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INTRODUCTION TO AGRICULTURAL EMERGENCIES AWARENESS (16 hours)

July 18 and 19, 2009 8:30 – 4:30

Beaver Run Arena, Between Troutville and Punxsutawney on Rt. 410

(William E. Wise Veterinary Clinic)

Sponsored by the Pennsylvania State Animal Response Team (PASART) through a grant from the US Department of Homeland Security.

 

Registration Deadline: JUNE 30^th, 2009

Registration Form Can Be Found In Attachements Section Below

 

Introduction to Agricultural Emergencies -- Awareness

 

In areas where agriculture is an important industry a variety of emergencies and disasters can occur. These range from trauma events or fires where emergency services disciplines are summoned; to zoonotic diseases where public and private health professionals come together; to disasters where farm animals are affected and multiple agencies and trained volunteers may respond side by side.  Agricultural emergencies require responders to have specialized knowledge and skill to effectively and safely respond.

 

Many of the disasters or emergencies may occur naturally such as floods, fires, explosions, or storm damage, and some may occur as intentional acts of terrorism, including diseases, chemicals, biological agents, radiologic or nuclear agents, or explosions.  Locating specialized resources and training for this wide range of topics is difficult.  This course, and related operations level courses in Agricultural Emergencies brings this specialized training and lists of resources together in one training event.

 

Who Should Attend

·         Those interested in becoming more knowledgeable about agricultural emergencies.

·         First Responders who would like to improve their awareness of the uniqueness of emergencies involving agricultural facilities.

·         Hazmat Responders who wish to expand their level of knowledge to include hazardous incidents involving agricultural facilities.

·         Emergency First Responders who wish to develop specialized agricultural response skills.

·         Managers of emergency response organizations who want to understand procedures, techniques, and response activities unique to agricultural emergencies and disasters.

·         Community members and volunteer groups (CART, CERT, Humane Society, etc.) that have an interest in assisting emergency service personnel in emergencies involving animals and animal facilities in agricultural emergencies.

·         First Responders, community members, and volunteers who want to take the ODP approved Operations Level Agricultural Emergencies course, which includes Animal Emergencies in an Agricultural Environment or Emergency Rescue in an Agricultural Environment, must take this Agricultural Emergencies Awareness Level course as a prerequisite.

 

Awareness Level Topics

Farm Orientation; First on the Scene; Biosecurity; Animal Behavior; Animal Handling; Diseases of Importance; Tractor and Machinery Accidents; CBRNE Incidents/ Field Laboratory.

 

At the OPERATIONS level training, first responders will learn how to safely and effectively control the emergency scene and keep the emergency from escalating. Operations level training modules will teach responders how to offensively manage emergency scenes on and off the farm. Topic modules, which can be selected to fit with regional plans and priorities, include: NIMS/Unified Incident Command; First-on-the-Scene; Bio-Security; Animal behavior and handling; Diseases of importance;  Managing emergencies in a chemical, biological, radiological nuclear and explosive (CBRNE) environment; Tractor/Machinery/Chemical/Confined space rescue

 

 

After successful completion participants will be able to:

·         List hazards that might be encountered on a farm or agricultural setting in their community.

·         Describe appropriate resources that should be requested to the scene of an emergency involving agricultural machinery, chemicals, structures, or animals.

·         List components of a farm/agricultural pre-plan and describe the importance of performing pre-plans.

·         Describe the process of initial scene size-up.

·         Describe why the farm community needs a special training on emergency response.

·         Explain how the First on the Scene program is delivered at the community level.

·         Understand the terminology, definition, and importance of Agricultural Biosecurity.

·         Understand the pathways for disease transfer.

·         Understand the concept of agricultural biosecurity risk assessment.

·         Determine intervention strategies for agricultural emergencies.

·         Understand the methods and procedures for agricultural biosecurity best practices for first responders during agricultural emergencies.

·         Understand and be knowledgeable of the local, state, and federal resources that are available for assistance and additional information on Agricultural Biosecurity.

·         Identify the types of animals that can be found on local farms in their area.

·         Describe how diseases can have a negative effect on animal agriculture nationally.

·         Describe which animal diseases if introduced into US agriculture can have disastrous effects on the nation’s farm economy.

·         Explain why tractors and machinery are involved in the majority of deaths and serious injuries on farms.

·         Describe the steps to take when approaching a tractor/machine trauma incident.

·         Explain who would be a most valuable resource for a machinery related rescue.

·         List sources of information when dealing with a chemical emergency on a farm.

·         Describe the requirements farmers must follow related to chemical storage.

·         Participate in field exercises.

 

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites recommended for Agricultural Emergencies Awareness. However, see registration information below for specific requirements for some applicants.

 

Agricultural Emergencies Awareness is a pre-requisite for both Operational Level courses.

 

 

Presenters:

·         Faculty and staff of The Pennsylvania State University