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Monday, May 10, 2010

Oil Spill Training

Self Training & Virtual School:

Okaloosa County:
Training sessions for response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill have been scheduled for Okaloosa County and are available at no cost. Training will consist of three modules (the modules are only offered as 1 & 2 combined, or 1, 2, & 3 combined):
Module 1 – 45 minutes: Designed for volunteers who will be assisting in the removal of clean debris and would not come in contact with spilled oil.
Module 2 – 45 minutes: Designed for persons working at a staging site.
Module 3 – 4 hours: Designed for personnel who will be having direct contact with contaminated materials, such as Humane Society, Friends of Beaches, Turtle Rescue Operations, etc.

To register, send an e-mail with the subject line “Fort Walton Beach Oil Response Training” or “Niceville Oil Response Training” to horizonresponse@pecpremier.com. Include your name, a contact telephone number, and your preferred training date/time/location. Alternately, you may call 1-866-448-5816 and register by phone.

Walton County:
Walton County Sheriff:
www.waltonso.org
Training Application:
http://www.waltonso.org/WCSO-Oil-Volunteer-App.pdf


Santa Rosa County:

Some training is occurring now in Milton. For information call 983-4636.
http://www.santarosa.fl.gov/oilspill/documents/BPTrainingSchedule.pdf 


Escambia County:
www.BeReadyEscambia.com/training .The Citizen Information Line will be able to register people for classes who do not have computer access between the hours of 8a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. The Citizen Information number is (850) 471-6600. They will continue to add additional classes as these fill up.



Bay County:
The Red Cross is asking for volunteers to help clean up the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.: If you're interested in volunteering in Bay County for the oil spill, you can e-mail your name, phone number, and e-mail address to:oilspill@redcrosscpc.org




Vessel of Opportunity:
To become eligible for the Vessel of Opportunity (VoO) program, candidates must first: participate in a local orientation/training sessionregister the proposed vessel for evaluation, andsign a contractual letter of agreement.

For more information visit: http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/542683

BP to offer training in conjunction with OSHA and the Coast Guard.
Health, Safety and Environmental Training has been a key focus to properly prepare those interested in participating in shoreline clean up. The training is fit-for-purpose based on whether you are a volunteer, contractor or vessel owner. The Post-Emergency Spilled Oil Response Training Modules were prepared by Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), with review and approval provided by BP, Occupational Safety & Health Administration and US Coast Guard personnel.

The training is for those registered in the Vessel of Opportunity program or as a contractor who wants to participate in clean up. The non-contaminated beach clean up "volunteers" will receive a basic BP health, safety & environmental orientation which as been endorsed by OSHA and the the Coast Guard.

To be included as a volunteer, please contact the BP volunteer hotline at 866-448-5816. Your contact information will be gathered and you will contacted when opportunities arise in your area. If you are interested in assisting in shoreline oil spill clean up operations, and you live in one of the coastal states (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama or Florida), you can request placement in a spill response course by emailing Horizonresponse@pecpremier.com. This course is not a guarantee of employment but provides credentials needed to be hired for spill cleanup work by BP contractors.

For more up to date information, visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com.





Oil Spill Training - Volunteers - Paid Work
It has been sometime since my last update. I know you have all been inundated with news and rumors regarding the BP oil spill. I am trying to help you all sort through the massive amount of information out there, valid and not.

I spent some time today at the new BP office in Pensacola, 435 E. Government Street. I learned quite a bit about the volunteer/training/employment issue. Please share this email with anyone you know in the Gulf Coast who might be interested.

For those of you that have taken the 4 hour “Personal Safety” course you will be able to assist organizations in their efforts, not BP.

If you want to be on the front lines you will have to take the new 6 hour OSHA training being offered. And, you will have to be hired by BP; they will not be allowing any volunteers to work directly in cleanup efforts. I was told that this is because as an employee you are covered by their insurance, volunteers are not. They are constantly updating OSHA training schedule here: http://pecpremier.com/

The very first introduction to the Vessels of Opportunity (VOO) program happened in Apalachicola and Pensacola yesterday. Other introduction sessions will be happening in counties throughout Florida and are not being announced publically. Rather, they are contacting marine and fishery groups to announce these meetings as they are geared toward boat owners only. This introduction meeting (3 hours!!) is NOT required to participate in the VOO program, it is simply an information gathering opportunity. What are required are a signed contract and a 4 hour class for all crew (the OSHA 6 hour class mentioned above is NOT required for the VOO program). Once you have submitted a signed contract and attended the 4 hour class you are now qualified to be hired by BP for oil response. However, you will not be allowed to work directly in cleanup operations (instead you may lay boom or other supportive roles). If you are interested in participating directly in cleanup efforts (in the VOO program) you and your crew will have to attend a 40 hour “Hazwapper” class (paid for by BP of course). ONLY those folks who are contacted and asked to assist in cleanup efforts will be told of the time/date of the 40 hour class.

