Georgia Dept. of Georgia Dept. of AgricultureAgriculture

CEMACEMASavannah, Georgia Savannah, Georgia

May 3, 2010 May 3, 2010

Presented by: Laura Blanton & Dianna Presented by: Laura Blanton & Dianna DeLoachDeLoach

Mary Greene, DirectorMary Greene, Director

Emergency Support Emergency Support Function 11Function 11

• Under ESF 11, Agriculture, GDA is Under ESF 11, Agriculture, GDA is tasked with assisting with animal tasked with assisting with animal friendly shelters in disasterfriendly shelters in disaster

• County Emergency Operations Centers County Emergency Operations Centers also have ESF 11 desksalso have ESF 11 desks

• The Pets Evacuation and Transportation The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act was enacted in Standards (PETS) Act was enacted in 2006 to ensure that the needs of 2006 to ensure that the needs of companion animals and their owners are companion animals and their owners are addressed by local and state addressed by local and state government.government.

PETS ActPETS Act

““Authorizes search, Authorizes search, rescue, care, and rescue, care, and shelter of pets and shelter of pets and service animals as a service animals as a type of essential type of essential assistance to be assistance to be provided after a major provided after a major disaster declaration.”disaster declaration.”

(P.L. 109-295, §689 (b) (P.L. 109-295, §689 (b) Stafford Act amended Stafford Act amended Sec. 403)Sec. 403)

Service AnimalsService Animals

• According to the Pets Evacuation and According to the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (PETS Act), “the Director shall ensure (PETS Act), “the Director shall ensure that such plans (state and local) take that such plans (state and local) take into account the into account the needs of individuals needs of individuals withwith household petshousehold pets and and service service animals prior to, during, and animals prior to, during, and following a major disaster or following a major disaster or emergencyemergency.”.” (Public Law 109-308, (Public Law 109-308, Section 2 (b)(3)).Section 2 (b)(3)).

Georgia is a Host State!Georgia is a Host State!

• 5 Neighboring States:5 Neighboring States: Florida, North Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and AlabamaAlabama

• This has a huge impact on disaster This has a huge impact on disaster preparations in Georgia. Not only do we preparations in Georgia. Not only do we need to prepare for our own citizens need to prepare for our own citizens evacuating within the state, but we also evacuating within the state, but we also prepare for neighboring evacuees coming in.prepare for neighboring evacuees coming in.

Phases of DisasterPhases of Disaster

1.1. Preparation Phase: local Animal Disaster Preparation Phase: local Animal Disaster Plans (ADPs); see disc for referencePlans (ADPs); see disc for reference

2.2. Alert Phase: Notification Procedures, Alert Phase: Notification Procedures, DeclarationsDeclarations

3.3. Response Phase: setting up shelter, SAR, Response Phase: setting up shelter, SAR, veterinary medical care, care of animalsveterinary medical care, care of animals

4.4. Demobilization Phase: shutting down facility, Demobilization Phase: shutting down facility, C&D, owner re-unification; final debriefingC&D, owner re-unification; final debriefing

5.5. Recovery Phase: collective effort, getting Recovery Phase: collective effort, getting back to norm, takes timeback to norm, takes time

Incident Command Incident Command SystemSystem

• We operate under the Incident Command We operate under the Incident Command System (ICS) during an event to ensure System (ICS) during an event to ensure that everyone is speaking the same that everyone is speaking the same language, operating under the same language, operating under the same system, and maintaining proper span of system, and maintaining proper span of controlcontrol

• Encourage you take IS 100, 200 & 700 if Encourage you take IS 100, 200 & 700 if you have not already: you have not already: http://www.training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.ashttp://www.training.fema.gov/IS/NIMS.aspp

Incident Command Incident Command SystemSystem

Incident Commander

Finance Logistics Operations

Safety Officer PIO

Animal Friendly Shelter

Planning

Where Does Animal Sheltering Fit?Where Does Animal Sheltering Fit? Sample Animal Branch Sample Animal Branch

Operations Section

Animal Branch

AnimalSheltering

Animal Search & rescue

VeterinaryMedical

Animal Decontamination

Pet A Equine Pet B

ICS basic featuresICS basic featuresExpands and contracts with incident needsExpands and contracts with incident needs

– Individuals may hold multiple ICS positions in Individuals may hold multiple ICS positions in smaller endeavorssmaller endeavors

Span of control is 3-7 Span of control is 3-7

Everyone has an assignmentEveryone has an assignment

Everyone knows who they report to!Everyone knows who they report to!

