The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, MS Department of Marine Resources, Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, MS Department of Employment Security, MS Commission for Volunteer Service, United Way of South Mississippi, are working with BP to ensure that Mississippians will be on the front lines of the oil spill response.

MDES has received a number of job openings from companies engaged in the oil spill clean-up operation. MDES has referred 2,284 applicants to response contractors as of today. To apply for these jobs an individual may go to the MDES website, at www.mdes.ms.gov and click on Oil Spill Jobs. This will direct the individual to the MDES system to register for work and apply for a job. Individuals may also call MDES at 1.888.844.3577.

Health, Safety and Environmental Training has been a key focus to properly prepare those interested in participating in shoreline clean up. The training is fit-for-purpose based on your role with shoreline cleanup. WIN Job Centers along the Mississippi Gulf Coast Counties have information about training classes that are being scheduled. Only residents who undergo specific training and are hired by response contractors will be directly involved in oil spill cleanup.

Officials responding to the oil spill ask that potential volunteers and cleanup workers be patient because a majority of the work will not take place until the oil spill begins affecting Mississippi's coast.

Those still interested in working or volunteering need to register by calling 1-866-448-5816. Officials responding to the oil spill ask that potential volunteers and cleanup workers be patient because a majority of the work will not take place until the oil spill begins affecting Mississippi's coast.

For questions, call 866-519-MEMA (6362), or visit us online at www.msema.org. You can also follow us on Twitter and Facebook using the keyword MSEMA.