Welcome to the California Department of Food and Agriculture
Governor Schwarzenegger

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Disaster Planning Information

 

County Animal Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning Guide

Table of Contents – AHFSS Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning Guide
(January 1999)

The complete guide is available for download.

I. Introduction: Why Plan for Animal Issues During a Disaster?

  1. Refusal to Evacuate and Early Return to Unsafe Areas
  2. Public Health and Safety Risks Caused by Animals at Large
  3. Public Health and Safety Risks Caused by Animal Carcasses
  4. Economic Considerations
  5. Public Relations Considerations
  6. Control of Self Responders and Misuse of Donations

II. How to Use this Guide

III. The County’s Role

  1. Integrating an Animal Plan into Your Operational Area (OA) Emergency Response Plan
  2. The Role of Counties in the California Animal Response in Emergency System (CARES)

IV. Definition of "Animal" R

V. Getting Started: Forming a Planning Committee

  1. Government Agencies
  2. Voluntary Organizations
  3. Industry Groups

VI. Local Issues to Consider in Developing Your Plan

  1. Types of Disasters Likely in Your Area
  2. Animal Population in Your Area
  3. Location of Animal Populations in Your Area
  4. Location of Animal Resources in Your Area
  5. Liability Issues

VII. Preparation

  1. Identifying a County Animal Coordinator
  2. Identification of Resources
  3. Organization of Response Activities
  4. Practice Your Response Plan
  5. Volunteer Training

IX. Recovery

XIII. Acronyms

Appendix A: Animal Confinement and Shelter Facility Forms

  • Animal Care and Holding/Boarding Survey
  • Small Animal Intake Form—Owned Animals with Owner
  • Small Animal Intake Form- Rescued/Found/Stray
  • Large Animal Intake Form
  • Sample Release Form

Appendix B: Animal Food Resources

  • County Animal Food Resource Checklist
  • County Animal Food Survey
  • County Animal Food Resource List

Appendix C: Supplies

  • County Animal Supplies Survey
  • County Animal Supply Resource List

Appendix D: Transportation Resources

  • County Animal Food Resource Checklist
  • County Animal Food Survey
  • County Animal Food Resource List

Appendix E: Volunteer Resources

  • Survey of Groups with Registered Disaster Service Workers
  • County Veterinary Emergency Response Personnel Application
  • County Animal Care Volunteer Emergency Response Personnel Application

These tri-fold brochures can be downloaded. The PDF brochures cannot be altered, but the Word Perfect brochures can be adjusted to fit your needs. you may need to adjust the margins or spacing on the Word Perfect brochures to format them for your printer.

Dead Animal Haulers, Renders, and collection Centers

The following is a list of the licensed dead animals haulers, renderers, and collection centers who have agreed to have their contact information posted on the CDFA website as a service to local groups involved in animal disaster response planning. This list is not complete; please consult local listings for additional related businesses in your area.

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Dead Animal Haulers

  • Crooks Disposal 619–443–0737
  • D&D Disposal, Inc. 323–268–7050
  • D.A.R. Contractors 619–390–8204 *Will pick up any 4–H or FFA project at cost – San Diego Co. only
  • Devries Dead Stock Disposal 562–865–4264
  • Dick’s Pick–Up Service 818–353–5550
  • Dignified Dead Animal Disposal 805–523–1241
  • Janice Pementel 925–997–1387 (Pager 510–440–6915)
  • JCS Livestock Disposal 805–668–3572
  • Sisk Recycling Co., Inc. 209–667–1451
  • Alfred Kuck Livestock 707–762–7688

Rendering Plants

  • Baker Commodities 559–582–0271
  • Darling International 559–268–5325
  • Darling International 415–647–4890
  • Darling International 209–667–9153
  • Florin (Modesto) Tallow 209–522–7224
  • North State Rendering 530–343–6076
  • San Jose Tallow 408–452–8777
  • San Luis Tallow 805–543–8660
  • West Coast Rendering 323–261–4176

Collection Centers

  • Baker Commodities 559–582–0271
  • D&D Disposal 323–268–7050
  • Eureka Protein 707–442–3440
  • Petaluma By–Products 707–763–9181
  • Sisk Recycling Co., Inc. 209–667–1451
  • Stiles Collection 909–390–9828

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Disaster Planning and Information Links

Government Agencies

Non-Profit Organizations

General information about disaster relief efforts worldwide.

