Conference call for SART and similar state programs October 6th, 2005
Attendance: • Kevin Dennison, CO • Emily Stone, CO • Scott Mason, OK • Anna Van Heeckeren, AVMF • Ron Sohn, MD • Bill Bennett, CO • Mike Wooton, USDA • Dave Tompkins, TX • Joel Hersh, PA • Ollie Davidson, HSUS • Laura Lanza, ASPCA • Dr. Fuller, CA, Sfuller@cdfa.ca.gov • Chester Gipson, USDA • Arnie Goldman, CT • Dwight Arnett, Il • Dr. Kerry Rood, VT • Dr. O’Connor, Barb Legatowicz, MA SART National Meeting update (for Oct 16-17 meeting of SART and similar state programs and national partners.) • Registration status: Approximately 37 people registered with several other registrations expected. • Agenda o Discussed the agenda (will attach with these minutes) • The group mentioned that the documented circulated by Colorado SART should be discussed. It may provide a framework for a common statement to federal agencies, legislators and other stakeholders. • The two working groups may want to each address the issues related to that document that connect to their working group and make recommendations on changes or additions. o Mike Oscar, a staff member from Sen. Specter’s office will be at the meeting to discuss the Agroterrorism Protection Act of 2005. (SB1532) Mr. Oscar is the author of the bill and should be able to clearly explain the intent and features. Preliminary tasks related to networking and funding • Joel Hersh from PA is heading that committee and will provide an outline for attendees as to the anticipated charge for the afternoon work group and some background materials.
Preliminary tasks related to resource management and training • Kevin Dennison from CO is heading that committee and will provide an outline for attendees as to the anticipated charge for the afternoon work group and some background materials, including: o Resource typing recommendations o EMAC usage: Provides paid employees with States must pay 25% of the cost of deployment with FEMA typically (but not always) reimbursing for 75% in a federally declared disaster. Some question existed whether animal resources were currently being considered for reimbursement under EMAC and the Stafford Act? Animal control teams from Texas and incident management teams were deployed under EMAC, but it was unknown if LA was reimbursed for 75% of those costs. Other business items • ESF-11 discussion: Where does animal protection belong? o Animal issues currently reside under a mixture of ESFs 11, 8, and 6. o Some difference of opinion exists as to where animal protection needs to reside and if a new ESF is needed. There was no dispute that animal protection issues need to be consolidated somewhere with connections to 6, 8, and 11. • Stafford Act addition by H.R. 3858 o Will provide addition of household pets and service animals to the Stafford Act. o Some discussion followed as to whether livestock should be included in that wording. • Incident Command Teams o Developing incident command teams is essential for states. Command and management structures must include animal issues, but states need to have fully trained and exercised animal incident management teams. o ICS 300 and ICS 400 level training should be considered by state veterinary and SART personnel. o Veterinary Services has established and is training 6 animal incident management teams. Multiple Forest Service IMT exist that could help as well. • VOAD groups (Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster): o Red Cross and the VOAD groups have done a fairly good job of coordinating with FEMA and states. Animal groups must follow suit. o AVMF has MOU with Red Cross and FEMA o Fund raising needs to be done, but needs to be done with some degree of responsibility and accountability to the ICS Joint Information System.
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o There is no need to reinvent the wheel, just to apply existing organizations into a better communications structure. Texas governor made the policy that no person with animals would be denied sheltering and evacuation support. The group expected to see more of this policy nationwide.
Submitted by Kevin Dennison, DVM, Colorado 303.539.7633 KevinDennison@colovma.org Adjourn within one hour