A Message For Franklin County
The following is a unified message from BP and Volunteer Florida, in cooperation with the lead volunteer agencies in Alabama, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. The Apalachicola Riverkeeper is the lead volunteer agency for Emergency Support Function 15 in Franklin County, Florida.
Thank you for your continued support with the volunteer response associated with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. There has been an overwhelming response from across the country. Local support truly makes a difference as we work together to protect our coasts. During the month of May, hundreds of Franklin County volunteers responded to effectively clean all our area shorelines in preparation for possible oil spill impact. Hundreds of others took time away from their work and family duties, in order to become trained, and participate in meetings about oil spill contingency plans and operations.
The complex nature of this incident coupled with health and safety concerns limits the roles of volunteers to non-hazardous activities within their local communities. Volunteers will not be engaged in any activity that puts them in direct contact with oil or oil-contaminated materials. These materials will only be handled by trained responders.
Oiled wildlife will only be handled by trained professionals who will be hired by BP contractors. Volunteers interested in supporting these efforts can get additional information at http://www.nwrawildlife.org.
Your precious service as a volunteer is still needed with other meaningful activities throughout your communities even though volunteers will not be utilized in activities, which involve direct contact with oil.
For ongoing volunteer opportunity updates in Franklin County, go to http://www.oilspillrecovery.org, or contact Volunteer Florida, http://www.volunteerfloridadisaster.org.
Volunteer line: 866-448-5816
Report oil on shoreline: 866-448-5816
Report oiled wildlife: 866-557-1401
This is a bulletin concerning how coastal residents can be on the lookout, and report, banded migratory seabirds. This is very important information to help them determine survival rates of previously oiled birds after rehabilitation.
The Apalachicola Riverkeeper is working with Franklin County Emergency Operations Center to coordinate volunteers for preparation, response, and recovery efforts from the anticipated and actual impacts of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Volunteers
Individuals desiring to volunteer time and labor for response efforts in Franklin County can register online.
Organizations
Organizations needing volunteers for oil spill preparations, response, and recovery can submit requests online.
Training
Go to the training page for information about training opportunities.
Donations
Go to the donations page for information about donating to the recovery effort.
