WKEI AM 1450 recently issued the following announcement.
Local officials want to include animals in emergency plans but lack the needed knowledge. Find out how farmers can help.
Local first responders play a critical role when disaster strikes a livestock farm, according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s (IDOA) animal emergency program coordinator.
Veterinarian Sandra Gilmore advised livestock farmers to work with their local emergency management agency and urge them to add livestock in their disaster response planning. Gilmore discussed animal emergency planning during a recent Illinois livestock preparedness symposium in Normal.
IDOA is working with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and other state agencies as a network for emergency support function (ESF). An ESF 11 pertains to agriculture and natural resources.
Gilmore, who previously practiced veterinary medicine in Pike County, said many of the county emergency management officials she works with want to include livestock and horses in their plans, “but a lot of them lack animal knowledge.”
“All of us can be an asset to local emergency managers,” Gilmore told the farmers and horse owners. She encouraged farmers to contact local emergency officials.
Related: Visit this link for 3 things you can do to prevent diseases from reaching your animals.
Disaster plans are being developed for Illinois. For example, the Red Cross intends to shelter small animals at nearby four-year universities, which Gilmore speculated are those with agriculture programs. IDOA sought information about available shelter for large animals.
IEMA is developing the plans “and we hope we can participate,” Gilmore said. Given the revenue generated by Illinois livestock, that important economic sector needs to be included in disaster plans, the veterinarian continued. “We’re our own advocates here,” she noted.
If local emergency responders are overwhelmed, they would appeal to the state and IDOA for assistance and resources, Gilmore explained. “We will work with local communities; it requires a lot of collaborative effort,” she said.
Gilmore recommended farmers develop their own emergency plans, ensure their mailbox has a clear 911 address and prepare a farm map showing the locations of utilities, ponds or other water sources, buildings and important features. She advised sharing the map with local firefighters.
What does ESF 11 mean?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency organizes the government’s abilities into 15 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) to coordinate a federal emergency response after a presidential disaster is declared. ESF 11 pertains to agriculture and natural resources.
The ag and natural resources response consists of five components:
1. Provide nutritional assistance to affected areas.
2. Respond to animal and plant diseases.
3. Ensure the safety and security of the commercial food supply.
4. Provide for the safety and well-being of household pets.
5. Protect natural and cultural resources and historic properties.
Original source can be found here.
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