Michigan Ag Connection - Extension Team Focuses on Livestock Industry Preparedness

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Extension Team Focuses on Livestock Industry Preparedness
Michigan Ag Connection - 07/27/2021

When tragedy strikes while hauling animals, having trained responders, proper tools, and equipment and knowing how to manage the emergency situation are key to having an effective and efficient response to the emergency.

First responders, law enforcement officials, and others who may be responding to an accident involving livestock can receive proper training on how to respond to these situations using the MSU Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) program.

Being a first responder is a difficult calling. Responding to an accident that involves large trucks, people and animals can quickly turn into a chaotic event if the local response team is not prepared or trained to handle such an occurrence. The MSU Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) program is designed to provide training and resources for people who may be responding to accidents involving animals. This program focuses on providing a network of highly trained, skilled individuals who have the tools and equipment needed to complete an effective and efficient response, while also protecting the safety of the public traveling the roadways, the responders assisting with the accidents, the welfare of the animals involved, and the public image of the animal agriculture industry.

The ERAIL program is focused on three efforts which include: hands-on training for responders, an extensive virtual training option using the MSU D2L platform, and the acquirement of response trailers that house specialized tools and equipment needed to assist in these types of situations. To date, the ERAIL program has trained responders in 36 counties in Michigan, trained representatives from seven different states and fully equipped three response trailers in the state to be used in accident response.

A brief overview of the program, additional impacts of the ERAIL program and contact information for program leadership can be found on the Agriculture and Agribusiness Impacts page at https://bit.ly/3BJiOL1.

For more information on how to get involved in this program, upcoming training opportunities or to source an equipped response trailer for your area of Michigan please contact a member of the ERAIL team. Specific information can be found by contacting MSU Extension educators Beth Ferry at franzeli@msu.edu or Tom Guthrie guthri19@msu.edu.

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