voted against, while Nadine McCaw was absent due to illness. The mayor will present copies of the seven applicants’ resumes to each individual council member prior to presenting his recommendation for a new town clerk.

Former Town Clerk Dorothy Sims retired at the end of April.

Pictured top: Century Council members (L-R) Sharon Scott, Henry Hawkins and Gary Riley listen Monday night to Century Mayor Freddie McCall explain how he is choosing a new town clerk. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

BP Gives Florida $25 Million For Tourism Ads

British Petroleum agreed Monday to give Florida another $25 million to pay for an advertising campaign promising that the state’s beaches remain open and fishing is going strong even as the company struggles to stanch a massive oil spill off Louisiana’s Gulf coast.

The cash comes on top of $25 million the company has already pledged to help offset the state’s costs in preparing coastal regions for a possible landfall of the oil, which continues to mass roughly 350 miles from the St. Petersburg shoreline.

The announcement came following a meeting at the Florida Capitol between BP chief executive officer Tony Hayward and Gov. Charlie Crist. Hayward also said $15 million each in tourism grants will be distributed to Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

“The big focus now is on how do we get the people of the Gulf Coast back to normal operations, the normal way of life,” said Hayward, who admitted to a British newspaper last week that he assumes his $6 million-a-year job is on the line over the Deepwater Horizon oil-rig disaster.

Hayward echoed Crist in suggesting a theme for the state’s post-spill marketing campaign.

“Florida is open for business. The beaches are open and clean. The fish are biting, and everything is normal down here,” said Hayward.

Last week, Crist said the company should pay the state almost $25 million for a marketing campaign and another $10 million grant to help Gulf coast counties to respond to the sharp drop in hotel bookings and visitors since the April 20 rig accident, which killed 11 workers. Last week, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association president Carol Dover said summer bookings along the Panhandle coast had dropped from their usual 90 percent occupancy levels into the teens, despite industry efforts to calm fears by waiving deposit deadlines and making cancellations easier if oil actually came ashore.

Dover acknowledged Monday that the state had sought $35 million from BP for state and county marketing efforts. “But we’re thrilled to have a piece of it,” she said, adding that while the spill has hurt tourism statewide, “Nothing is as bad as the Panhandle.”

Dover said that with tourists staying away, “businesses have truly hit the 911 button.”

The grants BP announced Monday come on top of the roughly $525 million – or about $17.5 million a day – the company has been spending on efforts to cap the broken well a mile below the water’s surface and cleanup efforts along the coastlines in four states. During the first quarter of the year, London-based BP’s profits averaged $93 million a day, according to media reports.

Hayward, however, was buoyed by signs Monday that the company had begun to contain the leak, which has been pumping more than 200,000 gallons of oil daily into the Gulf. BP said it is drawing about one-quarter of the escaping oil into a tanker ship, using a mile-long tube as a funnel. It also is preparing to attempt to “kill” the blown-out well in coming days, using mud and debris as a cork.

“We have achieved some considerable success,” Hayward said. “We are very confident we have contained the spill in the vicinity of the leak.”

Later, joining the governor in meeting with officials at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, Hayward said, “Over the last 48 hours, we’re beginning to meet with some significant success. I do feel that we have for the first time turned the corner in this challenge.”

Researchers, however, remain concerned that the oil congealing in the Gulf could reach a major ocean current that carries it through the Florida Keys and along the East Coast.

Kathy Torian, a Visit Florida spokeswoman, said the state had already planned a $2.5 million advertising buy to promote the state’s Gulf beaches chiefly to a “drive-time” market stretching through much of the Southeast. But she said the additional BP cash will allow the state to expand the campaign into major national metropolitan markets, with online, newspaper and television advertising, along with international markets primarily in Great Britain and Germany.

Pictured: BP CEO Tony Hayward and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist address reporters Monday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. Photo by Christian Clements for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge. 

By John Kennedy, The News Service Florida.

New Salvation Army Thrift Store Opens In Pensacola

The Salvation Army in Pensacola opened a new Thrift Store Tuesday in northeast Pensacola.