Planning Planning Projecting needsProjecting needs

– PersonnelPersonnel– Equipment/suppliesEquipment/supplies

DocumentationDocumentation

Technical specialistsTechnical specialists

DemobilizationDemobilization

Monitor Incident Action Monitor Incident Action Plan from ICPPlan from ICP

Prepare Incident Action Prepare Incident Action Plan (IAP) if neededPlan (IAP) if needed

LogisticsLogisticsCommunicationCommunication methods and approved use needs to be methods and approved use needs to be

identified in debriefing sessionsidentified in debriefing sessions– ExternalExternal

• Phone, fax, Internet, radio, satellite phonePhone, fax, Internet, radio, satellite phone– InternalInternal

• Walkie-talkiesWalkie-talkies• Bulletin boardBulletin board

– Media monitoringMedia monitoring• Radio, TV, InternetRadio, TV, Internet

TransportationTransportation– People coming from communal shelter (is their a People coming from communal shelter (is their a

schedule?)schedule?)– Animals (entry/exit)Animals (entry/exit)

Facilities ManagementFacilities Management– Break RoomBreak Room– First Aid Area/MedicalFirst Aid Area/Medical– BathroomBathroom

SecuritySecurity– People, suppliesPeople, supplies– Animals (entry/exit)Animals (entry/exit)

Setting up the ShelterSetting up the Shelter

• Gubernatorial DeclarationGubernatorial Declaration• Establish the maximum # of animals to be Establish the maximum # of animals to be

housedhoused• Review Chain of Command with all staffReview Chain of Command with all staff• AFS is co-located with Red Cross ShelterAFS is co-located with Red Cross Shelter• Establish Security CheckpointsEstablish Security Checkpoints• ID Safety Officer/First Aid StationID Safety Officer/First Aid Station• Bio-Security measures are established and in Bio-Security measures are established and in

placeplace• Fire Extinguishing Device is functionalFire Extinguishing Device is functional

Facility ExpectationsFacility Expectations• Adequate foodAdequate food• Adequate waterAdequate water• Adequate lightingAdequate lighting• Adequate temperature Adequate temperature

controlcontrol• Adequate ventilationAdequate ventilation• Classification & Classification &

Separation Separation • Drainage Drainage • Fire extinguisherFire extinguisher• Humane Care Humane Care • Interior surfacesInterior surfaces

• Pest Control Pest Control • SanitationSanitation• Shelter from the elements Shelter from the elements • Space requirements Space requirements • StorageStorage• Structural strengthStructural strength• TetheringTethering• Waste DisposalWaste Disposal• EuthanasiaEuthanasia• Adoption of injured, Adoption of injured,

diseased, or abnormal diseased, or abnormal animals must be provided animals must be provided in writingin writing

Shelter Staff and Shelter Staff and VolunteersVolunteers

• GDA Employee and GDA Employee and ContractorsContractors

• VOAD Volunteers: (HAGA)VOAD Volunteers: (HAGA)• Community Emergency Community Emergency

Response Team (CERT) Response Team (CERT) MemberMember

• Veterinarians, Vet Techs and Veterinarians, Vet Techs and Vet SchoolsVet Schools

• Petsmart Charities: Petsmart Charities: Emergency WagginEmergency Waggin

• HSUS Disaster ServicesHSUS Disaster Services

• Ascertain shelter volunteers Ascertain shelter volunteers are affiliated with a are affiliated with a recognized organization, recognized organization, otherwise they can not otherwise they can not participateparticipate

VolunteersVolunteers

• Liability FormsLiability Forms• Training—MUST BE PART OF THE Training—MUST BE PART OF THE

SYSTEM TO ASSISTSYSTEM TO ASSIST• Maintain updated Notification ListsMaintain updated Notification Lists

SUV ManagementSUV Management• If not neededIf not needed

– Referral to volunteer centerReferral to volunteer center– Take contact infoTake contact info– Provide info on Provide info on

organization and volunteer organization and volunteer opportunitiesopportunities

– THANK THEMTHANK THEM– But don’t be afraid to say But don’t be afraid to say

nono

• If neededIf needed– Supervise with trained Supervise with trained

volunteer/staffvolunteer/staff– ““Just In Time” trainingJust In Time” training– ““Safe” jobsSafe” jobs