Links to disaster preparedness sites and information for horse and pet owners.

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Disaster Volunteer Liability Information

Prepared by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

What is a Registered Disaster Service Worker?

A Registered Disaster Service Worker provides disaster service assistance during an emergency. They can be registered with a disaster council approved by the California Emergency Council, or anyone ordered to perform services during an emergency by a person or body with that authority. All public employees are Disaster Service Workers when ordered to assist during disasters by their superiors. Members of volunteer fire departments are not considered Disaster Service Workers. (Title 19, CCR, §2570.2(a))

Registered Disaster Service Workers are assigned to one of the following classifications: Animal Rescue, Care, and Shelter; Communications; Community Emergency Response Team Member; Finance and Administrative Staff; Human Services; Fire; Laborer; Law Enforcement; Logistics; Medical and Environmental Health; Safety Assessment Inspector; Search and Rescue; or Utilities. (Title 19, CCR, §2572.1)

A Registered Disaster Service Worker must either work under the authorization of a "duly constituted superior in the emergency organization" or under the supervision and direction of the American Red Cross. (Title 19, CCR, §2572.2)

What is a Registered Disaster Service Worker?

Veterinarians, Veterinary Support Staff, and Animal Handlers who provide skills in the rescue, clinical treatment, and transportation of all animals are included in this category. (Title 19, CCR, §2572.1(a))

What is a Disaster Council?

A disaster council is a local public agency which can register and direct the activites of disaster service workers at the county or city level. The disaster council must be accredited with the State of California. The disaster council acts as an instrument of the state with regard to disaster services. (Title 19, CCR, §2570.2(d))

Can a volunteer be sued for actions occuring while they are helping during a disaster?

Registered Disaster Service Workers and volunteers for non-profit organizations and government cannot be held liable for their actions during a disaster while acting within the scope of their responsibilities. However, they are not protected if their actions were "willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious, flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed by the volunteer." They are also not covered if they are operating a vehicle that causes damage.(Title 42, U.S.C.A.§14501-5)

What happens if a volunteer is injured during a disaster?

Registered Disaster Service Workers are covered under Workers’ Compensation if they are injured during the disaster. Workers’ Compensation covers all medical care required at no cost to the injured person. If the injury disables the Disaster Service Worker for more than three days, they can receive disability benefits. (From "Information for the Disaster Service Worker about Workers’ Compensation Benefits" from the State of California Office of Emergency Services)

Is a volunteer’s personal property covered for damages?

The state does not cover personal property of Disaster Service Workers. A volunteer’s vehicle should be covered under the individual’s collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision insurance covers contact with other vehicles or objects hit by the vehicle. Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by objects hitting the vehicle. (For example, if a car hits a house, it is covered under collision insurance. If a house hits a car, it is covered under comprehensive insurance.) Trailers must be insured separately from the vehicle. Auto insurance will only cover the trailer if it disconnects from the vehicle and hits something.

Other property may be covered under homeowners or business insurance. Some policies only cover a certain amount when the item is "off property." Car insurance may also cover a portion of items damaged in the vehicle. It is best to have the Disaster Service Workers contact their own insurance company to verify coverage if they will be using their personal property during a disaster.

Animals being transported during a disaster are not covered by the state. They may be covered under vehicle insurance, but the Disaster Service Worker should contact their insurance company. (Personal communication with Pam Wagner, OES)

Can someone injured in a shelter sue the organization running the shelter?

