TMCnews Featured Article

Putting it scientifically, "a ton" of call centers have cropped up around the BP oil spill disaster. There are different types of centers, they each handle something different and they all play a role in the response.

More than 100 people have called Gulf region poison centers since the Deepwater Horizon oil platform caught fire in the Gulf of Mexico April 20, either to receive information or to report side effects from the resulting oil spill.

Dr. Mark Ryan, managing director of the Louisiana Poison Center, said he expects to see that number rise as the oil continues to leak and spread.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports that St. Bernard Parish, with support from BP, has established an Oil Spill Call Center to answer questions from St. Bernard residents affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The center will be staffed Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. It will be staffed from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency opened a call center  to answer questions from concerned residents regarding the oil spill in Gulf of Mexico. Officials said "call center staff will be able to answer some general questions regarding the April 20 explosion," and they'll also have a list of important phone numbers to give to concerned residents.

BP itself has established a call center for people with claims to make. As the company says, if you call "you will be given a claim number by the call center. It is important that you keep your claim number. You will need this information. After you have your claim number, a claim adjuster will contact you, or you can visit a claim center."

In addition to the above, there are certain hot line numbers to call for more targeted responses. Some examples:

To report oiled or injured wildlife, call +1 866 557 1401.

To discuss spill related damage, call +1 800 440 0858.

To report oiled shoreline or request volunteer information, call +1 866 448 5816.

For general assistance and to submit alternative response technology, services or products, call +1 281 366 5511.

For Vessels of Opportunity (boats) program, call +1 281 366 5511.