The store is located in a shopping center at the corner of North Davis Highway and Fairfield Drive, in the former Merritt’s Paint store. It is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

To schedule a pickup for donated items, call the thrift store at (850) 432-1943.

Revenues from the Thrift Store are used to support the many social services of The Salvation Army including:

• A temporary shelter for the homeless
• Emergency assistance with food, clothing, medicine and utilities for needy persons.
• Disaster relief services to communities and families in the wake hurricanes, fire, and other crises
• Summer camps for underprivileged children
• Water aerobics programs for seniors and students
• Toys and groceries for needy families at Christmas
• A Community Center at 1501 North Q Street that provides a gymnasium and sponsors athletic leagues and other positive activities for underprivileged youth.

For more information about The Salvation Army’s services in Escambia County, call (850) 432-1501.

Fire Causes Minor Damage At Century Correctional Institution

Fire caused minor damage Monday night at Century Correctional Institution.

The first firefighters on scene just after 9 p.m. reported a “working fire” on a pavilion. The pavilion is a covered picnic area in the middle of the dormitory building complex. The fire was quickly extinguished. No other buildings were threatened, and there were no injuries reported.

The fire was believed to have started with a light on the pavilion.

The Century, McDavid, Walnut Hill and Molino stations of Escambia Fire Rescue and the Flomaton Fire Department responded to the call, along with Escambia County EMS.

Pictured: These cell phone photos show fire units, including Century’s ladder truck (below), on scene Monday night at Century Correctional Institution. Submitted photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Tuesday’s Escambia Oil Spill Update

Here is the latest Deepwater Horizon oil spill information specific to Escambia County for Tuesday, May 18:

• According to the NOAA oil plume model, the oil spill is 75 miles southwest of Pensacola
• Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. The water is clear and air quality is good.
• All local fishing areas remain open
• According to the NOAA oil plume model, the oil spill is 75 miles southwest of Pensacola.
• No direct surface oil impacts are expected on Escambia County shores within the next 72 hours.
• The State Department of Environmental Protection has reported the tar balls on Perdido Key were not a result of the Deepwater Horizon event. For more information, please contact the Northwest Florida Department of Environmental Protection Emergency Response at (850) 595-8300.
• No surface oil is expected on Escambia County shores within the next 72 hours.
• On Thursday, May 13, three, very small, dime sized tar balls were reported by the state in the Perdido Key area. The state reported these tar balls as a very minor incident and could not confirm that they were related to this incident. For more information, please contact the Northwest Florida Department of Environmental Protection Emergency Response at (850) 595-8300.
• Tar balls are fragments or lumps of oil weathered to a semi-sold or solid consistency, feel sticky, and are difficult to remove from contaminated surfaces. If you observe any evidence of oil on Florida’s coastline, report the incident to 1-866-448-5816.
• The Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center has reported that the half-dozen golf ball size tar balls that washed ashore on Dauphin Island beaches on Saturday, May 8, are believed to be from the Deepwater Horizon spill.
• No information has been provided on the tar balls reported on Gulf Shores beaches and No tar balls have been reported in Escambia County, Florida.

British Petroleum (BP)

