Mounted search and rescue

[pennbo@verizon.net]

If you do any work in your communities regarding large animal evacuation planning the biggest factor in determining if your horse will be evacuated is WILL IT LOAD! In our rural community we have many folks who have equines but don't have trailers. So they never practice loading those animals. A crisis is not a good time to teach that skill! We have had the same experience as Una described- equines left behind because we couldn't get them to load.

If you haven't done any large animal evac planning your SAR group might want to spearhead some. A plan for large animal evacuation is a really good thing. We have a full plan that includes procedures for marking and transporting, as well as describes responsibilities for radio communications, deployment, transport, etc.

If you live in a rural fire-prone area it's important to be prepared. When you are battling a fire it's too late.

Chris

 

 

On 06/30/11, Jorene Downs<Jorene@CEOates.com> wrote:

Una's situation is a good reminder to all to be prepared with an evacuation plan not just for the humans but also for your animals.

 

For example ... If you have a 2 horse trailer and 3 horses, what is your plan for evacuating that 3rd horse? If you need to stay in a shelter, where will your animals (dogs, cats, horses, etc.) stay and what will you need to provide regarding those animals? If you need to shelter the horses in place, is there adequate feed and readily available water for several days? If you need help with transportation, are all of your horses easy to catch and load, and are there enough halters and leads for all?

 

Do a Google on horse evacuation plans to get ideas. Check with your county operational area regarding the local plan for equine evacuation. Develop your own plan and be prepared. Consider asking your county if they use volunteers to help with equine evacuation, and perhaps you can help.

 

Don't forget to have a good evacuation plan for the family, and be prepared.

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Jorene Downs

SAR, CERT, Emergency Communications

Mounted SAR

http://www.ceoates.com/msar

KJ6JCD

 

 

 

 

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