No. The law states that "There shall be no liability on the part of one...who maintains any building or premises which have been designated as a shelter...or as other necessary facilities for mitigating the effects of a...emergency, for any injuries ... sustained by any person ... when such person has entered or gone upon or into said building or premises for the purpose of seeking refuge, treatment, care or assistance therein. (CA Civil Code §1714.5)"

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Equine Rescue Slings

Equine slings have been successfully used to rescue horses in various situations. They are useful tools and are often the focus of media attention. It is important to understand that slings should be used only as a last resort when a ground rescue is not possible. Use of rescue slings puts rescuers, helicopter pilots, their crew, and the animal at risk.

Professionally designed harnesses were developed for rescue operations where extensive lifting is required. Individuals must be trained to use the slings and the rescue group must have an agreement with a helicopter company for necessary air support. At least four trained personnel are required to use the sling. Most groups that have horse slings will provide their own trained personnel to assist during a rescue. Successful rescue operations utilizing a sling require the cooperation of veterinary personnel, the air support team, and personnel trained in the sling operation.

Equipment used in ground rescues includes the Collins Rescue Mat, the rescue strap, hobbles, and a rescue surcingle (a strap that goes around the horse's body). A Collins Large Animal Rescue strap can be used to assist a horse up an embankment or to move a horse for a short distance to a rescue mat. Once on the rescue mat the horse can be dragged (on the mat) for a considerable distance. The rescue strap is especially useful when dealing with a recumbant horse in a confined space. A rescue surcingle can also be used to assist a horse up a hill. Lack of training on proper use of appropriate equipment or the use of equipment not designed for these purposes (eg. cargo nets) can put personal and animal lives at great risk. Preparation and training are essential for successful use of rescue slings. Training courses and workshops exist for people interested in learning how to use slings. The courses may also include information on organizing interested individuals into a group.

Groups that may have Horse Slings available

  • Helen Woodward Animal Center
    Rancho Santa Fe (858) 756–4117
    – Have 1 Liftex sling. Groups interested in using the sling must provide their own trained volunteers. They request the interested groups sign a liability waiver and pay for any damages.
  • Los Angeles City Dept. Of Animal Regulation
    Los Angeles (213) 893–8453 (info) (818) 756–9323 (24hr requests)
    – Have Anderson slings in all four sizes, hobbles, and a surcingle. Their teams train monthly. They may respond outside the city of Los Angeles with approval. They also have full communications support with a satellite.
  • Santa Barbara Humane Society
    Santa Barbara (805) 687–1328
    – Have a Liftex Sling and access to an Anderson sling. They have 20 individuals trained in the use of a sling. Tim Collins conducts training courses in the use of rescue slings
  • San Diego Humane Society and SPCA
    San Diego (619) 299–0871
    – Have 1 Anderson Sling, 2 Mud Slings, and 1 Dog sling. 60 individuals are trained. They normally stay in San Diego, but would be willing to respond to other areas (however, they may ask for financial assistance outside San Diego County). San Diego County Animal Control arranges for air support.
  • UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital
    Davis (530) 752–0290
    – Has an Anderson Sling. They perform rescues locally if the team is available. Fees must cover the helicopter and the unit

VENDORS

The two brands of vertical lifting harnesses are the Liftex Rescue sling (approx. $1500) and the Anderson sling ($3395 for the whole package). All equipment has various strengths and weaknesses, so groups interested in purchasing slings should select the equipment best suited for their needs.

  • Care for Disabled Animals
    P. O. Box 53, Potter Valley, CA 95469
    (707) 743–1300
    – Manufactures the Anderson Sling in various sizes, as well as rescuer frames, small animal slings, and lifting hobbles.
  • Liftex, Inc. (Dale Heppner)
    www.liftex.com
    204 Railroad Dr., North Hampton Industrial Park, Ivyland, PA 18974
    (215) 957–0810
    – Manufactures the Liftex Sling

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More Resources

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Contact us for more information:
California Department of Food and Agriculture
Animal Health and Food Safety Services, Animal Health Branch
1220 N Street, Room A-107
Sacramento, California 95814
Telephone: (916) 654-1447
Fax: (916) 653-2215
or send an email to: ahbfeedback@cdfa.ca.gov