ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — The Baldwin County Commission met in emergency session at the Emergency Management Operations Center Friday, April 30. Because of the threat posed by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, a “State of Emergency” will go into effect at midnight, May 1.

According to Dan Rackard, marine operations manager for CrowderGulf, the firm the county has contracted with to clean up after disasters, it’s important for untrained people to avoid contact with any oil that might wash up on the shores.

“The oil might contain toluene or benzene,” said Rackard. He cautioned that the substances are toxic and people might not know they are sensitive to the oil until they come in contact with it.

“It sends a statement to the public about how serious a situation this is,” said Leigh Anne Ryals, Baldwin County emergency management agency director.

Bringing the county to full emergency readiness would be expensive, especially as the exact path of the oil spill is unknown and depends on the wind and ocean currents. Ryals promised to “stand up” the EMA, staggering shifts so no one has to work overtime.

“There are so many moving parts,” said County Commission Legal Counsel Scott Barnett. “We must touch bases all along the way.”

Most of the commission was concerned about proceeding correctly. One pointed out that unlike a FEMA declaration of a disaster, the county had to works with state, federal and British Petroleum officials. BP, as owner of the well, is responsible for the costs of the cleanup, and has a say in how resources are deployed, and money is spent.

The commissioners and Ryals expressed frustration with not being able to get direct answers from BP as to how to proceed.

“We are getting information fifth and sixth hand,” said Ryals.

Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said, “I fear the federal government is going to fail us once again.”