· Introduction / 3
· Organization Overview / 4
I. BE INFORMED
· Review Local Emergency Plans / 5-6
· Identify Key Organizations and Leaders / 6
· Research Previous Community Efforts / 6
· Federal, State and Local Resources / 7-12
ii. Promoting Pet Preparedness in your community
· Engaging your Community / 13-14
· Engaging the Media / 15
III. TOOLS
· Frequently Asked Questions to provide in e-mails, newsletters, articles / 16-18
· PowerPoint / 18
· Ready Brochures / 18
· Ready Materials Order Form / 20
· Instructional Videos Available for Download / 21
· Photography / 21
· “Rex” the Ready Mascot Order Form / 22
IV. MEDIA TOOLS / 23
· Evacuation Press Release Template / 24
· Flooding Press Release Template / 25
· Wildfires Press Release Template / 26
· Hot Weather Press Release Template / 26
· Cold Weather Press Release Template / 27
· Event Media Advisory Template / 29
· Media Training Quick-Reference Guide / 30-33
RESOURCES INCLUDED (on Web site)
· LLIS Fact Sheet
· Shelter Operations: Pet-Friendly Shelters
· Pet Sheltering: Building Community Response
· National Response Framework Fact Sheet
· Community Pet Preparedness Customizable PowerPoint
· Printer- Friendly - Modified - Preparing Your Pets for Emergencies Makes Sense
· Metro DC Council of Governments Companion Animal Evacuation and Sheltering Public Information Materials
· Pet ‘N’ Preparedness, Fairfax County, VA
Dear Partners in Preparedness,
The Ready Campaign, FEMA, Citizen Corps, American Red Cross, and The Humane Society of the United States, would like to thank you for the important work you are doing in your communities. Our organizations have come together to develop this emergency preparedness toolkit that can assist you in your planning efforts as you work toward keeping your community, and specifically, the pets and people who care for them, safe from disasters.
This toolkit provides you with the resources on how to stay current on your local pet disaster plan, policies and procedures; examples of how to promote preparedness in your communities and engage other organizations in your efforts; as well as resources to educate the community about how to assemble a pet emergency supply kit and make a family emergency plan. In addition, there is a tools section that provides sample preparedness brochures and PSAs, PowerPoint templates and press materials you can use to develop and distribute your internal and external preparedness messaging.
Preparing our families, homes and businesses for unexpected disasters is a civic virtue. Thank you again for your commitment to making our communities safer for the pets we call family!
Sincerely,
The Ready Campaign, FEMA, Citizen Corps, American Red Cross, and the Humane Society of the United States
3
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Campaign
Launched in 2003, in partnership with The Advertising Council, Ready was designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies, including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. It has proven to be one of the most successful campaigns in Ad Council’s more than 65-year history. Since its launch, the campaign has generated more than $703.2 million in donated media support. Individuals interested in more information about family, business and community preparedness can visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY to receive free materials.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
On March 1, 2003, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The primary mission of the Federal Emergency Management Agency is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the Nation from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters, by leading and supporting the Nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation. www.fema.gov
Citizen Corps
Citizen Corps is a component of USA Freedom Corps, created to bring community and government leaders together to make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. Citizen Corps provides opportunities for community members to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. Citizen Corps is coordinated nationally by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In this capacity, FEMA works closely with other federal entities, state and local governments, first responders and emergency managers and the volunteer community. www.citizencorps.gov
The Humane Society of the United States
The HSUS is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than ten million members and constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research, and farm animals. Our mission is to celebrate animals and confront cruelty. The HSUS protects all animals through legislation, litigation, investigation, education, advocacy and field work.A non-profit organization, The HSUS celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in Washington, D.C. and hasregional representativesacross the country. www.hsus.org
SECTION I. BE INFORMED
Pets are an integral part of American society and economy; more than half of households in the United States include pets. During times of disaster, people will risk their lives and the lives of others to save pets. For these reasons, it is critical that individuals have the “know how” to properly prepare themselves and their animals for disasters to save both human and animal lives.
As a result of the 2005 Hurricane season, the importance of disaster preparedness plans for animals reached national attention. The White House’s Federal Response to Hurricane Katrina Lessons Learned Report, February 2006, recommended that federal, state and local governments focus on planning for the evacuation and sheltering of animals. The concern over disaster plans not adequately taking into consideration the pet population and the pet owner population led Congress to enact the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act). The Pets Act broadened FEMA’s responsibility in the evacuation and sheltering of pets during disasters.
Equally important, individuals need to take personal responsibility for the well being of their family and their community, including their pets. By having a plan, keeping proper preparedness supplies on hand and knowing the community’s emergency operations plan (EOP), individuals will have the ability to protect themselves and their pets during a disaster.
Educating citizens in your community on the importance of including pets in their individual and family disaster plans and ensuring that your local emergency response plan includes pets can make a life saving difference for owners and their pets. To begin this effort, know your local emergency plan, and whether there is an animal component, and take time to educate yourself on the Federal, State and local resources that are available to you.