• BP is announcing a $25 million grant to the State of Florida to help promote tourism and help mitigate the economic impact of the oil spill. This grant are in addition to the $25 million grants given to accelerate the implementation of the area contingency plans. BP has also provided $15 million tourism promotion grants to Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
• BP has reported over 1,200 claims in the state with approximately $340,279 paid to date to Floridians.
• There are over 1,500 participants in the Vessels of Opportunity Program in Florida with 382 signed contracts and 106 contract activations.
• The Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center has asked that the public help in monitoring boom along the Gulf Coast. Boaters are requested to report sightings of broken, disconnected or adrift boom and are asked to keep their distance from boom especially at night or in conditions of restricted visibility. Please report damaged, vandalized, adrift or stolen boom to: 1-866-448-5816
• To better serve our citizens with their claims, BP has moved the claims office to 3960 W. Navy Boulevard, Suite 16. The office is currently open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, until further notice. Although completely functional, please be patient while the office is being fully developed.
• BP recommends anyone with a claim call 1-800-440-0858 to help expedite the process. By calling the claims number, adjusters at the claims office will have the information prior to your visit.
• The BP community outreach office is still open for citizens at 435 East Government Street. Representatives are available to answer any questions on volunteering, vessels of opportunity program, or any other oil spill related questions. The local phone number is (850) 912-8640 and the fax number is (850) 912-8755.
• The second training class for Vessels of Opportunity was held Tuesday for licensed charter boat captains. To pick up or deliver completed packets, visit BP’s Community Outreach office at 435 East Government Street. For information, call 281-366-5511.
• BP Vessels of Opportunity – see the master vessel charter agreement and vessel requirements checklist online www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.
• Approximately 175,950 feet of boom has been placed out of the Pensacola and Panama City staging areas in support of Unified Command.
• BP officials request residents be wary of scam artists posing as BP contractors. Do not sign any documents in return from money from BP or anyone else until you know the extent of your loss. BP officials carry proper identification badges or business cards.
• BP does not use contractors to contact or solicit volunteers for cleanup. All training offered by BP is free. There are no fees for classes or registration.
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research who is contracted by BP to provide assistance to oiled wildlife. All rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the service and Tri-State. Specific safety and other requirements must be met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation. If you already have wildlife training, call BP at 1-866-557-1401.

Federal (NOAA)

• NOAA modified and expanded the boundaries of the closed fishing area to better reflect the current location of the oil spill, and extended the fishing restriction until May 17. See details.

State of Florida (DEP, FWC)

• The State is reporting that the Small Business Administration has issued an economic injury Disaster Loan Declaration for the state of Florida.
• The fisheries, wildlife and seafood off of Florida’s coast in state waters are safe and there are no alerts at this time.
• Florida saltwater fishing regulations remain in effect as usual
• Governor Crist announces U.S. Small Business Administration approval of disaster loan programs for Gulf Coast businesses. Economic Injury Disaster loans can help eligible small businesses meet the necessary financial obligations they could have met, had the disaster not occurred. Interest rates for businesses and small agricultural cooperatives are as low as four percent, and for non-profit organizations rates are as low as three percent, with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition. Loan applications for economic injury can be filed until the close of business on February 14, 2011. In response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Florida is providing video and audio Public Service Announcements. These items, available for download, can be used to educate the public on response, safety, coast watch and beach cleanup. .
• Report boom vandalism to the Florida State Warning Point (800) 320-0519 or dial #DEP from your cell phone.
• Governor Crist announced today the activation of the Florida Oil Spill Information line which will serve as another resource to provide Florida residents and visitors with up-to-date information on Florida’s response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The line will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week until further notice.
• + Florida Oil Spill Information Line – 888-337-3569
• Governor Charlie Crist has issued an executive order creation an Economic Recovery Task Force to facilitate efforts by Florida businesses and industries in recovering from the loss of business and revenues due to the Deepwater Horizon incident.
• A Legal Advisory Council has been established to assess the impact the potential disaster could have on the state.
• DEP Guidelines for Protecting Shoreline from Oil Spill Impacts
• Homeowners may be able to help prevent oil from reaching private property or damaging sensitive vegetation by utilizing sorbent booms.
• Booming and alternative absorption measures should be coordinated through Escambia County as incorrect boom placement in navigable waterways can create a serious hazard.
• Coordination with state and local entities is important to ensure that booming or alternative measures being used do not impede navigation and are not more harmful to the natural environment in the long-run.
• If a boom is placed by a private citizen, that individual assumes responsibility for the boom, including the chance it could dislodge into the water or be harmful to wildlife.
• Booms placed by private citizens that become impacted by oil are the responsibility of that individual and require special authorization for removal and proper disposal.
• Do not place hay bales, sandbags or other unapproved devices along the shoreline, as the overall debris from disposal of such methods would increase and could cause serious long-term damage.
• Do not attempt to clean impacted beaches or attempt to rescue oiled wildlife. Touching oil is a health risk and disposing of it improperly could cause additional environmental damage.
• Authorized protective measures should be conducted in a manner that provides protection to, and does not disturb, native vegetation, species and their habitat.
• Taking or capturing any species, nests or eggs listed as an endangered species is not permitted.
• For more information on types of protective measures, contact BP’s community information line, 1-866-448-5816.
• The Florida Small Business Development Center Network is part of the state’s EOC Emergency Support Function as a responder for assistance in business recovery. The Mobile Area Commands are fully self-contained and staffed by SBDC Certified Business Analysts experienced in assisting businesses impacted by disasters, including assistance with federal and state disaster loan programs. MACs have been deployed in Escambia County. SBDC staff are meeting with area business leaders and available to provide technical assistance to local businesses. For more information, please visit www.floridasbdc.org/Special Programs/bcrm.asp
• The seafood off Florida’s coast in state waters are safe. There are no health alerts at this time.
• The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has temporarily suspended the restriction on use of purse seines landward of the COLRGEGS demarcation line in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
• Affected businesses should file a claim with BP via the hotline number, 800-440-0858. Additional guidance to help small businesses survive a disaster can be found at www.MyFloridaCFO.com or by calling 850-413-3089 or toll-free 1-877-MY-FL-CFO (1-877-693-5236).
• The state emergency operations center remains at a level 2 activation.

