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Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 17 Animal & Veterinary Services Primary Agency Butte-Silver Bow Department of Animal Services Preface Under normal conditions, private, local and state agencies provide a variety of services to animals. During emergencies or disasters the normal capabilities and programs may be disrupted, requiring emergency measures to meet the needs of lost, sick, stray, stranded, injured or dead animals. The purpose of Emergency Support Function 17 is to identify, manage, and organize the response of resources needed for the care and disposition of domestic pets, livestock, wildlife, and exotic animals following an emergency, and to coordinate emergency response and relief assistance with various municipal, county, state and federal agencies. ---PAGE BREAK--- Butte–Silver Bow, Montana Emergency Operations Center ESF # 17 – Animal & Veterinary Services Butte–Silver Bow Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency Purpose: 1. Identify, manage, and organize the response of resources needed for the care and disposition of domestic pets, livestock, wildlife, and exotic animals following a significant emergency, and to coordinate emergency response and relief assistance with municipal, county, state and federal agencies. 2. Provide guidance regarding animal related issues caused by an emergency/disaster. Primary: • Butte-Silver Bow Department of Animal Services Support: • Law Enforcement Department • Fire Departments • Public Health Department • Developmental Disabilities • Veterinary Clinics • County Extension Service • Butte-Silver Bow Transit Division • American Red Cross/Community Based Organizations Likely Tasks: • Assess and prioritize animal service emergency needs; coordinate with other EOC Sections and Branches; coordinate public and private sector efforts. • Activate emergency response teams (evacuation, shelter, medical treatment, search and rescue, etc.) as needed. • Identify local facilities and resources available for animal concerns. • Request animal care resources, as needed, from neighboring jurisdictions and state ECC. Likely Tasks Continued: • Identify local facilities and resources available for animal concerns. • Request animal care resources, as needed, from neighboring jurisdictions and state EOC. • Provide public information about emergency/disaster considerations for animals. • Coordinate animal related advisories with Health Department and EOC Public Information Officer. • Provide information and/or services for the disposal of dead animals. • Prepare a resource list that identifies the agencies/organizations that are responsible for providing the supplies (medical, food, and other necessary items) needed to treat and care for injured and sick animals during large-scale emergencies and disasters. • Coordinate the rescue of injured or endangered animals with fish and game departments, wildlife organizations, county cooperative extension office, veterinarians, etc. • Develop a plan for collection and disposal of dead animals. • Coordinate the securing and identifying of lost and stray animals. • Liaison with the American Red Cross on evacuation and shelter plans. State of Montana Primary • Department of Agriculture Support • Department of Transportation • Montana Disaster and Emergency Services • Department of Natural Resources and Conservation • Department of Livestock • Department of Public Health and Human Services • Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Actions: • Department of Transportation: • Assist in providing vehicles for transportation when available; Assist in providing front-end loaders and dump trucks for disposal of animal carcasses. Disaster and Emergency Services Actions: : Provide request assistance from county EMA’s; Provide assistance in dissemination of public information. • Department of Natural Resources and Conservation • : Provide information for feeding and sheltering requirements of certain species of animals; Coordinate with state and local animal control personnel in the capture of escaped or released exotic species or wildlife. Department of Livestock • : Develop procedures on the acceptable disposal of animal carcasses; Provide a list of incinerators, landfills, approved burial sites, or rendering plants for an affected area. Department of Public Health and Human Services • : Assist in providing quarantine status of the affected area; Coordinate public health issues in the event of a potential contagious disease. Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks : Provide heavy equipment for the disposal of animal carcasses; Coordinate military veterinary assistance. Federal Government Primary • Department of Health & Human Services, U. S. Public Health Service Support • Department of Defense • Environmental Protection Agency • Federal Emergency Management Agency Actions • Supplemental health and medical services, to include: - Needs assessment. - Vector control. - Protection of animal health. - Veterinary services. ---PAGE BREAK--- Annex III Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 17 ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES CEMP July 2011 17 - 3 Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan Emergency Support Function # 17 Animal & Veterinary Services Lead Agency: Butte-Silver Bow Animal Services Department Primary Coordinator: Animal Services Director Support Organizations: Law Enforcement Department Butte-Silver Bow Transit Division Butte-Silver Bow Fire Departments American Red Cross/Community Based Organizations Public Health Department Developmental Disabilities Veterinary Clinics County Extension Service I. INTRODUCTION. A. PURPOSE. 