News

Posted May 7, 2010

Franklin County Emergency Management Office

MEDIA ADVISORY #3: WEDNESDAY, MAY 5, 2010

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

Here is a summary of local, state and BP response actions to date:

  • Currently, there is no impact to the state beaches, waterways or shorelines; however Franklin County is making preparations to safeguard the county and its shoreline.

  • To maximize protection and minimize possible impact, 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.

  • A local State of Emergency declaration was voted and signed by the

Franklin County Board of County Commissioners May 3, 2010.

  • As part of the planning and preparations, the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners created a Contingency Plan Committee. The committee met today and will resume in its workshop form tomorrow, Thursday May 6, 2010. The purpose of this committee is to discuss options and to make recommendations that will be compiled by the Florida Division of Emergency Management, to forward to Unified Command in Mobile, Alabama.

  • 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).

  • A preliminary beach clean-up is ongoing through Sunday. A total of eight to nine sites are being cleared with the first priority being the interior shoreline. Riverkeepers are leading the mission with federal efforts being used on St. George National Wildlife Refuge.

  • State agencies in Florida as well as several federal agencies

involved in the response to the Deepwater Horizon Incident in the Gulf of Mexico

continue to conduct tests, including sampling of water, fish, shellfish and habitats along the Florida coastline and into the Gulf of Mexico.
  • 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.

  • Officials with the Florida Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental

Protection (DEP) and Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have indicated they have no intention of halting commercial and recreational fishing in Florida until there is evidence that the action is necessary.
  • Governor Charlie Crist extended the existing state of emergency declaration

(Emergency Order 10-100) to include Franklin County and other coastal counties in the Gulf.

For more information go to www.Franklinemergencymanagement.com. The website is updated each evening with current information.