From: Depnews [mailto:Depnews@dep.state.fl.us]
Sent: Saturday, May 01, 2010 3:33 PM
Subject: DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE DAY 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: PUBLIC INFORMATION (ESF 14)
SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010 (850) 921-0217
www.FloridaDisaster.org
DEEPWATER HORIZON RESPONSE DAY 2
TALLAHASSEE- – The State Emergency Response Team in support of the Department of Environmental Protection as the lead response agency for the state of Florida is actively monitoring the Deepwater Horizon response. Currently, there are no projected impacts to the state of Florida through Monday, so residents and visitors may continue with weekend activities as scheduled. However, it is possible that some areas along the coast may see indications of oil residue. Should any resident or visitor experience these impacts, please refer to the recommended actions listed below.
Response efforts by the state of Florida to date include:
· The State Emergency Operations Center has activated to a Level 2 or Partial activation.
· Governor Charlie Crist has declared a state of emergency for the counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Gulf.
· The State Emergency Response Team has representatives at the Unified Command at the U.S. Coast Guard’s Sector Mobile, helping to coordinate the efforts to protect Florida’s shoreline.
· The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), county governments, water management districts and several federal agencies are conducting pre-impact assessments, including sampling of water, fish, shellfish, and habitats along the Florida coastline and into the Gulf of Mexico.
Recommended environmental actions:
· There are rapid response teams staged to deploy to shorelines affected by oil to evaluate and determine an appropriate clean-up effort to minimize the impact to the environment. To report any sightings of oil residue, please call BP’s oil report line at (866) 448-5816.
· If any air quality changes are suspected, residents may report them at http://www.epa.gov/bpspill/.
· Residents and visitors concerned about Florida’s air quality may view an up-to-date map with pollutant concentrations at www.airnow.gov.
· Individuals should not attempt to help injured or oiled animals, but to report any sightings to the following toll-free number: (866) 557-1401.
· Homeowners may be able to help prevent any oil from reaching yards and damaging sensitive vegetation by utilizing sandbags or sorbent booms. To obtain more information on these types of protective measures, please contact BP’s community information line at (866) 448-5816.
Recommended health actions:
· At this time, there are no indications of any health risks to Floridians due to the Deepwater Horizon incident. However, any person who is concerned about change in air quality due to this event should contact their primary health care provider.
· As with wildfires and other events that increase particulate matter in the air, consider staying inside, in an air-conditioned room and change the air-conditioner filter to ensure peak performance.
· Avoid strenuous activities outside.
· Anyone who experiences difficulty breathing, shortness of breath or other serious symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
· Should Florida’s coastline become affected by the incident, avoid entering areas where oil can be seen or smelled. If any oil is sighted or smelled, 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 traveling through the area by boat, take precautions when hoisting the boat anchor. If oil makes contact with 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.
· Avoid boating through oil 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.
Recommended volunteer opportunities:
· For information on volunteer opportunities, please visit www.VolunteerFlorida.org.
· BP has established a volunteer program and set up a toll-free number for those interested in volunteering. When calling, interested parties should communicate what they are volunteering for what areas they are available to work in. In addition, potential volunteers may call this line to learn about the training that is required to work in oil spill clean-up operations.
· For information on assisting with the response efforts, please contact BP’s community information line at (866) 448-5816.
For the most up-to-date information on Florida’s Deepwater Horizon Response, please visit www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon. The following is a link to the State Emergency Response Team Situation Report for Saturday, May 1, 2010: http://www.dep.state.fl.us/deepwaterhorizon/files/situation_report3_050110.pdf
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