That BleePing Oil Spill

Florida FWC’s role in the response

Not lead state agency– Staff at JIC, EOC

locations (~220; 10% of total staff)

Fish/wildlife impacts – Pre-impact, baseline

sampling– Assist w/critter rescues,

etc.

Florida FWC’s role in the response

Law enforcement support – Aircraft (~5) and – Vessels (~45) provide

reconnaissance, security – ATVs (~7) for beach patrol

Volunteer support Communication support

Communication

News releases Talking points FAQs “Who ya gon’ call?”

lists Etc.

Communication

WebsiteBefore: “Not enough emphasis”

WebsiteAfter: “That’s better”

Communication

Text alerts Employee newsletter “extra”

CommunicationPhotos, photo opps

(Joy says “Hello!”)

Media liaison

Communication

Commissioners interact w/public

FWC + other state agencies

Ad campaigns – Have you seen them?

Free fishing weekends Extend renewal period

for commercial fishing licenses

Modify season dates, relax regulations

Challenges and Headaches

This is a constantly changing situation Rumor control Myth-busting

Troubles and Annoyances

Bureaucracy– More agencies involved – state & federal– Extra steps/approvals to get news releases

approved– Process inhibits our ability to respond

quickly to media inquiries; damages our reputation

– Paperwork; documenting our time/expenses for reimbursement

Hassles and Cranial Discomforts

Excess urgency; adrenaline overload; “haste makes waste”– “This news release has to go out

right away.” Approvers unavailable. “Hurry!”

– “Oops, wewe need to correct something in that news release we just sent.

Everyone’s a communications/marketing expert.

Things that make you go postal

Version control– Executive director shows draft of news

release to counterpart at EOC. – Counterpart likes it. – Gives to EOC staff to issue. (It was

supposed to come back to us for editing.)– Chock-full of errers and misteaks, and our

name is on it.

But wait! There’s more!

Burnout Pace yourselves; it’s a

marathon, not a sprint. We still have our “day

jobs” to do. No office director from

January-June Summer vacations =

short-handed

Please, God – not…

No! Please no!