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Livestock Emergency Response for First Responders

Extension Education

Brenda Jackson
County Extension Coordinator
University of Georgia
Chatsworth

Abstract

In March 2022, a cattle pot trailer with 108 feeder cattle, weighing an average of 550 pounds each, rolled over in Pulaski County, Georgia.  Large trailers on narrow roads with low/soft shoulders, have strong potential to rollover, especially if animals shift their weight. The Livestock Emergency Response Program (LERP) is a 5-hour class designed to provide attendees with necessary skills to respond to a roadway incident effectively and safely.  The 2022 LERP trainings were held at four locations across Georgia: Murray, Dougherty, Coweta, and Warren.  First responders were the target audience and included law enforcement, EMS, fire, animal transportation professionals, tow truck operators, emergency management professionals, veterinarians, and public safety officials.  The goal was to prepare them for a roadway livestock emergency, thus allowing them to improve animal welfare, reduce public perception issues and enhance safety for responders, the public, and livestock on scene.  In addition to classroom instruction, attendees participated in hands-on activities and real-world scenarios to enhance the following topics: Transportation and Hazards; Biosecurity and Mortality Management; Incident Command and Debrief; Animal Behavior; and Animal Handling and Trailers. Continuing education units were offered for GA POST, GA FF Standards and Training, TRIP and others.  Program partners were the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Department of Transportation, University of Georgia Extension, Georgia TIME Task Force and local Cattleman’s Associations.  125 participants attended the four workshops representing 16 counties: Bullock, Carroll, Clark, Coweta, Dougherty, Gordon, Henry, Houston, Glascock, Lowndes, McDuffie, Monroe, Murray, Pulaski, Tift, and Warren.   Thirty-three attendees completed evaluations and results indicated that 78% strongly agreed that the content was useful and the time dedicated was appropriate; over 80% strongly agreed it built on their existing knowledge, they learned methods/practices they could apply to mitigate incident impacts and they better appreciated the responder and motorist safety element of TIM in quick clearance of livestock emergency incidents; 88% of attendees felt that goals and objectives were clearly explained and 85% felt materials were clear and delivered at an appropriate pace; 79% felt that training aids facilitated understanding and over 90% strongly agreed the trainer’s subject matter knowledge was satisfactory.

Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: Brenda Jackson, James Morgan, Stephanie Butcher, Tammy Cheely, Jason Duggin
  1. Jackson, B. County Extension Coordinator, UGA Extension - Murray County, Georgia, 30705
  2. Morgan, J. County Extension Coordinator, UGA Extension - Dougherty County, Georgia, 31701
  3. Butcher, S. County Extension Coordinator, UGA Extension - Coweta County, Georgia, 30263
  4. Cheely, T. County Extension Coordinator, UGA Extension - Warren County, Georgia, 30828
  5. Duggin, J. Beef Extension Specialist, UGA Department of Animal and Dairy Science, Georgia, 30701