By:
Chris Eversole (352) 392-1864 ext. 215

Source(s):
Greg Christy christg@doacs.state.fl.us, (850) 410-0902
Carol Lehtola cjlehtola@ifas.ufl.edu, (352) 392-1864 ext. 223

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—When hurricanes hit Florida last summer, out- of-state veterinarians cared for animals in affected counties, pet food companies provided free food and suppliers trucked in tons of livestock feed.

The newly formed State Agricultural Response Team (SART) coordinated this relief, providing a live test for its task of improving working relationships statewide during disasters and other emergencies.

“We had just begun SART when we were called into action,” said Greg Christy, who is the SART coordinator and the ESF17 coordinator for the State Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee. “SART had an impact, and we learned many lessons that will help us be more effective in the future.”

SART supported the Tallahassee center as well as field activities. Participating agencies helped get people and supplies where they were needed.

For example, SART connected University of Florida veterinary staff and students with animal shelters in hurricane-hit areas. SART also helped find foster homes for pets across the state and worked with the Humane Society of the United States Southeast Region to fly some pets to foster homes in other states.

SART was formed by a group of cooperating agencies, including the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, the United States Department of Agriculture, the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the Humane Society, the Florida Veterinary Medical Association, the Florida Animal Control Association and Florida Farm Bureau. Much of SART’s funding comes from federal grants provided in response to the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

“Florida’s animal and agriculture are at risk in many ways,” Christy said. “In addition to the threat of hurricanes, we face potential wildfires and drought. We have extensive borders and many ports and airports that can be the entryway for plant and animal diseases.

“Agencies involved with animals and agriculture often work independently of one another,” he said. “SART is improving preparation at the local, regional and state level so that when disasters and emergencies strike, people are ready to help one another and share resources.”

SART is encouraging leaders of producer groups, the Cooperative Extension Service, government agencies and animal and agricultural businesses to form county SART organizations. “County SARTs can cooperate with local emergency managers in responding to the needs of animals and agriculture and in communicating with the public,” Christy said.

“The UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is developing SART training courses, and we have a strong history of publishing disaster preparedness material, including the Disaster Handbook,” said Carol Lehtola, associate professor in the agricultural and biological engineering department. “We’re putting our expertise to work in producing clear and informative material.”

SART will hold training sessions in Kissimmee March 2-4, in Belle Glade April 20-22 and in Tallahassee May 18-20.

Training topics include foreign animal disease detection, pet friendly animal shelters, county emergency planning for agriculture and animals and quarantines.

For more information, call (352) 392-5930 or go to http://www.flsart.org.

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