IntakeIntake• IdentificationIdentification

– OriginOrigin• Address vs. proximityAddress vs. proximity• GPS data for ASARGPS data for ASAR

– DescriptionDescription• Written descriptionWritten description• Digital photo with ownerDigital photo with owner• Microchip scanMicrochip scan• Medical history Medical history

(rabies/behavior)(rabies/behavior)

– IdentificationIdentification• Tyvek collar/tagsTyvek collar/tags• MicrochipMicrochip• BrandsBrands

– Signed release/trans.Signed release/trans.

Intake/Check-In Intake/Check-In AssignmentAssignment

• Identification:Identification:– Paperwork (Contact Form, Check In Paperwork (Contact Form, Check In

Packet, Release From and Blank Packet, Release From and Blank Veterinary Form)Veterinary Form)

– PhotographPhotograph– MicrochipMicrochip

• TriageTriage– Veterinarian or technicianVeterinarian or technician– (Rapid Evaluation)(Rapid Evaluation)

• StableStable• Deferred careDeferred care• Needs immediate careNeeds immediate care• Dead or certain to dieDead or certain to die

– Isolation/separation Isolation/separation • Disease riskDisease risk• Special needsSpecial needs

• Behavioral triage performed by vet techBehavioral triage performed by vet tech

Intake ObservationIntake Observation

• Follow Quarantine Disease ProtocolFollow Quarantine Disease Protocol• DehydrationDehydration• Heat StressHeat Stress• AggressionAggression

• If any of these items are noted upon If any of these items are noted upon intake, contact Veterinarian or Vet Tech intake, contact Veterinarian or Vet Tech immediately to provide animal immediately to provide animal assistanceassistance

Preventive Veterinary Preventive Veterinary CareCare

• VaccinationsVaccinations– Veterinary team should establish Veterinary team should establish

treatment plan.treatment plan.– If no history of vaccination:If no history of vaccination:

• Rabies (particularly if going to foster care)Rabies (particularly if going to foster care)• Dogs: DHLPP, kennel-coughDogs: DHLPP, kennel-cough• Cats: FVCRPCats: FVCRP

– Parasite control: Internal and externalParasite control: Internal and external

Hospital AreaHospital Area• Examination dictates location in shelterExamination dictates location in shelter

– All dogs require rabies vaccination if not All dogs require rabies vaccination if not provided by ownerprovided by owner

• Hospital Set-up:Hospital Set-up:– ICUICU– Special NeedsSpecial Needs– General PopulationGeneral Population– IsolationIsolation

• Treatment Forms follow animalTreatment Forms follow animal• Animals with Urgent Care Needs should be Animals with Urgent Care Needs should be

moved off site as soon as possiblemoved off site as soon as possible

Ongoing Animal CareOngoing Animal Care• Daily evaluationDaily evaluation

– Eating, drinking?Eating, drinking?– Vomiting/diarrhea?Vomiting/diarrhea?– Coughing/sneezingCoughing/sneezing– Other health issuesOther health issues– Animal(s) missing more than one meal should be Animal(s) missing more than one meal should be

reported to veterinary staffreported to veterinary staff• Feed and waterFeed and water

– Check each and every dog and cat twice daily for Check each and every dog and cat twice daily for hydrationhydration

• Sanitation Sanitation • ExerciseExercise• Rest periods!Rest periods!• Daily “inventory” and medical historyDaily “inventory” and medical history

PPE for DisinfectionPPE for Disinfection– Gloves Gloves

• Latex or vinylLatex or vinyl• dishwashing typedishwashing type

– Eye protection (goggles)Eye protection (goggles)– Apron, smock or coverallsApron, smock or coveralls

Bites & ScratchesBites & Scratches• Guidelines/policiesGuidelines/policies

– Prevention/safety trainingPrevention/safety training– Post-bite protocols-medical treatmentPost-bite protocols-medical treatment– Quarantine protocols (10 days)Quarantine protocols (10 days)– Risk recognition in companion animals, Risk recognition in companion animals,

livestock and wildlife!livestock and wildlife!• Cat scratchesCat scratches

– Cat-scratch feverCat-scratch fever• REPORT ALL BITES to REPORT ALL BITES to Safety Officer immediately!Safety Officer immediately!