Review Local Emergency Plans
Even the smallest communities have an emergency operations plan which describes how government and private organizations coordinate in a crisis. Emergency managers, elected officials, police or fire department are usually in charge of such a plan. You should be able to request the local emergency operations plan from your emergency management agency. It is important to review and understand your local disaster plan. One component of the emergency plan should describe how the community would deal with an emergency involving animals or people with animals. If it does not mention animals, you may be able to help in the development of the animal component by offering your organization as a resource. It is important to recognize that emergency managers have a great deal of responsibility, that they are aware that it is critical to have a disaster plan for people with animals and that legislation requires them to include pets in the emergency plan. Be sure to approach emergency managers with respect to this and to convey a desire to help them accomplish their goals.
Here are some ways in which you may be able to help:
· Identify your local Citizen Corps Council and/or organize meetings with animal organizations, agencies, businesses and volunteers in your community
· Develop animal or pet disaster plans based on guidance from emergency managers
· Participate in local and state-level disaster programs i.e., training and exercises
· Organize public education preparedness campaigns and activities
Partnerships with emergency managers are successful when these elements occur:
· Trust is built between organizations
· Demonstrated commitment to focused objectives
· Collaboration on disaster preparedness activities
Identify Key Organizations and Leaders
Cooperation among interested individuals and groups is the key to success in many situations, including animals in disasters. Leadership and trust among people is a key to problem solving and resource identification. Prepare a resource list of key organizations and leaders. This can include Citizen Corps Councils, elected leaders, public safety departments i.e., police and fire administrators, public and private animal officials and organizations i.e., animal control and humane shelters, transportation agencies and organizations, public and private building owners, public works and private contractors, and health and medical organizations.
Research Previous Community Efforts
It is important to know if a similar effort in your community was started, but did not succeed and why. Also, success in one community can be an example for success in a similar community. There are many examples of creative leadership, appropriate policies and successful community-based solutions to protect people and pets. One common failure is when one community takes another community’s emergency plan and just changes the name of the community. It is important to adapt the plan to the particular needs of your area. The process of planning can be difficult when working with many organizations, however the relationship building that takes place during the process can be important to the success of a plan during an actual crisis. Your local emergency management office, police department or fire department may be able to provide this sort of information. Another place to look for examples is the Lesson’s Learned Information System (LLIS), www.llis.gov. A fact sheet with information on LLIS and the resources they offer on pet preparedness is attached to this document (download LLIS Animals in Disaster Fact Sheet).
Also, attached are two helpful articles taken from LLIS; “Shelter Operations: Pet-Friendly Shelters,” which outlines the essential issues that jurisdictions should consider when developing plans to provide pet-friendly sheltering for people before, during, or after an emergency that requires a large-scale evacuation. “Pet Sheltering: Building Community Response,” which outlines the role of the local American Red Cross. A best practices example of a local grassroots initiative, “Community Pets ‘N’ Preparedness, Fairfax County, VA,” is attached as well.
Federal, State and Local Resources
There are many resources available to you through the federal government and through local and state agencies and organizations. Listed below are some of these resources.
READY CAMPAIGN
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security consulted with a number of organizations experienced in animal health and wellbeing to develop Ready information for pet owners. These organizations include American Kennel Club (AKC), American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), and Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Included in this Ready Campaign information is a brochure and instructional video that highlight the key steps pet owners should take to prepare themselves and their animals. The brochure and video encourage pet owners to make an emergency supply kit including pet food and water, medications and medical records, leashes, ID tags and other appropriate supplies. The communication pieces also recommend pet owners have an emergency plan that considers their pets needs and that they learn more about the types of emergencies that can happen in their area and the appropriate responses.
Pet owners can download the free brochure and instructional video from the Ready Web site (www.ready.gov), or request a copy of the brochure by calling 1-800-BE-READY. As of July 31, 2008, more than 2.9 million pet brochures have been distributed.
The Department highlights public emergency preparedness through National Preparedness Month (NPM), a nationwide effort held each September to encourage Americans to take simple steps to prepare for emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools. In 2008, more than 2,900 national, regional, state and local organizations participated in National Preparedness Month by distributing information, hosting events and sponsoring activities across the country to promote emergency preparedness. Mark your calendar for next year’s NPM!
FEMA
Below is a list of some of the resources provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These can be found online at www.fema.gov and through FEMA’s Publication Warehouse (http://www.fema.gov/library/index.jsp )
Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS)
The "Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) of 2006," amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to ensure that State and local emergency preparedness operational plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency and broadened FEMA’s responsibility in the evacuation and sheltering of pets during disasters.
National Response Framework http://www.fema.gov/emergency/nrf/
The National Response Framework is a guide that details how the Nation conducts all-hazards response– from the smallest incident to the largest catastrophe. This document establishes a comprehensive, national, all-hazards approach to domestic incident response. The Framework identifies the key response principles, as well as the roles and structures that organize national response. It describes how communities, States, the Federal Government and private-sector and nongovernmental partners apply these principles for a coordinated, effective national response. (See attached National Response Framework Fact Sheet)
The Emergency Management Institute http://training.fema.gov/: offers numerous courses that directly support National efforts to train people at all levels on their role in the Framework.
· EMI’s Independent Study NRF related courses
· EMI's NRF related courses conducted by States