I hope this helps to clear up much confusion out there regarding training and volunteering. My next report will be regarding health impacts of this unfortunate mess.

Just a reminder that our Gala is coming up next Saturday, May 22nd. Information can be found and tickets can be purchased online at emeraldcoastkeeper.org/gala. $30 each or two for $50 in advance, or at the door for $40 each. We are a non-profit completely dependent of the support of our members and generous sponsors. Thank you to all of you who help us in our fight for swimmable, drinkable waters!

Chasidy Fisher Hobbs
Coastkeeper
Emerald Coastkeeper, Inc.
o: 850-429-8422
chasidy@emeraldcoastkeeper.org
www.emeraldcoastkeeper.org
We need members to help in our fight for clean water. Please Join NOW: www.emeraldcoastkeeper.org/donate
Proud member of
WATERKEEPER Alliance
http://www.waterkeeper.org
"Never underestimate the power a few dedicated citizens have to change the world, indeed that is all that ever has" Margaret Mead



Paid Oil Spill Work:
This batch of folks will need to be from Mississippi, Alabama, Florida. If you are in Louisiana, send me your info and we'll find a connection there. 6 days - 10 hours a day general labor. Hourly rate + overtime and daily meal allowance. 40 hour training next week in Panama City Beach. Send me names of people who can come to training next week. Contact jcarter@starpros.com.














The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge










www.ecwildliferefuge.com
850.650.1880
406 Mountain Drive
Destin, FL 32541


The mission of the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) is education, conservation and rehabilitation for the welfare of Florida’s natural fauna.
The ECWR is a not-for-profit organization made up of a caring staff and dedicated volunteers. Its headquarters and refuge are currently located in the heart of Destin, Florida. Over the past 13 years, the ECWR has cared for thousands of animals in need of help – from stranded dolphins to injured eagles to orphaned foxes. The ECWR is mainly supported through the generous donations of local residents and businesses.
To make a donation in support of the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge's ongoing programs, 




Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico 2010
The Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge continues to monitor the oil spill, and expect at minimum to be involved in the rescue of many sea turtles and marine mammals. The impact on birds in our area is as yet unclear, but we are prepared to respond to oiled bird calls as well.
We are working closely with NOAA, USFWS, FFWCC, BP, Okaloosa EOC, and many other agencies and groups to plan our response in order to provide the best care possible to wildlife impacted by the spill.

We want to emphasize that when and if oil reaches our beaches, only those with specific hazmat training will be allowed on the beach. If you would like to receive that training there are several agencies working to provide it. For the most current information on hazmat training contact the BP Community & Volunteer Hotline: 1-866-448-5816.

We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and concern during this tragic event. Our biggest need at this time is for people who are willing to answer the phone at the refuge. You will respond to callers' frequently asked questions and refer them to the various agencies in charge of the effort.. Remember, every effort is important and valuable. Please email Susan at slevielle@ecwildliferefuge.com, with the words "Phone Duty" in you subject line if you are able to come in to answer the phone. Please include your availability.
While We are not currently seeking volunteers specific to the oil spill we are always looking for volunteers. Our next volunteer orientation is scheduled for 5 June, and you can email Susan with the words "Volunteer Orientation Sign up" in the subject header for deatils.
Now more than ever, the ECWR also needs the assistance of our trained volunteersin day-to-day operations. If you are already an active volunteer, please check your calendars and give Susan a call if you have some extra time to lend a hand.
Thank you all for your patience and support, I have been in personal contact with a friend that has worked spills all over the world, and she thinks this may be the one of the worstever...so we will need you.
I want to re-emphasize that we are ready and able to respond to oiled wildlife, and are on call 24/7. Oiled wildlife will be suffering from shock, hypo or hyperthermia, and stress and is typically stabilized for 24 - 48 hours before washing begins. If you find a suspected oiled animal please call the BP Oiled Wildlife Hotline: 1-866-557-1401,  immediately. You can also call us directly at 850-650-1880.
Please remember that once the oil is on the beach only individuals with specific training will be allowed onto the beach to conduct rescues, and under no circumstances should you handle a suspected oiled animal.

I realize that the information about volunteering has been confused and at time inaccurate, for our part we are logging everyone who calls and will forward any solid informationas we get it. As our response duties and needs become clearer, we will of course contact you with those needs.
P_
Patrick Gault
Assistant Director/Biologist
ECWR

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