1. Identify, manage, and organize the response of resources needed for the care and disposition of domestic pets, livestock, wildlife, and exotic animals following a significant emergency, and to coordinate emergency response and relief assistance with various municipal, county, state and federal agencies. 2. Provide guidance regarding animal related issues caused by an emergency/ disaster. B. SCOPE. ESF # 17 will identify and meet the veterinary and care needs of animals in the aftermath of a major or catastrophic event. Maintain status of veterinary and hospital service capabilities. Organize the appropriate personnel and identify equipment and resource needs. Animal capture and return to owners (wherever feasible) and collection and disposal of dead animals. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES City & County of Butte–Silver Bow, Montana 17 - 4 CEMP July 2011 C. SITUATION. Any type of disaster may significantly affect the local animal population. A veterinary clinic, pastures, kennels, and other facilities that house animals may be severely damaged or destroyed. Remaining open facilities will likely be overwhelmed by demands for services. D. POLICIES. 1. That in the interest of public health and safety, efforts will be made to identify and attempt to meet the care and emergency needs of animals following emergencies, disasters. 2. Priorities will be directed toward animal care functions after human needs are met. 3. Butte-Silver Bow will continue to rely on existing laws and ordinances regarding animal control, safety and health during times of disaster, and may, if conditions warrant, promulgate emergency declarations that go beyond existing statutes for the duration of the emergency period. 4. Priorities for response by City operations pursuant to this ESF will be as follows: • Protection of the health and safety of emergency workers and the general public from threats related to animal control. • Continued effectiveness in the operation of the City’s emergency response efforts for MIS citizens. • Minimization of the spread of disease and illness through animal vectors. • Protection of public and private property. 5. Butte-Silver Bow acknowledges both the vulnerability of pets to the impacts of disaster situations and pets’ importance to the will being of disaster victims. Therefore, Butte-Silver Bow will endeavor to establish mechanisms for protection of the safety of pets and valuable animals so long as implementation of such mechanisms does not significantly compromise the effectiveness of the City/County’s ongoing emergency operations. II. CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS. A. GENERAL. 1. Most emergency situations can potentially lead to animal control problems and the need for certain animal services. 2. Emergency operations for animal services will be an extension of their normal duties. However, during widespread, multiple site disasters animal services resources and facilities may be in short supply. ---PAGE BREAK--- Annex III Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 17 ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES CEMP July 2011 17 - 5 3. Existing mutual aid agreements may be able to augment and satisfy a temporary increase in local needs. If local capabilities are exceeded, support may be available from state and federal agencies/organizations. 4. Coordination between animal control and services agencies is necessary to ensure emergency operational readiness. Each entity having responsibility for animal control and services must develop operating instructions and resource listings to support this plan. 5. A listing of available emergency animal control and veterinary services resources is maintained in the EOC. B. TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. 1. Pre–Emergency Tasks. a. Primary and support departments will coordinate with the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency to: • Maintain this Emergency Support Function (ESF). • Prepare a resource list that identifies the agencies/organizations that are responsible for providing the supplies (medical, food, and other necessary items) needed to treat and care for injured and sick animals during large-scale emergencies and disasters. • Liaison with state EOC on animal evacuation and shelter plans. • Maintain inventories of resources and facilities. • Participate in drills, exercises. • Develop emergency action checklists. 2. General Emergency Tasks. a. Primary and support agencies will: • Rescue and capture of animals that have escaped confinement, and displaced wildlife. • Evacuate, shelter and care for injured, sick, and stray animals. • Dispose of deceased animals. • When notified of an emergency situation, may send a representative to the Butte-Silver Bow EOC, if appropriate. 3. Specific Emergency Concepts and Responsibilities. a. Butte-Silver Bow Animal Services is the primary department for ESF # 17 Animal & Veterinary Services: • Monitor and respond to all animal care and veterinary services being performed in conjunction with emergency operations. • Determine the support required from local, state, and federal resources. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES City & County of Butte–Silver Bow, Montana 17 - 6 CEMP July 2011 • Provide public information about emergency/disaster considerations for animals. • Begin mobilization of personnel and equipment, and prepare for activation as appropriate. • Coordinate animal evacuation from the affected area (wherever possible). • Coordinate the activation and deployment animal rescue and veterinary personnel, supplies, and equipment. b. Butte-Silver Bow Public Health Department: • Assist or coordinate the development and distribution animal related health advisories. • Provide zoonotic prevention, surveillance, detection, and intervention functions in support of community health. • Consults and advises staff and administrators on maintaining safe, sanitary environments in compliance with health/sanitation regulations and requirements related to animal shelters. c. Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Agency: • Coordinate with animal services regarding loose domestic or wild animals. • Provide assistance in the capture and control of animals. d. Veterinary Clinics: • Assist with animal health, identification, and shelter related issues. e. American Red Cross/Community Based Organizations: • Provide assistance and coordination for evacuation and sheltering. • Coordinate with ESF-19 Special Needs for the management of service animals. f. Butte-Silver Bow Fire Departments-Career and Volunteer: • Provide initial emergency care to people who have sustained animal related injuries. • Assist with animal rescue operations. g. Developmental Disabilities: • Assist with coordination of emergency requirements of individuals with access and functional needs. • Assist with meeting any special needs service animal concerns. • Coordinate with County ESF # 14 staff to establish, if needed, contact information for access and functional needs individuals. Ensure that telephone operators are given up-to-date information regarding ---PAGE BREAK--- Annex III Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 17 ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES CEMP July 2011 17 - 7 instructions for access and functional needs needs individuals and procedures are in place for relaying requests from the public. • Ensure ESF # 15, Public Information, has received all relevant information regarding actions that access and functional needs individuals within the City-County are to take, and that such information is released to the media through ESF # 15. h. Butte-Silver Bow Transit Division: • Provide support and resources for the transportation of animals. • Provide logistical support as requested. i. County Extension Service: • Provide support and resources for the transportation of animals. • Provide logistical support as requested. • Provide information, education, resources, technical assistance and services that pertain to animal care and protection. C. ROLE OF BUTTE–SILVER BOW EOC. 1. When the EOC is activated, the EOC Manager may appoint an EOC Animal/Veterinary Services Unit Leader within the EOC Logistics Support Branch to coordinate animal control and veterinary services activities. Butte- Silver Bow EMA or the “Animal/Veterinary Services Branch” in the EOC will make request to the state EOC through the Logistics Section Chief for additional resources when all animal control and services resources have been exhausted. 2. Animal control and services personnel will be alerted according to prescribed departmental/agency policy. The EOC Animal/Veterinary Services Unit Leader will assign the operational priorities for personnel. All personnel will report to their pre-designated locations unless otherwise directed by their supervisor at the time they are notified of the emergency. Pre-designation of duties and responsibilities will facilitate a reduction in response time. 3. The Animal/Veterinary Services Unit will establish and maintain lines of communication in the EOC during major response operations with support agencies to facilitate coordination of activities and resources. 4. During emergency operations, the Animal Services Department provides representatives to the EOC when requested. EOC Position responsibilities include: • Staffs the “Animal/Veterinary Services Unit” within the Logistics Section. 5. EOC Animal/Veterinary Services Unit duties include: • Assess and prioritize animal service emergency needs; coordinate public and ---PAGE BREAK--- ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES City & County of Butte–Silver Bow, Montana 17 - 8 CEMP July 2011 private sector efforts. • Activate emergency response teams (evacuation, shelter, medical treatment, search and rescue, etc.) as needed. • Prepare a resource list that identifies the agencies/organizations that are responsible for providing the supplies (medical, food, and other necessary items) needed to treat and care for injured and sick animals during large- scale emergencies and disasters. • Coordinate the rescue of injured or endangered animals with fish and game departments, wildlife organizations, county cooperative extension office, veterinarians, etc. • Develop a plan for collection and disposal of dead animals. • Coordinate the securing and identifying of lost and stray animals. • Liaison with the American Red Cross on evacuation and shelter plans. • Coordinate animal related advisories with the Human Needs Branch and the EOC Public Information Officer. D. LIFE SAFETY ASSESSMENT. 1. An initial EOC priority is to gather as much intelligence about the extent of damage as soon as possible. As soon as possible, animal control and services personnel will submit situation and damage reports to the EOC. E. EVACUATION. 1. Evacuation will be coordinated with the EOC to ensure that animals are moved to an appropriate shelter. The “Animal/Veterinary Services Unit” will ensure appropriate animal control and veterinary support. F. FIELD OPERATIONS. 1. Emergency actions may include: • Search for, rescue, evacuate, and shelter animals. • Treat and care for injured and sick animals. • Collect and dispose of dead animals. • Secure and identify lost and stray animals. 