Vol. 4, No. 11, November 2008

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 Contents

SART Advisory Board Meeting + AWR-151!

The Florida SART Advisory Board will meet on December 3rd in the USDA Offices, 8100 NW 15th Place, Gainesville. Following the meeting, lunch will be served on the premises and the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, University of California-Davis will teach AWR-151: Understanding the Dangers of Agroterrorism. Lunch and course are free of charge for registered attendees.

UF's Joan Dusky (left) and FSA's Tim Manning will co-chair the Dec. 3 meeting.
 SART Advisory Board Meeting Agenda:

09:00 Welcome by co-chairs ?Tim Manning and Joan Dusky
09:15 Advisory member survey ?Joan Dusky
09:30 SART Funding for 2009 ?Art Johnstone
09:45 The ?9 SART Conference ?Joe Kight
10:00 Report: Texas-Hurricane Ike (small animal) ?Liz Serca (Liz is with the Texas

Veterinary Medical Assn. and was lead for the small animal response.)
10:40 Report: Texas-Hurricane Ike (large animal) ?David Perry (David led a six-member EMAC team to assist with agriculture damage assessment.)
11:00 FADD Exercise ?Greg Christy and Paul Gibbs
11:30 Wrap-up by co-chairs ?Tim Manning and Joan Dusky
11:45 Adjourn

AWR-151 training builds awareness of the threat agroterrorism to our food supply, the economy and the agricultural infrastructure. Content will include:
    1. Potential impacts of agroterrorism
    2. Recognition of response and recovery resources
    3. Response and coordination strategies for local, state, federal and private entities
    4. Identification of individual roles within a local response team

  
Suggested attendees:
    - Emergency responders, supervisors and
      managers; police, fire/rescue, emergency medical
      and other emergency services
    - Federal, state and local public health agencies
    - Hospital clinicians, administrators and health
      care providers
    - Environmental health and public information
      officers
To the average citizen, the possibility of "agroterrorism?seems remote, but just one effective deployment of a harmful chemical agent in America's food supply could have long-term consequences.
    - Agriculture industries, including cultivation, processing, distribution, storage, transportation and veterinarians
    - Elected or appointed public officials, and extension advisors

NOTE: Please rsvp for the lunch and WIFSS course as soon as possible. Registration: http://wifss.ucdavis.edu/agroterrorism/classes/classesbydate.php.

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Through the Grapevine: SART Lives!

Between meetings at the USDA's FSA office in Gainesville, SART conference co-chair Tim Manning took time to emphasize the importance of the December 3rd SART Advisory Board meeting and the 2009 SART Conference in Cocoa Beach.

Flooding from Hurricane Faye in 2008 was a serious problem in north and central Florida.

"SART is dedicated to all-hazard disaster preparedness, planning, response and recovery for the animal and agriculture sectors in Florida,?Manning says. "This of course means natural disasters such as hurricanes or pest invasions as well as man-made disasters such as a biological terrorist attack or the intentional release of a noxious species.


"So we need input from and coordination with all of our member organizations and agencies. In an emergency there won't be time to scratch our head and wonder who

to call, what to do. So the December 3rd Advisory Board meeting and the March conference in Cocoa Beach are, I would say, critical to fulfilling SART's mission?and moving us forward.



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2009 SART Conference

It has been two years since the popular and successful SART Conference in Clearwater. Certainly, it is time to re-focus on the mission and bring attention to the community of responders.

Florida's 2009 SART Conference begins at 1:00 pm Wednesday March 25 and ends at Noon Friday March 27. It will be held at the Holiday Inn, Cocoa Beach www.hicocoabeachhotelsite.com/. The theme for the Conference is "Home, Ranch and Farm Working Together Works!

A link with registration and the complete, updated
agenda is available at the head of the home page for the SART web site www.flsart.org.

