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Oil Spill Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions
How can I volunteer for the oil spill? Are their job opportunities available? How can I help oiled wildlife? I have collected dish soap, hair, etc. Where can I send it? Guidelines for becoming and oiled-wildlife rehabilitator. (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
How can I volunteer for the oil spill? (Back to top) You can register at www.volunteerflorida.org. This registration database allows organizations involved in the response efforts to choose from a wide variety of volunteers to meet their needs. Please understand, registering does not mean that you will deployed to volunteer. You will be contacted only if the need arises. Local volunteers will be contacted first. Volunteer opportunities connected with the oil spill are limited. We ask volunteers to be patient at this time. The complex nature of oil cleanup, coupled with health and safety concerns, limits the role of volunteers. Volunteers will not engage in any activity directly contacting oil-contaminated materials. Volunteers are not paid. Beyond the beaches, communities are being largely affected by the oil spill. Families are being directly impacted through unemployment and local economic concerns. The health and human service needs, exacerbated by the oil spill, are burgeoning among nonprofits. The following organizations make it easy to find volunteer opportunities in your own backyard:
What can I do now? (Back to top) Use this time to find your passion and make your community a better place! There are many other opportunities to volunteer in your community, which may or may not be connected with the oil spill. Local Volunteer Centers, United Ways, faith-based organizations and other agencies such as Feeding America Food Banks and the Humane Society in Florida offer volunteer opportunities with many organizations. With shrinking budgets, these organizations need YOU so they can continue to provide services that are vital to your community. COAST WATCHER! Visiting a Florida beach? Be a Coast Watcher! Coast Watchers are on the lookout for oiled shoreline and wildlife. If oil is found, Coast Watchers must commit to do the following:
VOLUNTEER TO CALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS! Invite out-of-town family and friends to visit Florida. Much of Florida’s economy relies on tourism. Many would-be tourists have canceled plans for visiting Florida due to the fear of coming in contact with oil. Economies, especially in the Panhandle, have been hit severely, even though there is little impact from the oil. Letting others know that Florida is open for business increases tourism, thereby alleviating some of the economic impact in these local communities. VISIT FLORIDA provides travel advisories around the state and links to local destinations in order for visitors to get the most up-to-date information. BE A TOURIST! Visit the Panhandle area. Eat Florida seafood. Stay informed. ADOPT A PELICAN! Adopt a Pelican and stay informed about how the oil spill is affecting wildlife in the Gulf through Tri-State Bird Rescue. HELP IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY! As Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” There are volunteer opportunities in every community. Find your passion. Give your time. Help your neighbor. The following organizations make it easy to find volunteer opportunities in your own backyard:
How do I get trained? (Back to top) Specific training, if appropriate, will be provided to volunteers before their assignment.
Are there job opportunities available? (Back to top) Job opportunities are available through Florida Gulf Recovery Jobs and the Qualified Community Responder program.
When will I be contacted? (Back to top) When you register with Volunteer Florida, you will receive an email acknowledging your registration. Additionally, you receive emails every one to two weeks keeping you updated with the latest volunteer news. Continue to monitor local news or go to www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com. It is important for volunteers to stay informed. Please understand, registering does not mean that you will be deployed to volunteer. You will be contacted only if the need arises. Local volunteers will be contacted first.
How can I volunteer to help oiled wildlife? (Back to top) The complex nature of oil cleanup, coupled with health and safety concerns, limits the role of volunteers. Volunteers will not engage in any activity directly contacting oil-contaminated materials. This means that you may volunteer at a wildlife facility, but not come into direct contact with oiled wildlife. Other opportunities to volunteer at a wildlife facility might include administrative, clerical, fundraising, technology or expanding the facility to house wildlife. Click here for more information on how you can Adopt a Pelican and stay informed about how the oil spill is affecting wildlife in the Gulf through Tri-State Bird Rescue. Contact with crude oil or crude oil contaminated materials without proper training could be hazardous to your health. Crude oil, as a hazardous substance, requires proper training in order to handle, clean or transport contaminated materials. Please do not attempt to conduct any cleanup or recovery activities on your own.
I have collected dish soap, hair, etc. Where can I send it? (Back to top) Please confirm the need with the organization before collecting any items. Many times organizations do not have the capacity to store or transport donations from the public. There are many other ways you can help! BP has issued a press release concerning hair booms. Please visit www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com for more information.
Other Ways You Can Help! (Back to top) COAST WATCHER! Visiting a Florida beach? Be a Coast Watcher! Coast Watchers are on the lookout for oiled shoreline and wildlife. If oil is found, Coast Watchers must commit to do the following:
VOLUNTEER TO CALL FAMILY AND FRIENDS! Invite out-of-town family and friends to visit Florida. Much of Florida’s economy relies on tourism. Many would-be tourists have canceled plans for visiting Florida due to the fear of coming in contact with oil. Economies, especially in the Panhandle, have been hit severely, even though there is little impact from the oil. Letting others know that Florida is open for business increases tourism, thereby alleviating some of the economic impact in these local communities. VISIT FLORIDA provides travel advisories around the state and links to local destinations in order for visitors to get the most up-to-date information. BE A TOURIST! Visit the Panhandle area. Eat Florida seafood. Stay informed. ADOPT A PELICAN! Adopt a Pelican and stay informed about how the oil spill is affecting wildlife in the Gulf through Tri-State Bird Rescue. HELP IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY! As Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated, “Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” There are volunteer opportunities in every community. Find your passion. Give your time. Help your neighbor. The following organizations make it easy to find volunteer opportunities in your own backyard:
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