Vol. 12, No. 10, September 2016 |
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SART Partner, UF VETS, Exercise Equine Helicopter Technical Rescue
On Friday, September 16th, the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine Disaster Response Team, UF VETS, coordinated a helicopter technical rescue with members of the Marion County Sheriff’s all volunteer Mounted Unit, the St. John’s County technical rescue team, and the Florida Forest Service helicopter team based in Ocala.
The twenty responder participants used UF’s “Randy,” which is a life-like horse mannequin, and an Anderson Sling which is a specialized sling used for extended duration lifts and support of horses.
This kit also includes specialized pieces for airlift, including a drogue chute which catches the helicopter down draft and prevents the horse from spinning.
The team received a safety briefing regarding operating around the helicopter, and the significant shock that could be delivered by the lifting cable if not handled safely. The engine and rotor blades create a massive static charge that must be grounded before someone can touch the cable.
After moving to a remote part of the Ocala Airport, the team was instructed by UF VETS team member Josh Fleming to apply the Anderson Sling.
The group was broken into teams of 6, operating under the direction of Josh Fleming, with John Haven as the overall scene safety officer. The helicopter, in NIMS (National Incident Management System) terms, was a Type II, helicopter, better known as a Bell Huey. Type II helicopters can lift 2500 lbs, which provides an adequate safety margin for lifting most horses.
Most sheriff observation and medical evacuation helicopters are Type III, and are unable to lift enough weight to do the job. The technique requires more than just a specific helicopter, but also a special pilot. Operating an aircraft with a heavy load suspended below it requires great care since that weight can become a swinging pendulum and create a significant safety hazard to responders and the animal.
Members of both groups were able to participate as part of the animal extrication team. With each pass, the helicopter gently pulled into a position 50 feet over the team. A grounding cable was released which allowed the team to connect a 15-foot polyester cable, that in turn connected to the Anderson Sling.
Under incredibly fine control, Chief Pilot Fender inched the helicopter up until the mannequin was well off the ground. Then the pilot made a lap of the airfield, and returned “Randy” back down on the ground as gently as he picked it up.
The team then disconnected the polyester cable from the steel cable, which had a quick release on the end, and could be operated by the pilot. Similarly, the horse’s lead rope was removed prior to lift off.
The need for a helicopter rescue in Florida is very rare given the terrain and other available options. In more mountainous terrain, however, helicopter rescues are far more common. This is largely due to the speed in which a horse can be flown to safety versus a potentially long and difficult trying to negotiate challenging terrain with a heavy load.
Florida's Integrated Rapid Response Team Actives for Hurricane Hermine
In March 2010, a report by the Produce Safety Project, an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts, ranked Florida fourth in the nation for number of foodborne illnesses. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions, states the number of foodborne illness cases are 82 million a year in the United States of which 4.9 million cases are attributed to Florida.
Tasked with handling these incidents is Florida’s Integrated Rapid Response Team (FLIRRT). FLIRRT is a multiagency response team using the best skills and expertise available to jointly respond to an adverse food or feed incident or event utilizing the Incident Command Structure for a uniform and efficient response or recovery. Partners include: • Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services • Florida Department of Health • Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations • Food and Drug Administration • United States Department of Agriculture
On September 1, 2016, FLIRRT was activated for Hurricane Hermine. Directed by FDACS’ Food Safety Incident Management Team, nine strike teams of field personnel were deployed to 32 counties for the assessment of over 2,000 food establishments in the affected areas. Two additional strike teams comprised of personnel from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Department of Health, and the Food and Drug Administration personnel completed assessments via phone calls.
During assessments, staff provided food establishments with boil water guidelines, damaged food guides, and guidance for industry after a weather emergency.
More information may be found at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/content/download/65472/1567571/DamagedFoodGuidance.pdf
Enrollment Open: Awareness Level Small Animal Emergency Sheltering Course
The Florida State Animal Response Coalition has upcoming opportunities for their Awareness Level Small Animal Emergency Sheltering courses
When disaster strikes, the team of trained volunteer responders will be there to shelter and protect Florida's companion animals.
The Awareness Level course gives students the knowledge necessary to work in an emergency animal shelter. This class provides expertise and practical experience required to become a professional disaster animal responder. The course is certified by the Florida Department of Emergency Management and is required to respond in Florida to help companion animals and their owners during a disaster.
Course topics include: Personal Preparedness, Overview of the Incident Command System, Deployment Preparedness, Assisting in Shelter Setup, Daily Care and Feeding, Proper Cage Cleaning and Disinfection, Animal Behavior, Stress Management, Zoonotic Diseases, and Personal Safety.
For more information about the courses, and to register, please visit: http://flsarc.org/Training.html
October 15 Course – Sarasota, FL
When: Saturday, October 15, 2016, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Where: Cat Depot Education Resource Center, 2542 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234
October 16 Course – Clay County, FL
When: Sunday, October 16, 2016, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM EDT
Where: Clay County Emergency Operations Center, 2519 SR 16 West, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043