Ocean Springs News
Ocean Springs Offers Volunteer Training for Basic Safety
Ocean Springs, MS – Area residents are encouraged to attend one of four 20-minute basic safety presentations taught by BP employees on Sunday, May 2 at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Center, 1600 Government Street in Ocean Springs. The presentations will be held in the theater at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. These trainings are basic health and safety training required of all volunteers working with BP on the cleanup. This basic training will not qualify volunteers to do cleanup of oil contaiminated beaches and wildlife.
City officials met with representatives of BP this morning voicing concern on the lack on information provided to the community. The meeting was arranged by Mayor Connie Moran. Attending were representatives from the Pascagoula River Audubon Center and the www.OilSpillVolunteers.com creators, Don Abrams and Melanie Allen. In the initial 24-hour period, these two organizations have registered more than 4,000 volunteers willing to assist in the clean-up effort.
Katie Bright, BP Volunteer Coordinator, said that BP has contacted Tri-State to oversee oiled wildlife rehabilitation. Only certified HAZMAT professionals will handle contaminated materials. Certification is also required for oiled wildlife rehabilitation.
“We are encouraged by the overwhelming response,” said Mayor Moran. “The critical thing now is to ask volunteers to remove debris from the marshes and beaches along the Coast before any oil comes ashore. We will distribute bags and gloves for volunteers at the Mary C. training on Sunday. Other training opportunities for oiled wildlife rehabilitation may eventually be provided, if it is determined by the approproiate contractor that more certified personnel are required.”
“We recognize that local people are eager for information and training,” said Melanie Allen. “Don Abrams and I want to convey to BP that the momentum of volunteers is growing quickly. We want volunteers to have essential information promptly. To assume residents will do nothing is unrealistic.”
Following the training on Sunday, volunteers can help pick-up debris on public waterways and beaches, so it does not become contaiminated once oil reaches the coast line. Dumpsters are located on Front Beach near the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, the Ocean Springs Small Craft Harbor, and Fort Maurepas. Dumpsters are also located on the east and west ends of East Beach.
