Responsibilities in a Disaster Dr. Bill Thomas

ALL Disasters START LOCAL –Farmers/Agribusiness/Owners –First Responders –Supporting Agencies STATE RESPONDERS –Georgia Emergency Management Agency –Primary Agency –Supporting Agencies FEDERAL –Federal Emergency Management Agency –USDA/FDA

Emergency Management System Local Event individual local state federal

Individual Responsibilities Essential participants in emergencies –Prevention –Quick response Effective response –Awareness of diseases –Ability to interact within an emergency management framework

Local Agencies County Emergency Management Agencies First Responders Actions –Damage assessment, response plans activation –Facilities, resources, supplies and equipment provision –Warning systems establishment –Recovery

State Agencies Initiate a response plan. Supply money, personnel, or other resources Assist communities, and coordinate Emergency Management activities May assist in law enforcement, including quarantines and interstate travel

Tying together State and county-based response: SARTs and CARTs SART – State Agriculture Response Team CART -County Agriculture Response Team

Federal agencies FEMA coordinates Federal agencies to help states Provide resources and financial assistance Help citizens recover and return to normal life as soon as possible

Example of previous slide

USDA - APHIS The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service: –USDA agrosecurity services –Ensure the nation’s safe and affordable food supply

USDA APHIS & FDA overarching lines of defense (alternate to previous slide) Plants, Animals and Food are protected from: –Agricultural Bio-terrorism –Food contamination –Animal and agricultural health events –Zoonotic diseases –Wildlife diseases

Supporting agencies Department of Health and Human Services: –FDA Food and Drug Administration –CDC Centers for Disease Control Environmental Protection Agency

EXAMPLE: Georgia Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) Emergency Response Plan ESF 11 Agriculture and Natural Resources –Nutrition assistance –Animal/Plant disease response –Safety of food supply –Natural disaster impact on Ag & wildlife –Protect natural resources

EXAMPLE: Georgia Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) Emergency Response Plan Georgia FMD Emergency Response Plan is first Incident Annex

Georgia FMD Emergency Response Plan Presumptive Positive: Consider Governor’s Declaration of Emergency and activation of GEOP Statewide quarantine on all livestock Activate appropriate SARTs Establish ICP and ICS “Intensive Quarantine Zone” >/= 10km around presumptive positive –Daily inspections and epidemiology of each herd within zone Depopulation and disposal of affected herd

Georgia FMD Emergency Response Plan Presumptive Positive: Consider Governor’s Declaration of Emergency and activation of GEOP –GEMA and all state resources available Statewide quarantine on all livestock –State and local law enforcement, DOT Activate appropriate SARTs –Local, state and federal members Establish ICP and ICS –GDA, USDA, SART, local EMA

Georgia FMD Emergency Response Plan “Intensive Quarantine Zone” >/= 10km around presumptive positive –Daily inspections and epidemiology of each herd within zone SART, Ag Extension, local law enforcement, state and federal vets and AHTs, etc. Depopulation and disposal of affected herd –SART, GDA, USDA, local EMA, local public works, DNR-EPD, state DOT, etc. C and D of infected premises –SART, local EMA, hazmat/fire team, etc.

Georgia FMD Emergency Response Plan Confirmed Positive: Joint Command will designate control areas and zones –Enforcement of movement restrictions –Surveillance activities within zones Implement “Stamping Out” or “Modified Stamping Out” policy Determine risk to and from wildlife Consider appropriate use of vaccination

Georgia FMD Emergency Response Plan Confirmed Positive: NRP likely activated bringing in all federal resources Joint Command will designate control areas and zones –Enforcement of movement restrictions –Surveillance and response activities within zones Same players as above to include many more local, state, federal (possibly DOD), and likely contracted individuals

Georgia FMD Emergency Response Plan Implement “Stamping Out” or “Modified Stamping Out” policy –SART, GDA, USDA, local EMA, local public works, DNR-EPD, state DOT, EPA, DOD etc. Determine risk to and from wildlife –UGA CVM SCWDS, DNR WRD, USDA WS, FWS Consider appropriate use of vaccination –UGA Ext Ser, local practitioners, GDA, USDA, etc.

NATIONAL DISASTER MEDICAL SYSTEM Disaster Mortuary Team (DMORT) Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT) Disaster Veterinary Assistance Team (VMAT) Deployed under the Catastrophic Incident Annex Coordinated by FEMA

VMAT Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams: –Established by the AVMA, in 1993 –National Special Security Events –Veterinary support during disasters –Response to any CBRNE incidents affecting animals –Goals: to help limit the damage caused by FADs, and to help protect the public from zoonotic diseases

The Terrorist Threat In addition to the “Group of Eight” leaders, additional heads of state may attend.

G8 LIFE SAFETY

What do you feed cops? 300,000 Donuts Who protects The cops?

G8 FOOD SAFETY 20 Congregate feeding stations 3 Under the authority of the USSS 17 Under State Authority State Food Safety Task Force State Department of AG USDA, FSIS FDA State Public Health EPA

G8 FOOD SAFETY Limit the number of vendors to one or two if possible Large National Vendors that move huge amounts of food and have had good inspection records Provide LE security for warehouses, shipping and handling areas one month before the event Move in sealed trucks with security escort to the venues Provide routine food safety inspections at all stages of food movement and handling

Companion animals in disasters 65 million owned dogs 77 million owned cats 70% considered members of the family 60% of GA households own companion animals People that own companion animals behave differently in disasters than people that do not Organizations involved in animal relief: –American Veterinary Medical Association –American Humane Association –Humane Society of the United States –Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters

WHY COMPANION ANIMALS? Life Safety? Owners refuse to evacuate if animals cannot go with them Owners will try to re-enter before all clear Owners will not stay in shelters if animals cannot stay nearby Animal friendly shelters Have a disaster plan for family and animals (where to go, how to get there) In mandatory evacuation animals usually requiring interstate health certificates etc. may pass. 3 days to get back after all clear.

VOAD and NVOAD (National) Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster: –VOAD groups include: The American Red Cross The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Mennonite Disaster Services, and other local church and civic organizations Humane societies, veterinarian organizations, rescue groups and individuals –Goals: to help to sustain life, reduce physical and emotional distress, rescue animals, and promote recovery of disaster victims

Online brochures AVMA’s guide “Saving the Whole Family” HAGA’s brochure “Preparing You and Your Companion Animal for Disaster” /resource_materials.htm

EMAC Emergency Management Assistance Compact –Mutual aid partnership –48 states + 2 territories + DC

Questions?