The animal agriculture industry is robust in the United States where millions of animals are transported weekly for various reasons. Transportation of animals occurs as part of the food system, for exhibition and for recreation; it is rare to find a day or highway where trucks and trailers hauling single, multiple or groups of animals does not occur. The transportation process comes with several risks that are associated with it, as unexpected accidents involving livestock can occur. These types of situations can quickly become chaotic with risks to the safety of the responders to the accidents, the welfare of the animals involved and the safety of the public, traveling the roadways.
In order to assist first responders, law enforcement officials and the animal agriculture industry to be prepared for these situations, Michigan State University Extension has developed programming focused on Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL). This program is designed to support Michigan’s animal agriculture industry by providing resources to assist in the response to accidents that involve animals. The ERAIL Program focuses on three essential aspects including:
Training first responders and animal transport professionals on how to respond effectively to transportation accidents when animals are involved.
Providing access to essential equipment required to mount an effective response, and training in its proper use.
Creating an organized network of trained responders throughout the state.
On June 15, 2023, the MSU Extension ERAIL Team will host an in-person, hands-on training focused on increasing the awareness and skill set of first responders, law enforcement officials and others that may be involved in the response to an accident involving animals. This training will develop or refine the skills needed for responders to accident scenes. It is expected that participants will come from varied professions and backgrounds, making this training experience robust and beneficial for all. Participants of this training will receive animal handling and behavior instruction and a better understanding of how to handle compromised animals. They will also be provided the opportunity to utilize handing equipment to move cattle, pigs, horses, turkeys, and honeybees while under the instruction of species experts. An ERAIL Response Trailer stocked with equipment, horse trailers and a large livestock transport trailer will be available for participants to view and tour during the training.
This one-day ERAIL Training will be held at the Berlin Fairgrounds located at 2008 Berlin Fair Dr, Marne, MI 49435and will start at 9:00 a.m. The cost of this training is $75 per person or $60 per person for groups of 2 or more, please note no refunds will be given after June 10, however substitutions may be made after that date. Registration is limited.
The training will also provide attendees an excellent opportunity to network with local law enforcement groups, as well as formulate key questions for the continuous improvement of the systems they are each involved with.
Source: msu.edu
Photo Credit: MSU Extension
Categories: Michigan, Education