REQUEST FOR WILDLIFE PARAPROFESSIONAL INFORMATION
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with Tri-State Bird Rescue &
Research (Tri-State) who is contracted by British Petroleum to provide
wildlife assistance for species who may be impacted by the recent oil spill
in the Gulf of Mexico. The Service recognizes Tri-State’s expertise in
wildlife oil spill response and, while many wildlife organizations and
individuals have expressed interest in providing their assistance, all
rehabilitation efforts must be coordinated through the Service and
Tri-State. Coordination is vitally important for recovery and research
efforts, and specific safety requirements and other requirements must be
met before anyone will be allowed on-site for any participation.
The Service and Tri-State have designated a Paraprofessional Coordinator
(PPC) to compile a list and organize scheduling of potential responders
providing the information requested below. Paraprofessionals located within
the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas will have
first preference in scheduling and will be scheduled for efforts located
within their home state. If you are located outside of these states and
are interested in providing wildlife assistance, please submit the same
requested information. All responders will be contacted by the PPC when
their assistance is needed.
State rehabilitation organizations, permitted wildlife rehabilitation
organizations or private rehabilitators can help now by providing the
following information if you would be available to assist in the oil spill
response efforts. You must include your name, address including city and
state, phone number (prefer cell phone and alternate numbers), email
address, if you have prior oil spill experience, and how far you can
travel, as well as:
a. If you are a Rehabilitator with at least 6 months of experience;
b. What species you have experience with, i.e. wading birds, raptors,
pelagic seabirds,
waterfowl, etc. It would also be beneficial to know if you are a
veterinarian or an avian
veterinarian, a veterinary technician, or a well-seasoned
rehabilitator;
c. If you have a minimum of 4 hours of HAZCOM certification;
d. If you have Rabies pre-exposure shots;
e. Your availability. (this can be a rough estimate by identifying
dates available)
Please direct inquires or any calls about your interest in providing
wildlife assistance to ********** or to 404/679-7049.
A paraprofessional is defined as individuals that:
1. Either possess, or work directly under a person possessing, an active
permit or authorization related to the species to be worked on;
2. Are affiliated with a wildlife organization working within the
Wildlife Branch of the Incident Command Structure (ICS),or are a staff
member of a wildlife Trustee agency;
3. Agree to work under, and abide by, appropriate planning documents
prepared by the Unified Command (such as Site Safety Plan, Incident Action
Plan, public affairs requirement, etc.) and
4. Have a working knowledge and experience (at least 3 months) with the
general protocol, procedures and safety hazards associated with working on
the species of question.
Anyone who does not qualify as a paraprofessional and is still interested
in volunteering, may register at Gulf of Mexico- Deepwater Horizon Incident
http://www. deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/ go/site/2931/.
All oiled wildlife calls should be directed to the Wildlife Hotline at
1-866-557-1401 so we can coordinate recovery/rescue.
It is important that you please avoid going to affected areas or handling
wildlife until you are part of a coordinated response effort. Thank you in
advance for your assistance and for your willingness to help America's
wildlife.