Animal Control Officers Play a Key Role!
On Friday, October 6, 2006, the President signed into law H.R. 3858, the "Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006," which amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency.
The PETS Act requires local and state emergency preparedness authorities:
- to include in their evacuation plans how they will accommodate household pets and service animals in case of a disaster
- grants FEMA the authority to assist states and local communities in developing disaster plans to accommodate people with pets and service animals
- authorizes federal funds to states to help pet-friendly emergency shelter facilities
- allows FEMA to provide assistance for individuals with pets and service animals, and the animals themselves following a major disaster
The North Central Region and Denver Urban Area Security Initiative have created the “Regional Animal Emergencies Committee” (REAC) to develop an emergency response plan adaptable to individual agency needs. This united effort involves Animal Control Officers, Humane Investigators, and Law Enforcement representatives from the City and County of Broomfield, Boulder County, Gilpin County, Arapahoe County, Adams County, Elbert County, Douglas County, Clear Creek County, Jefferson County, and the City and County of Denver.
REAC has appointed a Resources Sub-Committees to tackle this major project. The focus of the Resource Sub-Committee is to generate a list of available sheltering, animal care, rescue and handling resources in the North Central Region. The Bureau of Animal Protection, livestock associations, search and rescue, animal rescue specialists, animal control officers, police officers, animal behaviorists, veterinarians, and marketing specialists are just a few of the people already involved.
The Sub-Committee is tasked with reaching out to the appropriate public and private sector folks to bring them on board. Resources are categorized as:
- sheltering (including temporary housing, temporary hospitals)
- veterinary services (veterinarians, first aid supplies, vet techs, vet schools)
- mortality management (equipment and facilities needed to remove, bury or cremate)
- industry specialists (swine, sheep, poultry, cattle, zoo, wildlife, exotic, livestock)
- transportation (vehicles, fuel, ATV’s, snowmobiles)
- general equipment (kennels, cages, corrals, hand tools, machinery)
- supplies (anything that needs to be replaced such as feed, clothing for workers, gloves)
The Resource Sub-Committee is looking at alternatives to implement a database accessible to all agencies located within the North Central Region. The Resource Sub-Committee is also looking for agencies, companies, organizations, and individuals who are willing to provide personnel, facilities, equipment and supplies during an emergency.
If you have any questions, or can help by providing resource lists, personnel, equipment, facilities, supplies, or expertise as a specialist, please contact:
Vickie Weigel
Community Services Unit
Wheat Ridge Police Department
7500 West 29th Avenue
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Phone: 303-235-2998
Cellular: 303-882-5233
Fax: 303-235-2949
E-mail: vweigel@ci.wheatridge.co.us
