APALACHICOLA--The Franklin County Emergency Operations Center(EOC) is activated to a Level Two , or partial activation to monitor the Deepwater Horizon response and its possible impact to the county.

"At this time, Franklin County is safe and has not been impacted by the oil spill in the Gulf." says Director of Emergency Management Pam Brownell. "Like we do for every potential hazard, we are pulling out our plans and making preparations to ensure the county and all those that work and live here are ready for any possible scenario ."

• A local State of Emergency declaration was voted and signed by the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners yesterday, May 3, 2010.

• The Franklin County Board of County Commissioners created a contingency plan committee that will meet Wednesday May 5^th, 2010 to make a recommendation to the Unified Command in Mobile, Alabama.

• Governor Charlie Crist extended the existing state of emergency declaration

• The County Emergency Management office participates in daily conference calls with the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP).

• To maximize protection and minimize possible impacts, there is a coordinated effort between the State of Florida, BP and federal agencies. The Franklin County EOC is proactively planning and preparing for possible impact by securing resources including personnel and equipment.

• Florida counties are working through the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. Counties are providing input with decisions being made at the Unified Command at the U. S. Coast Guard’s Sector.

• Currently, there are no impacts to the state projected through Thursday; however Franklin County in coordination with the State of Florida is making preparations to safeguard the shoreline.

• The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are monitoring health and environmental impacts to Florida beaches and will notice and advisory if conditions become unsafe. At this time, there are no Florida state beach or state park closures.

• Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles H. Bronson has issued a release indicating that seafood currently being harvested in Florida is safe.

• Meetings with local special interest groups will continue should the status of the oil spill change. The Franklin County EOC met earlier this week with the Riverkeepers, The Franklin County Seafood Workers Association and Florida Fish and Wildlife.
  
  For more information go to www.Franklinemergencymanagement.com. The website is updated each evening with current information