By Jennifer Raymond
By JENNIFER RAYMOND
jraymond@thewakullanews.net
To answer questions and concerns from residents in Wakulla County about the oil spill, BP has set up an outreach center in Crawfordville.
The center is located at 2887 Crawfordville Highway, Suite 4.
The purpose of the center is to work directly with the local emergency operations center, said BP representative Chuck Wein.
Wein said someone from the outreach center meets with the EOC daily to receive all updates.
The outreach center also coordinated the recent vessels of opportunity training held on May 24.
They also have plans to coordinate training for volunteers who wish to help clean up along the shores.
"They have to get very special training," Wein said. "They can't just go out there without protection."
BP Representative Grayal Farr said when people receive the special training, they shouldn't expect to be called to help.
The intent, Farr said, it to create a reserve of trained people that will be ready to go if oil hits this area.
"That way we aren't going to be scrambling," Wein said.
Farr said this far east hasn't been affected, in regards to oil.
However, he said fishermen are already being affected because people aren't buying Gulf seafood.
People don't understand that just because something that came from Louisiana might be affected, that doesn't mean something that comes from this area is affected as well, he added.
Anyone who wishes to stop by and talk with Wein or Farr are welcome to.
The office is open, but doesn't have a sign at the road or at the door yet. Wein said he expects to have those soon.
They are also still in the process of unloading and organizing.
To contact Wein, call 454-4065 or Farr at (251) 648-9398.
People can also receive information through the joint information center at (985) 902-5231 or (985) 902-5240.
This center has the most up to date info, Wein said.