2009 SART Conference-At-A-Glance ?Tentative Agenda

Wednesday
 1:00 Welcome ?Brevard County
        FL SART "Where are we??
 1:30 FACA, a SART partner
 2:15 ESF 11, USDA (FEMA)
 3:30 Citizen Corps (DHS), animal responders
 4:15 DOACS, agro-terrorism

Thursday  8:00 Agriculture economic impact
 9:00 Livestock industries concerns
 10:30 Bio-security on the farm
 11:30 Awards luncheon
 1:00 County ESF 17 ?panel discussion
 2:00 Pet-friendly sheltering
 3:30 Florida VET Corps "How to use it.?
 4:30 Using SART/CART ?panel discussion

Friday  8:00 The honey bee crisis: an update
 8:30 USAR and animals
 9:00 HASMAT training
 Noon Conference Adjourns
The conference hotel, Holiday Inn Cocoa Beach, is offering a special conference rate of $99 single/double. The hotel is located at 1300 N. Atlantic Avenue in Cocoa Beach. This rate is available three days pre- and post-conference for those who might wish to extend or perhaps begin a family vacation with an infusion of Florida's special "SART Energy.?To make hotel reservations, call 800-206-2747 or (321) 783-2271. Ask for "Florida SART Conference?to get the special rate. The cut-off date for reservations is February 24, 2009.

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Reminders & Notes of Interest

1. "AWR-151 Awareness: Understanding the Dangers of Agroterrorism?will be taught Wednesday, December 3rd in the USDA Offices, 8100 NW 15th Place, Gainesville. Lunch at noon; register at 12:30; class from 1:00 to 5:00. Lunch and training are free, through the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security. Registration: http://wifss.ucdavis.edu/agroterrorism/classes/classesbydate.php Information: http://wifss.ucdavis.edu/agroterrorism/classes/course_desc.php For questions contact Art Johnstone, Director, Office of Agricultural Emergency Preparedness, FDACS (850) 410-6758/251-4184.

2. "AgERT-Agricultural Emergency Response Training?will be held at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama (https://cdp.dhs.gov) from November 30-December 6 and later dates. Contact Gordon Harman at (256) 847-2350 or (301) 332-8390 BlackBerry; harmanr@cdpemail.dhs.gov.


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Who's Who in Florida SART ?Name-the-Name

Many individuals have played a vital role in developing the SART organization in Florida, bringing issues to the fore, and teaching the principles of effective response. Can you name the individuals suggested below?

    1. Assoc. Dean for Extension, IFAS/UF, embraced and supported SART concept
    2. Florida ESF-17 Coordinator
    3. Veterinarian, Professor of Virology and specialist in avian-borne diseases
    4. Prime organizer for
    5. Led Florida EMAC team to Texas following Hurricane Ike
    6. First Florida SART Coordinator, now with Texas Veterinary Medical Assn.
    7. Designated July 31, 2007 "Animal Disaster Preparedness Day?br>     8. Florida FSA Dispute Resolution Coordinator and SART co-chair
    9. Florida State Veterinarian and Chief, Division of Animal Industry
    10. Recognized at 2007 SART Conference for service as resource unit leader
    11. UAN-EARS responder promoted SART concept in Hillsborough County area
    12. Director, Office of Agricultural Emergency Preparedness, DOACS

Answers at end of November SART Sentinel.
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It's the little things?

According to one on-line dictionary, an aphorism is "a tersely phrased statement of a truth or opinion.?Thus the common saying "It's the little things that will kill you..." would be a statement of truth or opinion. So, which is it: truth or opinion?

In an adrenaline-fueled emergency, our vision as responders becomes very narrowly focused on the mission, on moving rapidly from Step A to Step B. In a vehicle accident with injuries or the aftermath of a tornado, it is almost impossible to be attentive to the little things ?the wicks in the lantern, the correct emergency radio frequency, a back-up can of water or spare gas, the ropes ?while hearing the groans of trapped individuals or animals.

