OSPR’s Spontaneous Volunteer Program developed in 1996, provides an opportunity for concerned citizens to safely and effectively participate in Unified Command approved volunteer tasks during an oil spill event.
We are currently using pre-trained and affiliated volunteers and are now registering public volunteers.
You must be 18 years of age, able to lift 25lbs and follow County Public Health COVID procedures. Tasks may include pre-impact beach cleanup or debris removal. Safety training is required and a training link will be provided to registered volunteers.
Please register here to volunteer: https://apps.wildlife.ca.gov/OSPRVolunteerForm/Default.aspx
Additional volunteer information is available at https://calspillwatch.wildlife.ca.gov/Volunteer and the Volunteer Hotline at 1-800-228-4544.
Oil should only be handled by trained shoreline cleanup assessment teams wearing appropriate protective gear. The public is advised to avoid any contact with visible oil on the beaches. If you spot oil, please contact tarballreports@wildlife.ca.gov.
Air quality monitoring was conducted along the coastline following the pipeline oil spill. The results of the monitoring were reviewed daily by Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH). Water contaminant testing is a slower process and may take between 3-5 days.
While not currently present, the inhalation of toxic oil vapors or other aerosolized oil compound particles from wind-blown waves can cause side effects including:
- Skin, eye, nose and throat irritation
- headache
- dizziness
- upset stomach
- vomiting
- cough or shortness of breath
The elderly, children, and persons with respiratory diseases such as asthma will be more susceptible to adverse side effects from inhaling the oil vapors. Please contact your family physician or call 911 should you experience these symptoms from contacting or inhaling the oil vapors.
The County of Orange and San Diego County Health Care Agencies, in coordination with local, state, and federal authorities will continue to monitor and keep you informed. In addition to the immediate impact on air pollution. In addition, they advise against consuming seafood from personal fishing off the beaches.
The Unified Command’s response priorities are life safety and protection of the environment. The investigation is completely independent of the response. Information about the investigation is available here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/2f67a1a
A Unified Command composed of representatives of the United States Coast Guard (USCG), California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR), and Amplify Energy Corp was established the afternoon of Saturday October 2. A representative of the County of Orange joined the Unified Command on Tuesday October 5 as a local government on-scene coordinator (LGOSC). A representative of the County of San Diego joined the Unified Command on Friday, Oct. 8 as a local government on-scene coordinator.