2. Hazardous Materials Response. • Animal control and services units responding to a hazardous material incident will ensure that they have a full understanding of the Incident Commander’s assessment of the situation and that they take full and proper precautions to protect themselves, and the animals within their care. • Only personnel having proper training should be deployed to a hazardous material incident. ---PAGE BREAK--- Annex III Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 17 ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES CEMP July 2011 17 - 9 III. ATTACHMENTS AND REFERENCES. A. ATTACHMENTS. 1. Animal & Veterinary Services (ESF # 17) Checklist. B. REFERENCES. 1. Butte-Silver Bow Department of Animal Services Animal/Veterinary Services Operating Guide. 2. FEMA Disaster Assistance Policy DAP 9523.19. Sections 403 and 502 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. The purpose of this policy is to identify the expenses related to State and local governments' emergency pet evacuation and sheltering activities that may be eligible for reimbursement following a major disaster or emergency declaration. 3. The Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 (PETS); Public Law 109-308. The PETS Act requires that the State and local emergency preparedness authorities include how they will accommodate households with pets or service animals when developing emergency plans. C. PROVISO. This support annex has been prepared in accordance with the standards of the National Incident Management System and other Federal and State requirements and standards for emergency plans applicable as of the date of the plan’s preparation. The plan provides guidance only; it is intended for use in further development for response capabilities, implementation of training and exercises, and defining the general approach to incident response. The actual response to an incident is dependent on: 1. The specific conditions of the incident, including incident type, geographic extent, severity, timing, and duration; 2. The availability of resources for response at the time of the incident; 3. Decisions of Incident Commanders and political leadership; and 4. Actions taken by neighboring jurisdictions, the State, and the Federal Government. These and other factors may result in unforeseen circumstances, prevent the implementation of plan components, or require actions that are significantly different from those described in the plan. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES City & County of Butte–Silver Bow, Montana 17 - 10 CEMP July 2011 This Page Is Blank Intentionally ---PAGE BREAK--- Annex III Emergency Support Function (ESF) # 17 ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES CEMP July 2011 17 - 11 Attachment 1 ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES (ESF # 17) CHECKLIST Pre–Emergency Coordinate with the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency to: Maintain this Emergency Support Function (ESF). Prepare a resource list that identifies the agencies/organizations that are responsible for providing the supplies (medical, food, and other necessary items) needed to treat and care for injured and sick animals during large-scale emergencies and disasters. Liaison with EOC on animal evacuation and shelter plans. Maintain inventories of resources and facilities. Participate in drills, exercises. Develop emergency action checklists. Emergency Rescue and capture of animals that have escaped confinement, and displaced wildlife. Evacuate, shelter and care for injured, sick, and stray animals. Dispose of dead animals. When notified of an emergency situation; may send a representative to the Butte-Silver Bow EOC, if requested. Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Assess and prioritize animal service emergency needs; coordinate public and private sector efforts. Identify local facilities and resources available for animal concerns. Activate emergency response teams (evacuation, shelter, medical treatment, search and rescue, etc.) as needed. Prepare a resource list that identifies the agencies/organizations that are responsible for providing the supplies (medical, food, and other necessary items) needed to treat and care for injured and sick animals during large-scale emergencies and disasters. Coordinate the rescue of injured or endangered animals with fish and game departments, wildlife organizations, county cooperative extension office, veterinarians, etc. Develop a plan for collection and disposal of dead animals. Coordinate the securing and identifying of lost and stray animals. Liaison with the American Red Cross and other Community Based Organizations regarding evacuation and shelter plans. Coordinate animal related advisories with the Human Needs Branch Coordinate animal related advisories with Health Department and the EOC Public Information Officer. – Provide information and/or services for the disposal of dead animals. ---PAGE BREAK--- ANIMAL & VETERINARY SERVICES City & County of Butte–Silver Bow, Montana 17 - 12 CEMP July 2011 Establish, maintain contact with State ECC: – Provide information on need for animal care services, facilities. – Request animal care resources, as needed. Recovery Actions Develop and prioritize strategies for supporting recovery operations by providing animal and pet control support services, as needed. Continue to coordinate with State counterparts as needed, as well as with other governmental and volunteer organizations involved in animal and pet control issues. Serve as the point of contact for the public and City-County agencies for ongoing pet and animal control issues, and arrange for corrective actions as needed. Develop recommendations regarding hazard mitigation actions or developments, from the perspective of pet and animal control operations within the City-County that could enhance the operational capabilities of the City-County emergency response personnel, facilities, and equipment in the event of another disaster of similar type and scope.