(Which in itself is a dilemma in rescue and response situations: going forward quickly as team members and yet carefully and safely. Thus the premium not just on practice, but on perfect practice?)

A recent issue of Safety News & Notes (www.flagsafe.ufl.edu/) from UF's Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering pointed to one of those "little things?that can be critical in a stressful

situation ?ropes. As one who has suffered a "bit of a spill?from inadequate attention to rope handling and lived to tell about it, the articles referenced in Carol Lehtola's newsletter are important. Of course, they are oriented toward farm and livestock situations, but they are equally appropriate for responders rappelling or handling large animals or any situation in which nylon rope is involved.

Here are three brief references to nylon rope:
1. The Safe Use of Tow Ropes, Cables and Chains (www.cdc.gov/nasd/docs/d000901-d001000/d000945/d000945.html)
2. Volunteer Fire Fighter Dies After Being Struck by a Shackle on a Recoiling Tow Rope (www.cdc.gov/niosh/fire/reports/face200622.html)
3. County Road Worker Died When a Tow Rope Connection Broke Loose and Struck Him in
    the Head (www.cdc.gov/NIOSH/face/stateface/ok/03ok007.html)

A consideration of the possibilities then brings us back to the aphorism: "It's the little things that will kill you..." So, which is it: truth or opinion?

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Florida's Feral Canids

A Category 4 hurricane sweeps through Central Florida. Millions evacuate, most with their pets, but thousands ?perhaps hundreds of thousands ?do not evacuate. Despite its great population, the region has wonderful woodlands, state parks, forests and even wild lands. There are the usual coyotes, foxes, bobcats and other wild animals (black bears, opossums, raccoons, armadillos) to be aware of, but there is also an indeterminate population of feral dogs...and cats.

A responder's first thought is to help any animal in need, but should that always be the first consideration?

As a responder you and your team join the flood of resources assisting the area's recovery. In the field, a dog ?at least, it looks like a German Shepherd cross ?approaches. Is it feral? Has it simply been left behind by its owner or is it maybe a coyote? Has it been vaccinated? Have you trained to know how to handle this animal to minimize risk to yourself and to the animal?

- - -

APHIS, the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service/Wildlife Services (www.aphis.usda.gov/), is promoting a cooperative plan to
prevent the spread of rabies in feral dogs. "In many parts of the world, rabies transmitted via dogs remains a significant health threat,?noted a recent newsletter.

Bernice Constantin, state director, USDA/APHIS, Wildlife Services, says his office has not been contacted about feral dog problems in Florida. In Puerto Rico, however, Wildlife Services actively assists in controlling feral canines which have, in isolated cases, attacked cyclists, joggers and entered residents?yards and homes. Since Wildlife Services is not a regulatory agency it does not initiate control efforts, but assists when called upon. Constantin referenced his agency's work responding to the county commissioners in Columbia County.

Coyotes are a different story. According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC) they are now found in all 67 counties: most numerous in the Panhandle and least numerous, but increasing in South Florida. Coyotes prey upon goats, calves, hogs, poultry, domestic dogs and cats, watermelons, even small children...whatever does not kill and eat them first. Evidence indicates that light population control via hunting or trapping may even stimulate the coyote population!
The coyote is now found in all of Florida's 67 counties and looks like it is here to stay, a permanent resident of the Sunshine State.
 Distinguishing coyote predation from dog predation can be difficult. Typically, free-running domestic dogs leave victims mutilated because they lack the experience to kill efficiently, and dogs generally do not feed on the carcass. Feral dogs (dogs living entirely in the wild and independent of human care), on the other hand, may be more efficient at killing for food, leaving sign similar to coyote sign. Also, while coyotes usually hunt alone or as a pair, dogs often hunt in packs of various sized members, so various sized tracks around a killed animal may help to indicate dog predation.

