Camden County Emergency Preparedness
Dr. Charles Bell was our guest speaker. He and Dr. Philipe Coudrai have been coordinating Camden County emergency preparedness for animals. After recent hurricanes and earthquakes, there has been increased awareness of the need for considering animals during disasters. Emergency management teams have realized that many people, especially the elderly, will not evacuate if they cannot take their animals with them. This creates major problems of safety. During a train derailment involving toxic chemicals, people who were ordered to evacuate without their animals snuck back through barricades to rescue them, creating danger for themselves and for emergency personnel. When people do leave animals behind, it can takes months to reunite people with their displaced animals. There are serious problems concerning the mental health of people who are separated from their animal companions. And of course, the animals are at tremendous risk of serious injury or death if they are left behind. In most cases, people are now being advised to take their animals when they evacuate, and deal with housing later.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has developed an Animal Response System, from nationwide, to state, to county, to local, to individual households. The most important link is the individual, and it is essential for each home with animals to have a plan in case of emergency. In the past, the American Red Cross did not let animals in human shelters. They were not allowed to be housed in the same building. In our area, there is now an agreement to allow animals in the building, but in a separate section For example, if a school is used people could be in the gym and animals could be kept in the shop.
A disaster does not have to be in our area to affect us. For example, if there were an evacuation of the barrier islands at the shore, people would come into our region and need shelter for their animals. The main gas pipe line for the east coast runs under Cherry Hill, and there have been some leaks detected. Hurricane Floyd caused major problems in Collingswood and other parts of our region. We are downwind from the Salem Nuclear Plant. There is the possibility of terrorism, with biological warfare using animals as carriers. Small earthquakes have been felt in South Jersey. Hazardous waste moves through the area.
Dr. Bell has organized a group of volunteers who have been meeting to develop plans for any type of emergency. He has set up a database of resources - people who can transport animals, staff shelters, use computers, operate ham radios, provide medical care, house animals, and help in numerous other ways. He has met with Camden County Emergency Management and created a strong alliance, with the ability to do mailings and use the other resources of the team. While every county in NJ is supposed to have an emergency plan, Camden County is the best organized at this time.
It is essential for a group to be set up in each community, with a specific plan for each town. Dr. Bell would like to have people from the animal community get in touch with community emergency management to help set up a plan in every area. Community education is essential, and the first step is your own household. In Ocean County, ShopRite grocery bags have info on what you should have ready in case of disaster. The State of NJ has brochures, "Help Your Pet Survive a Disaster." The Animal Welfare Federation of NJ has a book listing every shelter and rescue group (that they know about) in the state. Contact AWFNJ, P.O. Box 172, Montclair, NJ 07042, (973) 259-1398, fax (973) 259-1398, awfnj@aol.com.
The AVMA has published a book - Emergency Preparedness and Response Guide, which includes information on every aspect of planning and training. This book sells for about $ 45. The same information is available free from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in 2 volumes - Animals in Disasters - module A "Awareness & Preparedness" and module B "Community Planning". Contact FEMA, Emergency Management Institute, Independent Study Program, 16825 South Seton Ave., Emmitsburg, MD 21727-8998, fax 301-447-1201, web site http://www.fema.gov/home/emi/ishome.htm.
One of the problems facing communities is lack of knowledge about what animals are there, including companion animals (dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, etc.), animals on farms (horses, pigs, chickens, cattle, goats, etc.), animals in laboratories, animals in zoos, "exotics," animals in pet stores, and animals temporarily housed in kennels and veterinary hospitals. Different animals need different types of handling, medical care, housing, and transportation.
During an emergency, communications can be disabled, resulting in no phones, no tv or cable, no computers, no cell phones. In many cases, emergency teams rely on amateur radio operators. Using a buddy system, they can take hand-held radios to emergency shelters and communicate with hospitals and other volunteers.
Dr. Bell would like to get everyone possible into the animal emergency database. If you are involved in any way with animal sheltering or rescue, please contact him and find out what you can do to help. Fill out and send a survey form (enclosed with this mailing. Contact him at Evesham Veterinary Clinic, 800 Rt. 73 South, Marlton, NJ 08053, (856) 983-9440.
Rev. Shellie Pinner spoke to us about preparing to save your companion animals in case of disaster. It is essential to have basic items ready at a moment's notice. Leashes and collars are essential for dogs, and crates necessary for housing them in a shelter, while cats need carriers. Other necessities include food and water with dishes and can openers, prescription drugs, first aid supplies, ID tags (microchips are great for cats and dogs who might not be wearing collars when disaster strikes), photos of each animal in waterproof bags taped to each crate, cleaning and disinfecting supplies, and veterinary medical records.
There are several books that have great information on preparing for and dealing with emergencies. Complete Guide to Dog Care, by Marion S. Lane, is available from Humane Society of the US for $ 24.95. Out of Harm's Way, by Terri Crisp, has a wealth of information that can help you prepare for disaster. The Pet First Aid book from the American Red Cross and HSUS is available from PetPALS of Southern NJ for about $ 8.
Contact Rev. Shellie Pinner, c/o PetPALS of Southern NJ, 100 Essex Ave., Suite #300, Bellmawr, NJ 08031-2427, (856) 931-4399, fax (856) 931-4463, NJPetPALS@aol.com.
SHARE Meeting Oct. 24, 1999