RabiesRabies• VaccinationVaccination

– High risk personnel should receive pre-High risk personnel should receive pre-exposure prophylaxisexposure prophylaxis

– Antibody titer monitoring once vaccinatedAntibody titer monitoring once vaccinated

• Coordination with Public Health Dept.Coordination with Public Health Dept.– Needed in:Needed in:

• Known positive casesKnown positive cases• Exposure by animals unavailable for testing Exposure by animals unavailable for testing

(such as wildlife)(such as wildlife)

Shelter Work AreasShelter Work Areas

• General PopulationGeneral Population• Cats/Exotic AnimalsCats/Exotic Animals• ICU & General Care AreaICU & General Care Area• Isolation and/or Quarantine AreaIsolation and/or Quarantine Area• Intake (Receiving)/Triage AreaIntake (Receiving)/Triage Area

SecuritySecurity• GoalsGoals

1.1. Protect animals:Protect animals:• EscapeEscape• InjuryInjury• TheftTheft• ExposureExposure

2.2. Protect people:Protect people:• InjuryInjury• Important to stay hydratedImportant to stay hydrated• Monitor your personal health, Monitor your personal health,

DO NOT OVEREXTEND DO NOT OVEREXTEND YOURSELFYOURSELF

3.3. Control disease spreadControl disease spread• PeoplePeople• AnimalsAnimals

Emergency Animal Emergency Animal Sheltering PrioritiesSheltering Priorities

1.1. Protecting peopleProtecting people– Physical safety, zoonotic disease risksPhysical safety, zoonotic disease risks– Owners, general public, staff, volunteersOwners, general public, staff, volunteers

2.2. Protecting animalsProtecting animals– Physical safety, security, diseasesPhysical safety, security, diseases

3.3. Protecting other property and the Protecting other property and the environmentenvironment– Shelter site, owner equipment, waterways, Shelter site, owner equipment, waterways,

etc. etc.

Security PracticesSecurity Practices• Limit accessLimit access

– Limit access to authorized Limit access to authorized personnelpersonnel

– Identify authorized Identify authorized personnelpersonnel

– Limit entry and exit pointsLimit entry and exit points

• If co-locatedIf co-located– Owners need IDOwners need ID– Owner ID/Animal ID matchOwner ID/Animal ID match– OwnerOwner Code of ConductCode of Conduct

Responsibilities-LocalResponsibilities-Local• All emergencies are local All emergencies are local

events!events!• Locally responsible partiesLocally responsible parties

– Animal controlAnimal control– Animal sheltersAnimal shelters– Cooperative Extension/ESF 11Cooperative Extension/ESF 11

• SupportSupport– Veterinary professionalsVeterinary professionals– Public healthPublic health– Animal welfare groupsAnimal welfare groups– Livestock/horse associationsLivestock/horse associations

EMA DirectorEMA Director• This is the king/queen during any emergency! They hold all the This is the king/queen during any emergency! They hold all the

power. Get to know them now.power. Get to know them now.• Any requests for assistance should go through your local Any requests for assistance should go through your local

Emergency Operations Center/EMA Director. (You shouldn’t be Emergency Operations Center/EMA Director. (You shouldn’t be contacting GDA directly because you will not get reimbursed for contacting GDA directly because you will not get reimbursed for expenses).expenses).

• CERT Program: Community Emergency Response Teams: do you CERT Program: Community Emergency Response Teams: do you have one with volunteers to assist in a disaster scenario? You want have one with volunteers to assist in a disaster scenario? You want trained & knowledgeable assistance during an event. trained & knowledgeable assistance during an event.

• Keep Volunteer Lists current and up to date.Keep Volunteer Lists current and up to date.• Local Animal Disaster Plan: Work with your EMA Director to Local Animal Disaster Plan: Work with your EMA Director to

develop a plan. If you don’t have one in place, the Federal develop a plan. If you don’t have one in place, the Federal Government will not reimburse—federal mandate under the PETS Government will not reimburse—federal mandate under the PETS ACT.ACT.