Unlike feral dogs, which are released by or escape from their human companions, "Coyotes are here to stay. These animals have been shot, poisoned, trapped, and otherwise harassed by man, yet they have flourished. We should accept their help in controlling rats and mice, respect their tenacity, admire their wildness, and salute their curiosity and playfulness. We should also recognize the potential threat to children, pets, and livestock, not only from direct contact but from their potential to spread diseases such as rabies and canine distemper and be prepared to control the song dog when necessary.?(http://www.canismajor.com/dog/coyote.html#Rab)



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Self-Test: Fill in the Blanks

"In _______ (YEAR), there was a group of agencies and organization who formed a _______ (TYPE OF GROUP) that supported Emergency Support Function _______ (ANIMAL AND AGRICULTURAL ISSUES) at the State Emergency Operations Center. This group is known as the _______ (CURRENT DESIGNATION). This group has met quarterly, participated in emergency response activities, and presented training conferences. By working together we have been able to pool our information and resources to the benefit of the participating entities, their personnel, and ultimately the citizens Florida.?br>

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FEMA CPG #302 ?"Incorporating Household Pets
and Service Animals Considerations Into Emergency Plans?


Comprehensive Preparedness Guide (CPG) #302 is designed to provide guidance for incorporating Household Pets and Service Animals Plans (HPSAP) into local, state, territorial, and tribal emergency operations plans (EOPs).
Household pets and service animals play an important part in people's daily lives. A person's decision to take protective action can be greatly influenced by the safety of their animal(s).

A HPSAP should be an integral component of an all-hazards local, state, territory, or tribal EOP. Each HPSAP should comply with the PETS Act, which contains the following provisions:

     ?nbsp;  It requires that local emergency
         preparedness operational plans take into
         account the needs of individuals with
         household pets andservice animals prior to,
         during, and following a major disaster or
         emergency.
     ?nbsp;  It requires the provision of essential
          assistance(e.g., rescue,care, shelter, and
          basic needs) to individuals with household
          pets and service animals, and to their
          animals, following a disaster.

Excerpt from "Preface"

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Exotic Spotlight: The Asian Swamp Eel
Asian swamp eels, originally from Eastern and Southern Asia, were first introduced to the U.S. in Hawaii in the early 1900s. This species adapts quickly to new environments. It has the potential to become widespread in the U.S. and impact a variety of native aquatic and wetland species, and eventually entire ecosystems.

The Asian swamp eel
animals, including
frogs, tadpoles and other
survive both in hot and
known predators in the
and can easily move
increase their population
because they are active

The Asian Swamp Eel, Monopterus albus is found in the wild in Florida, Georgia and Hawaii.
preys on a variety of
crayfish, shrimp, worms,
fishes. The eels can
cold climates, have no
U.S., can breathe air,
across land! Swamp eels
without detection
primarily at night.
The Asian swamp eel has not yet been found in Everglades National Park, but they have been found less than half a mile from the eastern border of the park. [http://www.fpl.com/environment/exotic/exotic_and_invasive_species_index.shtml]


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About the SART Sentinel

Editor: Rick Sapp, PhD, Technical Writer, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Divis of Animal Industry [rsa5@cox.net]

Associate Editor: Joe Kight, State ESF-17 Coordinator, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services, Division of Animal Industry [kightj@doacs.state.fl.us]

The SART SENTINEL is an E-mail newsletter prepared monthly by Rick Sapp and the members of the Florida State Agricultural Response Team. Past issues of the Sentinel are archived on the Florida SART Web Site, www.flsart.org.

If you have a story or photo that you would like to have considered for publication in The SART SENTINEL, please contact the Editors.

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ANSWERS: Who's Who in Florida SART
    1. Joan Dusky
    2. Joe Kight
    3. Paul Gibbs
    4. John Haven
    5. David Perry
    6. Elizabeth 'Liz?Wang
    7. Charlie Crist
    8. Tim Manning
    9. Tom Holt
    10. Martha Wagaman
    11. Raquel Aluisy
    12. Art Johnstone