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TN DISASTER ANIMAL RESPONSE TEAM

By the first of August, we will have almost 1,300 persons credentialed by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture to work in animal-related disasters in Tennessee and other states. Of the current credentialed persons, 32 percent are veterinarians, 10 percent are veterinary technicians, 11 percent are extension personnel, 13 percent are administration (public health, EMA, etc.) personnel and 34 percent are animal owners/volunteers. Nearly all Tennessee counties have at least 1 credentialed person. For those who were credentialed prior to 2007, we are in the process of re-issuing badges that will have “07” printed on the reverse side and that will not expire until new rules and guidelines are requisite. This will give us an accounting of who has fulfilled the requirement of taking the Incident Command System (ICS) courses 100, 200 and 700 and who have signed the Code of Conduct. These courses are now required by the Department of Homeland Security/FEMA and TEMA for all first responders. If you have not completed these requirements and do not have a current “07” badge, you will not be eligible to provide assistance during Tennessee disasters nor can we send you to any other state requesting assistance. Please call or e-mail us if you have any questions.

During the week of June 18, Tennessee participated in a full-scale earthquake exercise. The exercise scenario was based on an earthquake in the New Madrid fault and the at-risk counties in West Tennessee. During the week, communications, logistics, the State Emergency Operations Center and shelters were graded. For the ESF 16/DART, we had a part in the operation of the shelters because now it is required that all shelters provide for animals brought in by displaced people. This is not only a Tennessee regulation but is also provided by the new congressional “Pets Act” legislation. After being requested to provide some animal sheltering teams, we were able to deploy a number of credentialed workers to meet immediate needs, with Hamilton and Davidson Counties providing most of the people and equipment. Other incidents such as vehicular accidents, flooding, animal carcass disposal, etc, were also in the scenario. All of the requests for assistance were responded to by using DART credentialed personnel.

The earthquake exercise revealed the need for further developing evacuation, transportation and animal sheltering teams. The American Humane Association and the EARS organization can help train local DARTs in these team functions. If any county or group of counties would like to host training classes, please contact us for information. As we found out during Katrina and the earthquake exercise, having these teams formed and trained prior to an event is important.   

Dr. Bob Linnabary, Disaster Animal Response Coordinator, (865) 207.4152, robert.linnabary@state.tn.us

Kelly Lang,  Administrative Secretary,  (615) 837.5120, kelly.lang@state.tn.us