The Rhode Island Disaster Animal Response Team (RIDART) is entering a new, more secure and forward-looking phase of its development. There are now about 200 members, including two Shelter Management Teams, one for each of the two State Emergency Animal Care Centers that could be opened, if local shelters are overwhelmed. There are also members dedicated to support of wildlife and large animals in State disasters. Thanks to support from energetic volunteers and several state and federal, governmental and non-governmental agencies, the team is now well-identified and equipped. Among key supporters of this new phase of development are the RI Department of Environmental Management (DEM), RI Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA), Citizen Corps, US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), RI Veterinary Medical Foundation (RIVMF), Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), the City of Warwick, and the University of Rhode Island.

RIDART is also now working to solidify recent gains by forming its own non-profit organization and contracting for administrative and development services, engaging professionals to raise money and to manage day-to-day operations of the organization. A recent grant, a statewide Summit, and national certification greatly advanced these efforts. In partnership with the Department of Environmental Management,) RIDART received a $20,000 Emergency Preparedness Initiative grant from State Animal Response Team (SART) and PetSmart Charities, Inc. The grant funded a two-day RIDART Summit at the Coastal Institute, on URI's Bay Campus, January 23-24, and assured national certification as well as funds for sustaining RIDART.

This SART program is part of a nationwide effort to improve care for animals. SART is a non-profit public/private partnership based in North Carolina that promotes uniform preparation and response for animal emergencies using an incident command system (ICS). The Program requires a state match, which DEM has fulfilled by purchasing a pair of animal emergency response trailers to be used in a State emergency. Each trailer contains enough non-perishable supplies and equipment – everything from crates, leashes, and laptop computers to portable generators and cooling fans – for sheltering at least 200 cats and dogs.

The first day of the RIDART Summit, January 23, focused on risks of disasters and potential responses for the RI dairy industry. About 50 people attended. They included managers and owners of nearly every RI dairy, as well as processing, transportation and regulatory agency staff from RI, neighboring states, and the regional office of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Participants discussed the scope of emergencies that could affect RI dairies, ranging from prolonged power outages, structural damage due to storm or fire, injury or illness of key personnel, and outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease. Dairies produce the most perishable of farm products and would be more vulnerable to movement restrictions than other livestock owners. In an outbreak, RI dairies might face such restrictions even if their own cattle were disease-free. Participants discussed ways to avoid or at least limit losses in an outbreak.

The second session, on Saturday, January 24, focused on shelter and rescue of pets in an emergency. About 60 volunteers attended. The morning session covered the basics of incident command and shelter operation for current and prospective RIDART members. The afternoon session included exercises especially for people interested in learning more about leadership opportunities on the shelter management teams for the two State shelters.

For more information or to sign up, see the RIDART website: www.RIDART.org.

See also the new on-line gateway to public information on animal care before, during, and after a disaster: www.EmergencyAnimal.Info. There is similarly comprehensive on-line Help For RI Cities and Towns, to help them prepare for emergency animal care and to comply with the federal PETS Act. These websites are hosted by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.

And check out RIDART's new Facebook page, which includes a link to photos from the 2009 RIDART Summit.