Bay Area Oil Spill

Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed state of emergency in Bay Area oil spill.

The public is still urged to avoid oil impacted areas and wildlife that are affected without first receiving appropriate training, 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.

Members of the public without proper training should not attempt to collect the oil or oil contaminated debris, since it needs to be disposed of properly to prevent broader contamination and exposure to the oil can be hazardous to your health. If you have collected oil, it should NOT be added to regular trash, as this may negatively impact the environment. Oil and trash containing oil (such as rags or paper towels) should be double bagged, labeled as oily waste, and picked up for proper disposal by calling (415) 398-9617.

To find more information regarding available volunteer opportunities and trainings please visit the Web sites of the following organizations:

The Volunteer Center Serving San Francisco and San Mateo Counties

The Volunteer Center of the East Bay

Baykeeper

Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin

For more information about the Oiled Wildlife Care Network:

Oiled Wildlife Care Network


*Related News Clippings

Birds return to sea; oil-spill survivors released after cleanup
11/17/07 San Jose Mercury News

Schwarzenegger Opens State Investigation into San Francisco oil spill
11/15/07 San Francisco Sentinel

Novatans respond to oil spill
11/14/07 Novato Advance

Southern California Fires

Listen to Maria Shriver Discuss the Importance of Volunteerism to Assist Fire Victims Recover in Governor’s Weekly Radio Address

View message from CaliforniaVolunteers Executive Director, Karen Baker

To Answer Maria Shriver's Call To Action:

Donations:

To donate goods or money to assist the victims of the Southern California Fires, click the links below:

Monetary Donations

In-Kind Donations

Business Donations Line:
1-800-750-2858
TDD 1-800-735-2929

800 line operational 8:00 am to 5:00 pm PST daily

Volunteer Opportunities:

Be sure to find out where and when you will be needed, how to dress appropriately and what supplies you will need to bring. This may include food, water and personal protective equipment. Keep in mind that during a disaster first responders and disaster relief organizations may be working at capacity and an unexpected arrival of hundreds of volunteers may negatively impact their relief and recovery efforts.

San Diego County

To find volunteer opportunties contact CaliforniaVolunteers' local partner Volunteer San Diego.

Inland Empire

To find volunteer opportunties contact CaliforniaVolunteers' local partner Hands On Inland Empire.

Santa Clarita

To find volunteer opportunties contact CaliforniaVolunteers' local partner Volunteer Resource Center of Santa Clarita Valley.

Orange County

To find volunteer opportunties contact CaliforniaVolunteers' local partner Volunteer Center of Orange County.

Los Angeles

To find volunteer opportunties contact CaliforniaVolunteers' local partner L.A. Works.

As information about volunteer opportunties in other areas affected by the Southern California Fires becomes available, it will be posted here. Check back soon.

General Information about the disaster:

To find more information on the Southern California Fires please visit the Office of Emergency Services Web site.

*Related News Clippings

Wildfire Victims in Need of More Than Just Money
11/7/07 Valley Star

Maria Shriver Discusses the Importance of Volunteerism
11/4/07 Imperial Valley News

And While You Have Your Checkbook Handy…
10/25/07 Wall Street Journal

How to Help
10/24/07 Washington Post

Donations: Needed and Offered
10/24/07 Fox 6 News

Bay Area families open their homes to fire evacuees
10/24/07 San Francisco Chronicle

Hotline to be used for business donations
10/24/07 San Diego Source

Train NOW for Future Disasters

Following a major disaster, most relief organizations and emergency responder agencies are extremely busy, even if they are outside the affected area. Organizations can become overwhelmed with too many volunteers. The best time to sign-up to volunteer is during a non-disaster time. This allows you to train with a disaster relief organization to be ready when the next emergency strikes.

To find a training or volunteer opportunity go to our home page, CaliforniaVolunteers.org, enter your zip code and select “Public Safety and Disaster Preparedness” from the pull down menu. You will receive a list of potential opportunities in your area, such as joining a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

In addition, you can find more information here:

• American Red Cross
• Salvation Army

Disaster Prepardness

10 ways YOU can be Disaster Prepared

1. Identify Your Risk
What are the hazards where you live or work? Find out what natural or human caused disasters pose a risk for you. Do you live near a flood plain, an earthquake fault, or in a high fire danger area? Are you prepared for an unexpected human-made disaster that can strike any time? Does your neighborhood or community have a disaster plan.

Contact your Local Office of Emergency Services


2. Create a Family Disaster Plan
Your family needs a plan that tells everyone: where to meet if you have to evacuate; who you’ve identified as an out-of-state “family contact”; how to get emergency information in your community; and how to take care of your family pets.

OES tips on preparing your family

American Red Cross- information on creating a family disaster plan

Each family member should carry the Family Disaster Plan Card


3. Practice Your Disaster Plan
After you have sat down with your family and written your plan — practice it. Start by having family members meet at a designated spot outside your home — like you would after a fire or after the shaking stops. Know how to respond in the event of any disaster — whether to stay put indoors, or whether to evacuate your neighborhood by car. If your family needs to evacuate, know the proper evacuation procedures and routes as determined by you local OES office.


4. Build a Disaster Supply Kit For Your Home and Car
If you are stranded in your car or have to be self-sufficient at home until help arrives, you need to have a disaster kit with you.

OES’ Emergency Supply Checklist


5. Prepare Your Children
Talk to your kids about what the risks are and what your family will do if disaster strikes.

Tips for Preparing Children


6. Don’t Forget Those with Special Needs
Infants, seniors and those with special needs must not be forgotten.

Tips for People with Disabilities

More disaster preparedness resources for people with disabilities:
National Council on Disability
California Foundation for Independent Living Centers

Tips for the Elderly


7. Learn CPR and First Aid
Contact you local chapter of the American Red Cross today and get trained on basic first aid and CPR. Your training could save the life of a loved one or neighbor following a disaster.

Learn CPR and First Aid with the Red Cross


8. Eliminate Hazards in Your Home and Workplace
You must secure the contents of your home or office to reduce hazards, especially during shaking from an earthquake or from an explosion.

How to Secure Your Furniture

Make Your Home Fire Safe


9. Understand Post 9/11 Risks
Disaster preparedness must now account for man-made disasters as well as natural ones. Knowing what to do during an emergency is an important part of being prepared and may make all the difference when seconds count.

Be Informed – Explosions, Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear Threats


10. Get Involved, Volunteer, Bear Responsibility
Donate blood, join a local Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), educate your neighbor, or volunteer with you local American Red Cross.

CaliforniaVolunteers.org

American Red Cross

Community Emergency Response Teams


Obtain Your Copy of the “10 ways YOU can be Disaster Prepared” brochure
Download a PDF copy of the brochure in 8 languages
Listen to an audio version of the brochure
Order by contacting your county OES office
Order by contacting State OES at (916) 845-8400