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Who Are We?
The Tri-State County Animal Response Team (Tri-State CART) is a 501(c)3
non-profit, volunteer group formed in May of 2006.
Our
volunteer members are local concerned and trained citizens who want to
make sure that in the event of a declared disaster or state of
emergency, there is preparation, planning and manpower in place for the
welfare of all animals affected by the disaster. We are recognized as
the official disaster response team for animals in southwest Ohio
(Region 6) by the Ohio Department of Homeland Security and the Ohio
Veterinary Emergency Responders (OVER.) OVER is the response
team
at the state level in Ohio and reports to the Department of Agriculture.
We
have made great progress since we started, though a lot of it is
"behind the scenes." Take a look at our "2007 Year in Review"
(found on the Website Navigation page) for a better understanding of
how much has been accomplished. Some of the county teams have
been formed and we are continuing to expand the leadership, membership
and resources in the counties we cover. All county team
members
are also members of "Tri-State CART" which covers the whole area shown
on the map above. These volunteers, in association with local
officials and other animal resources, will provide for the evacuation
and temporary care of animals during a local declared disaster
WHAT DISASTERS?
Possible disasters that could affect this area include, but are not
limited to:
Severe
winter storms- Most local counties have had federally declared
disasters within the past 25 years because of these types of storms and
the problems they cause. Heavy snow can prevent you from
moving to a
safer, warmer location that has power. Heavy snow can last
for days.
Ice-
This can break power lines causing entire cities to be without
electricity, make travel to a safer, warmer location impossible and
impede or prohibit the response of emergency crews. If you
are not
prepared to shelter in place without power for several days, this could
be a dangerous or deadly situation. Safe, non-electric
sources of heat
are essential.
Extended Power Outages-
Especially
if temperatures are very high or very low. With everyone
using more
and more power, these could become more common. This could
also affect
just one community that includes an animal shelter, farms and homes
with pets if something like an auto accident, ice storm or transformer
explosion involves a major power supply. Power outage is often a
component of other disasters.
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Tornadoes-
Even urban areas are not immune. Tornadoes and severe
straight
line winds have effected many areas in tri-state counties.
Floods - The Ohio river and the smaller rivers around this area have
crested their banks many times. In smaller scale emergencies,
the
back-up of a sewer system into a facility or home could cause an
evacuation or bio-hazardous situation.
No water- If a main water supply line breaks or is disrupted, will you
be able to care for yourself and your animals until water is restored
and deemed safe? If pipes freeze, and weather conditions
prevent
travel, do you have stored water?
Fires- This could be a wild fire, barn fire or a house/apartment fire.
Are you prepared to evacuate your home in a matter of minutes?
Chemical spills- Could be from a rail car, tractor trailer or chemical
plant. On a small scale, it could be pesticides or some other
chemical that is knocked over or dropped and spilled/combined causing a
small but immediate evacuation need. If you are within 5
miles of
a through road, rail line or business that uses chemicals, you could be
effected.
Explosions- From chemicals, fuels or other volatile
substances. This could be stationary locations like
businesses or
home meth labs or a moving source such as trucks, rail cars or
aircraft.
Disease outbreak- If many people are getting sick and going to the
hospital, who will care for their pets and livestock? Orders
to
stay home may be issued by the government and enforced by law
enforcement to prevent the spread of disease. It could take
months or longer for a disease to run it's course. Even if
you
could go out, all the businesses would be closed. If it's an
animal to animal disease, people will need help caring for their pets
or livestock or a quarantine may need to be enforced. If many
animals are dying, carcass disposal and prevention of bio-hazards from
decomposition can be a big issue.
Civil Unrest- Cincinnati has had riots in the past and could have them
again. The scale would be determined by the cause of the
upset.
Terrorist acts- No one knows what tomorrow may bring. The
U.S.
has already been attacked and it could happen again effecting health,
utilities, transportation, etc.
Loss of employees or help- If disease, quarantines or injury affects
the people that help you with your farm, stable, kennel, shelter, etc.,
will you still be able to function and care for the animals that rely
on you?
For complete information goto www.TriStateCART.com
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