• Plan should identify Animal Friendly Shelter location for those in Plan should identify Animal Friendly Shelter location for those in your community who may require housing assistance for their your community who may require housing assistance for their animals; animals in your area that may require assistance in animals; animals in your area that may require assistance in advance: How many equine/cattle owners do you have? Licensed advance: How many equine/cattle owners do you have? Licensed breeding/kennel facilities? Owners with large numbers of animals. breeding/kennel facilities? Owners with large numbers of animals. Homeowners with special needs.Homeowners with special needs.

DocumentationDocumentation• Logging and documenting Logging and documenting

equipmentequipment• Resources (staff, feed, Resources (staff, feed,

donations, transportation)donations, transportation)• Work hoursWork hours• Animals cared for; Animals cared for;

documentation is documentation is extremely important in extremely important in providing care providing care andand to get to get reimbursedreimbursed

• If these items are not If these items are not properly documented, properly documented, you will not get you will not get reimbursed.reimbursed.

Types of Emergency Types of Emergency Animal SheltersAnimal Shelters

1.1. Co-located sheltersCo-located shelters

2.2. Pet animal sheltersPet animal shelters

3.3. Expanded use of existing Expanded use of existing animal facilitiesanimal facilities

4.4. Service animal sheltering at Service animal sheltering at citizen emergency shelterscitizen emergency shelters

5.5. Livestock emergency sheltersLivestock emergency shelters

6.6. Foster homesFoster homes

7.7. Animal facility populationsAnimal facility populations– Zoos, sanctuaries, Zoos, sanctuaries,

biomedicalbiomedical

8.8. Mixed effortsMixed efforts

9.9. Shelter in place!Shelter in place!

EquipmentEquipment

• Consider purchasing similar equipment for use during Consider purchasing similar equipment for use during local disaster incidentslocal disaster incidents

• Have you checked your equipment to ensure it is still Have you checked your equipment to ensure it is still operable?operable?

• May be able to transfer these items to other counties May be able to transfer these items to other counties under reciprocal agreements, helps to build relationships!under reciprocal agreements, helps to build relationships!

EquipmentEquipment

• GDA has a Companion GDA has a Companion Animal Trailer that can Animal Trailer that can be deployed during an be deployed during an disasterdisaster

• This trailer is designed This trailer is designed to provide housing and to provide housing and associated care items associated care items for 50 dogs and 50 catsfor 50 dogs and 50 cats

• Includes an office, Includes an office, generator, drug safe, generator, drug safe, first aid kit, feed bowls, first aid kit, feed bowls, etc. etc.

Public Information Public Information OfficerOfficer

• Important that all information going Important that all information going to media is facilitated through the to media is facilitated through the PIOPIO

• All donations requests should go All donations requests should go through PIOthrough PIO

• Important to identify # of animals Important to identify # of animals facility can hold, communicate to PIO facility can hold, communicate to PIO when nearing level so public will when nearing level so public will know to go to another AFSknow to go to another AFS

Demobilization/Final Demobilization/Final DebriefingDebriefing

• Final Debriefing and Incident Action Plan Final Debriefing and Incident Action Plan Assessment should include “Lessons Learned” Assessment should include “Lessons Learned” document.document.

• ““Lessons Learned” document should include Lessons Learned” document should include any comments, suggestions for improvement, any comments, suggestions for improvement, and assessment of problem to prevent similar and assessment of problem to prevent similar occurences in the future.occurences in the future.

• Key portion to Demobilization process!Key portion to Demobilization process!• Consider Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Consider Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

related to events that transpired during the related to events that transpired during the disasterdisaster

Animal Safe CenterAnimal Safe Center

• Animal Safe Center is located in Animal Safe Center is located in middle Georgia at Fort Valley State middle Georgia at Fort Valley State UniversityUniversity

• Capacity for dogs, cats and equine.Capacity for dogs, cats and equine.• Use for disaster situations onlyUse for disaster situations only• Governor Declaration and Governor Declaration and

Commissioner authorization prior to Commissioner authorization prior to openingopening

Q&AQ&A

Any additional questions can be directed Any additional questions can be directed to to

Venessa Sims-Green, Manager 2Venessa Sims-Green, Manager 2Animal Protection SectionAnimal Protection Section

19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW19 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SWAtlanta, GA 30334Atlanta, GA 30334

404-656-4914404-656-4914800-282-5852800-282-5852

Venessa.Sims-Green@agr.georgia.gVenessa.Sims-Green@agr.georgia.govov