November 15, 2007
An Overwhelming Response from Oil Spill Volunteers
As promised, it was on last night in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. There were lots of people on hand to learn about how dey can hep with the clean up of the Cosco Busan oil spill
Check out our new Hazardous Materials training badge certified by the EPA. How many people showed up for training? What can you do to get trained yourself? Find out after the jump.
Well, Kill The Spill told the tale of the overwhelming response in real time last night. They estimate 700-800 folks showed up for training. At least 570 were able to get their certification badges by 11:00 PM anyway.
Of course there are pros and cons of having a volunteer system like this. But last night showed us competent government employees working well together to get something done. That's quite a difference from just a few days ago when volunteers had good cause to believe they were going to get training only to show up and not get trained at all.
Folksy, friendly governmental representatives.
Now, about those badges. Please don't get disappointed if you don't get to do what you want to do during clean up. The certification is limited in some ways, and it's only good for this particular disaster. See the other side of the badge:
It will make a good souvenir after all this is done
If we haven't scared you off and you still feel like it, please get trained yourself.
Everything is in flux these days, so it's good to doublecheck before you attend a scheduled training. Where? Well, if you live in San Francisco and you have a question about the govmint, One Call to our new 311 telephone service Does It All.
But more specifically, check out The Volunteer Center at volunteercenter.net. You are welcome to register with them to get updates. There's the BayKeeper website as well.
Stay safe and keep up the good work. The Feds are just blown away with how much the Bay Area populace wants to help out. Good for us.
"Thur 11/15 Update: CleanUps + More Volunteer Training Sessions
Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2007 by zunawahine
It was impressive to see a turnout of 700-800 folks at the San Francisco volunteer training sessions yesterday (Wednesday). Due to a huge turnout, the officials condensed the training and turned it into two sessions, 6pm and 8:30pm. We’ll post the content of the training program and tips shortly.
TODAY’S 11/15 OCEAN BEACH CLEANUP - 8am on @ Lincoln
Ocean Beach remains closed. Cleanup begins at 8am today Thursday, at Lincoln and Great Highway. Crew will move northward. Please sign in at the red tent with your official ID. Cards from other official training sessions (including Pacifica, etc.) are accepted.
Remember, have someone else help you taking on/off your Tyvek suit. DO NOT reuse it, and make sure you’re careful where you step and ensure you’re not tracking oil into your car, house, etc.
CLEANUPS ELSEWHERE:
There is also an East Bay cleanup going on that you can join (Berkeley Marina?). Cross check by dialing 3-1-1. Other sites haven’t posted the location.
To join NON-OILED beach cleanups in Marin, Limatour, HMB, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (we assume certification is not required), visit here: http://www.uscgsanfrancisco.com/go/doc/823/182066/
SAN FRANCISCO TRAINING
Saturday, 11/17: 8am-noon | Location: County Fairground’s Hall of Flowers, GG Park, 9th & Lincoln
Saturday 11/17: 1pm-5pm | Same as above
BERKELEY/EAST BAY:
Saturday, 11/19: 8am | 1900 6th Street, Berkeley
HALF MOON BAY:
Thursday 5pm - IDES Building, 735 Main Street. Sponsored by San Mateo County Alerts (SMCalerts.info)
Saturday 8am - Location TBD"
"GET TRAINED & CERTIFIED TO VOLUNTEER ON BEACH CLEAN-UP: Wednesday, November 14, 6:00-10:00pm
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is offering a training for volunteers at:
County Fair Building, Golden Gate Park
(inside the Lincoln Way and 9th Avenue entrance to GG Park)
San Francisco
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide training to certify volunteers for participation in San Francisco and Bay Area beach cleanups. The training will include instruction and safety guidelines necessary for successful cleanup of beach-related hazardous waste operations. The certification training will allow volunteers to take part in organized beach cleanups for the duration of the recovery effort. Volunteers who participate in beach cleanups must be able to lift five pounds and be comfortable working on their feet for extended periods.
Light supper will be provided at the training.
NEXT TRAININGS IN SAN FRANCISCO:
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 8:00am-Noon, Location: TBD
Saturday, November 17, 2007 1:00-5:00pm, Location: TBD
BEACH CLEAN-UP
The public is still urged to avoid oil impacted areas and wildlife that are affected, as untrained people can cause further damage to the environment and stress on the wildlife. The public is also reminded that allowing your dogs to run on impacted beaches will create even greater stress for injured wildlife by forcing birds back into the cold water. Concerned citizens should call 415-701-2311 to report any sightings of oiled wildlife.
WILDLIFE RESCUE
The rescue of oiled wildlife requires significant training to avoid further injury to birds, other animals or volunteers themselves. The state wildlife rehabilitation center in Cordelia has limited opportunity for volunteers (in Cordelia only) for tasks such as cage cleaning, and other general support of rehabilitation processes. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and in good health, and are required to participate in training. Information regarding these opportunities can be found at http://www.owcn.org or by calling 800-228-4544.
Approaching oiled animals will often result in driving them back to contaminated water where they are exposed to greater risk and out of reach of rescuers. You CAN help affected wildlife by immediately calling 877-823-6926.
DONATE
Another way to help is to donate to organizations at work to support cleaning up this event. Visit the International Bird Rescue and Research Center at http://www.ibrrc.org/donate.html"
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Thansk again for this summary post.
So the Feds are surprised at the public response? See fellas, this is what happens when the general populace isn't beaten down and has an interest in the world around them. Local rights! Not just for freak big-L Libertarians anymore.
what do you look like jim? we were there last night too.
we went to ocean beach this afternoon for a few hours of work. those of you beach fire lovers that don't use the fire-pits are really making it hard on us volunteers that just want to pick up oil. smaller pieces of charcoal look too much like the toxic stuff.
the orientation guy at the beach told us they'll be there from 6am to 6pm for weeks.
big crowds expected this weekend.
I'm always undercover, like that Mike Bauer restaurant guy.
I hope people all have good experiences with this program
Certification not required in Marin? Tell that to the geezers that got tasered. Ha.
Nobody was tasered in Marin.
Wishful thinking:
http://www.marinij.com//ci_7430910
Nobody was tasered in the bay area having anything to do with this entire oil spill.
Dude was cuffed before he could be tasered.
He said "don't tase me bro" most likely. That usually works.
that is good work sidmund. maybe this will get marin county off their ass sooner so we can all go up there and help. your dsw card will work on any beach when they open it for volunteers.