Escambia County Board of County Commissioners and Staff

• The Escambia County Emergency Operations Center returned to a Level 3 operating level (normal day to day operations).
• County staff continue to monitor the situation and will continue to participate in daily briefings with the State of Florida and Unified Command.
• On inland waters (bays, bayous, estuaries, rivers), private property owners may install oil absorbent material, booms or fences on private property above the mean high waterline (MHWL) only. No material may be installed or sprayed below the MHWL.
• On gulf-front property, the use of silt fences, obstructions, hay bales, peat, surfactants or other material is not approved. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the permitting agency for beaches and coastal systems. No obstructions to sea turtle nesting behavior is allowed.
• If citizens see anything unusual on the beaches they feel needs to be reported:
• Contact the Perdido Key Chamber of Commerce at 850-492-4660 on Perdido Key
• Report to the lifeguards on duty on Pensacola Beach
• Deflective boom – large floating barriers that help contain floating oil – has been deployed around sensitive shorelines.
• Boom has been deployed in all locations of the Local Action Plan and Addendum One. Staff continues to evaluate areas and is monitoring all deployed boom.
• To keep waterways open as long as possible, boom will be “wet staged” at some locations. When floating petroleum becomes an imminent threat, boom will be fully deployed. “Fully deployed boom” is described as boom anchored into a functional configuration.
• Environmental staff completed collecting sediment, water and oyster tissue samples and have sent them to a lab for analysis. Staff also completed pre-assessments on air quality.
• Escambia County is evaluating several operational options from contractors for coastal protection and recovery. The county is considering every viable proposal, coordinating with Unified Command and will share information as it is approved.
• A PowerPoint of oil spill response strategies is posted at www.escambiadisasterresponse.com.
• Pteropods, also known as the sea butterfly, have been reported washing ashore on gulf beaches. Pteropods are small, basically clear and sharply pointed larval snails. Although they are fairly sharp, they do not pose a threat to people. They are naturally occurring and not washing ashore due to anything oil-related.
• Residents and business owners with water access on their property should have pre-assessments prepared (photos, video, etc. documenting the current condition of the property).
• The brown foam seen on the beaches recently is not associated with the oil spill. This is a common natural occurrence, especially in the spring, when fish are spawning and there are hard winds, rain, and wave action.

