Oil Spill Response Team

Selected members of our experienced oiled wildlife response team travel to spill locations in emergencies and to establish and train volunteers from the affected region in the recovery and rehabilitation of the local wildlife. Of course, the desired way to handle a spill is to be prepared before time! The members of the team travel to locations to train local volunteers BEFORE it happens! (See "Oil Spill Training" from the menu at left.) But....if it has already happened, the recovery team will need the following to have a successful recovery effort:

The Site

Site selection if very important!

A site must be selected that is close to the spill area and also close to a major road, if possible (supplies must be trucked in and contaminated water must be trucked out.) In addition, the site must provide the following definable areas:

1. Triage - Sheltered area where at least 4 examining tables can be set up to stabilize wildlife.
2. Intensive Care Area - A quiet out-of-the-way area for very ill wildlife where veterinarians may work.
3. Bird Washing - Sheltered area where teams of washers can set up as many stations as necessary to wash birds quickly and efficiently. Water and hot water heater system sufficient for 400+ gallons of water per hour*. Fire hydrant is useful.
4. Rehabilitation Area - Outside area, weather permitting, to set up pens and swim pools to accommodate different species and appropriate needs. Swim pools are necessary to promote water proofing. If weather doesn't permit, sheltered areas are necessary (warehouse).
5. Supply Area - Sheltered area for donated and bought supplies that will be used for the rehabilitation.
6. Office Area - Space for office accommodations for daily briefings with key people, volunteer sign-up, orientations and hazardous materials training (HAZ-MAT) for new volunteers.
7. Rest Area and First Aid Station - volunteers will need to retreat to quiet places to eat, rest and receive first aid if necessary.

Equipment

The following equipment will be needed in the quantities noted:

15 Rescue kits standing by for duty! (For details of how to make these kits, see the "Oil Spill Training" section of this site.)

Qty. Item Est. Cost (US $) 15 Wildlife Rescue Kits   6 15 gallon wash tubs   6 heavy duty conference type tables   1 400 gallon/hr. hot water system* $5,000   various hoses & collars $200   various pumps $2,000   water pressure pumps $1,000   ground-fault-circuit-interrupters (O.S.H.A.)     protective suits, gloves, goggles (O.S.H.A.)     "Dawn*" dishwashing detergent     towels     heat lamps     medications   15 55 gallon drums for storage/transport of contaminated water surplus   admin/misc. $1,500

 

Volunteers

Rescue/recovery/rehabilitation of wildlife is a very human intensive effort. As a guide, the 1993 Tamp Bay oil spill was a spill of just under 400,000 gallons of petroleum products. That spill used close to 4,000 volunteers over a period of 3 months time. Volunteers are broken up into major committees as follows:

• Operations Control
• Medical
• Washing
• Rehabilitation

In addition, there are many specialized assignments including:

• Volunteer Coordination
• Supply Control
• Procurement
• Communications
• Water/Land Rescue Units
• Construction
• Security
• Wildlife Patrol
• Public Relations

As you can see, spill recovery is no small feat! For help in planning before a spill happens or after one has happened, contact Save our Seabirds immediately!

* A hot water system of this size is very difficult to obtain quickly! It should be gas-fuel fired, have a "manifold" water distribution system, and generally must be mounted on a large truck trailer-bed due to its size. For help in obtaining/design of this system, contact SOS.

* "Dawn" is a trademark of Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH, 45202, USA