An affiliation of land- and sea-grant professionals dealing with disaster education.

Presentation Overview: Cooperative Extension background Extension Disaster Education Network –History & Function –EDEN resources Are there disasters in NYS? NY EDEN –Opportunities SEHSA Relevance

History: Cooperative Extension Service 1914 partnership between land-grant colleges and universities and U.S. Dept. of Agriculture to: –Develop practical applications of research knowledge –Provide instruction and practical demonstrations of existing or improved practices or technologies in agriculture….

What is Extension (CES)? Cooperative (funding and programs) National: USDA State: Land Grant University (Cornell) Local:County Extension Extends research-based knowledge to the public and community officials Service Public service, nationwide, informal education

Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development Family & Consumer Sciences Agriculture Community Development Natural Resources Leadership

Extension – It’s Everywhere Local presence Cooperative structure Not regulatory Trusted resource Education is goal

Cornell Cooperative Extension County based Extension Associations –Serving 57 counties and New York City Efforts focused on: –Agriculture & Food Systems –Community & Economic Vitality –Environmental & Natural Resources –Children, Youth & Families –Nutrition & Health Website:

Drought 1993 Midwest Floods 2001 September, Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma DISASTER: a situation that exceeds a community’s ability to respond and recover using its own resources.

Critical issue: Sharing information efficiently Not “reinventing the wheel” The Cooperative Extension Service: Proven foundation in delivering education. Provides local information for those who need it.

EDEN was developed in 1994, following the floods of the Midwest. During this disaster, Extension educators/agents needed a network that could provide educational resources to answer victims’ questions. The Beginning:

EDEN provides a link between nearly all Land- and Sea-Grant institutions and the county-based Cooperative Extension Service offices across the nation. EDEN connects county offices with USDA-CSREES, APHIS, DHS and other sources of disaster information. The Function:

EDEN Member States And… Alaska Hawaii Puerto Rico Guam

Homeland Security Surveys EDEN conducted two HS surveys which were provided by Purdue Extension (2002). The Extension Educator Survey The Agricultural & Horticultural Producer Survey

The Results Please rate the following homeland security topics as to how urgent they are to your community: Urgent Not Urgent Drinking water security – 78% 4% Food Security –64% 9% Individual’s role –57%14% Government’s role –55%14% Animal biosecurity –50%12% Personal security - 48%13% Farm security – 45%12% Financial security –42%15% Plant/crop biosecurity – 37%16%

The Results Extension Educators 86% said it was likely to very likely that an agricultural, food or water bioterrorist attack will take place somewhere in the U.S. They identified a wide variety of educational needs relating to homeland security – from food to ag safety.

The Results Agricultural & Horticultural Producers 51% felt they are not properly prepared for an agroterrorism event or some other event on their farm. Whether it is a plant or animal security issue, producers claimed that Extension would be one of the primary and initial contacts for objective information.

EDEN Resources: The Web Site Enables Extension educators/agents to request, share and find educational materials. Provides readily available resources at the county level for all phases of disaster. Reduces redundancy by making materials available.

EDEN Online: The Homepage 1 3 2

By Current Topic 3 B A

Designed for Extension advisors, agents, and specialists who have the opportunity to teach plant biosecurity management to those involved in the U.S. agricultural sector. Developed at: University of Missouri Plant Biosecurity Course

North Dakota State University Provides Extension educators with an understanding of the National Response Plan (NRP) and USDA’s obligations under that plan. ‘USDA’s Role in the NRP’ Lesson Plans and Materials

University of Minnesota Demonstrates to consumers their role in protecting the food system from intentional and unintentional threats. ‘Food Processing and Security’ Lesson Plans and Materials

More Than Just A Web Site Nationwide network Non-biased materials Nationwide support

NY – Is There a Need? Natural Disasters – Winter Storms/ Spring Floods

Northeast Blackout August, 2003

NY – Is There a Need? September 11, 2001

Is This the Usual Traffic Pattern?

NY EDEN Challenges = Opportunities: Promote awareness and interest Prepare CCE Associations –Emergency planning Provide resources for local disasters –Preparedness –Recovery Develop collaborative networks

NY EDEN Advisory Board Created to provide interest, collaboration, and direction at the university level and beyond.

University & CCE Associations Emergency Preparedness for CCE –Emergency Plans –Defining role in community disasters Central Emergency Planning Team –Member Incident Command System (ICS) –Coordinate courses

Resources: Preparedness & Recovery Disaster Listserv –Tool for immediate information transfer NY EDEN website –Direct link to national EDEN website –Current resources – many sources –Address specific NY issues

Collaborative Networks County Emergency Management Office American Red Cross, United Way State Animal Response Team (SART) NYS Dept. of Agriculture & Markets State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) SEHSA (future relationship)

Working Together: SEHSA + CCE + NY EDEN Emergency Preparedness –University/College Staff & Students Resources and Training –NY EDEN website and Disaster listserv –CCE Educators Communication Animals in Disasters –County Animal Response Teams (CART)

It is no longer “What if”…. but “When”

Contact Information: NY EDEN Extension Disaster Education Network Ellen Abend, Coordinator Cornell University