Local Beaches

• Pensacola Beach and Perdido Key remain open. The water is clear and air quality is good.
• SRIA lifeguards continue patrolling beaches for oil from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• In the event beaches are impacted by the oil spill, it may be necessary to issue health advisories to protect health and safety.
• The Florida Department of Health will issue advisories as they become necessary for the area of affected water and shoreline.
• Beaches above the high tide line should remain open for sunbathing, walking, shopping and restaurants.
• The exact area for the advisories will be determined at the time oil is reported.

City of Pensacola

• The City of Pensacola continues to coordinate with Escambia County officials.

Training Opportunities

• PEC Premier, a BP contractor, will begin free six-hour para-professional training classes in Pensacola on May 17. This is not volunteer training. This course is not a guarantee of employment, but provides credentials needed to be hired for spill cleanup work by BP contractors.
• See the class schedule.
• E-mail horizonresponse@pecpremier.com to register.
• The county has offered free volunteer orientation training for more than 900 citizens. If you completed the county’s training, your contact information has forwarded to the appropriate volunteer organizations. As the need for volunteers arises, you will be contacted.
• If you would like to be considered for future volunteer opportunities, contact the BP volunteer hotline at 1-866-448-5816.
• The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has determined volunteers cannot be used in any situation where they may come in contact with oiled shorelines or oiled wildlife.

Safety Information

• If you see a tar ball on the beach, DO NOT PICK IT UP. Report it to 1-866-448-5816.

Wildlife

• Do not attempt to rescue oiled or injured birds or wildlife. Doing so can cause additional injuries.
• If oiled, injured or dead wildlife are found, call the Oiled Wildlife Hotline at 1-866-557-1401. Please provide location of where the wildlife was sighted.
• Remember that May is the hatching season for many birds and reptiles.

Boats

• Boats should keep a safe distance from the booms. Do not drive boats over booms.
• Boat owners are urged to dry-dock boats.
• Do not drive your boat through slicks or sheens.

Beaches and Waterways

• Citizens should take precautions around waterways to avoid contact with oil substances.
• Officials are closely monitoring potential public health and environmental concerns.

Personal Safety (if areas are affected by oil)

• Avoid areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If you see or smell oil, leave immediately.
• 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.
• 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.
• Those near Florida’s Gulf Coast may detect an odor because of the oil spill. Some people are more sensitive to these odors and may experience nasal irritation and feelings of nausea. In combination with seasonal allergies, such as sensitivity to pollen or pre-existing respiratory conditions such as asthma, some people may experience more severe symptoms.
• Individuals who have pre-existing medical conditions, such as asthma or other respiratory illness should contact their health care provider if feeling symptomatic.
• Report oiled shorelines to 1-866-448-5816.

Business Information

• Florida emergency management and economic development staff are gathering information from businesses impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Please complete their survey and help shape Florida’s response to this event. The survey will be updated periodically, so please check back, as your specific situation and information may change with time.
• BP has established a claim system and toll free number, 1-800-440-0858. This system will allow people to begin the process to recover lost income or recoup damage-related expenses.
• If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, 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 at www.uscg.mil/npfc.
• Take detailed records of cancelled reservations. It is important that when these cancellations occur, the canceling party is questioned whether the cause is because of the oil spill. If the answer is yes, keep a record of the person’s name and contact information, and also the revenues lost as a result of the cancellation.
• Businesses, including shops, restaurants, sport fishing charters, watersports rental companies, etc. that may be negatively impacted, are asked to keep detailed profit and loss records should a claim need to be presented.
• Calculate estimated losses for a six-week period and be able to provide records, sales receipts and documentation to support your claim. One good option is to compare business to a five-year average of revenues between May and June, which can offer insight as to the damages incurred.
• Make a detailed list of assets, including non-structural, and include appropriate records to support the list. Example: if your hotel or restaurant is within walking distance to the beach and that beach has oil reach its shores, the business’s assets could be damaged even though there is no physical damage to the structure. It is important to record this depreciation.
• To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.

Citizen Information

• The Citizen Information Center line remains open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 850-471-6600.
• Florida Oil Spill Information Line is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, 1-888-337-3569.

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