• 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 will begin a 24/7 watch for oil approaching the shoreline beginning today, Sunday, May 2.
• 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 finished the initial assessments of pre-oil spill conditions and performed aerial assessment on Sunday, May 2.
• 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. This is a minimal activation with only specifically involved agencies activating at this time.

Operation “Clean Sweep”

• An “Operation Clean Sweep” was held on the beaches to clean them of any debris before the oil spill reaches the shores to prevent additional contamination. This is a preventative measure focused on local beaches.
• We thank you for volunteering.

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 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
• Registration is required for a four-hour health and safety training classes for handling petroleum-contaminated materials.
• Registration is required for the class. BP held the first training class on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Pensacola Civic Center.
• Additional classes are being scheduled. Due to the response, a waiting list has been established.

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.
• Report oiled shorelines to 866-448-5816. Report oiled wildlife to 866-557-1401.

Businesses Information

• To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor or submit information on alternative response technology, services products or suggestions, call BP at 281-366-5511.

• 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.
• 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.

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.

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

Citizen Information

• The Citizen Information Center phone lines opened at 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 1 for questions from residents may have. The number is (850) 471-6600.

Important information

• For more links to responding organizations and contact information, see the official Escambia County disaster response site, www.EscambiaDisasterResponse.com.