UFVMC trains disaster first responders for large animals

April 28, 2006

Who: The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine and the Veterinary Medical Center Large Animal Hospital

What: UF’s Veterinary Medical Center will hold a three-day training course for large animal first responders and rescue teams. The Large Animal Emergency Rescue Training program is designed for emergency first responders, fire/rescue personnel and veterinarians. The program consists of classroom and hands-on training in large animal rescue operations and teaches proper technique and organizational structure for rescue operations during disasters such as hurricanes, floods, fire and other emergency situations.

When: May 3-5, 2006

Where: UF Veterinary Medical Center, 2015 S.W. 16th Ave., Gainesville

Background: This course provides training for air lift rescue, night searches, water and/or mud rescues, trailer accidents and fire rescue and is the foundation for the UFVMC’s emergency response team known as the Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service, or VETS. The VETS team, which comprises almost 50 faculty members and staff volunteers, works with the state veterinarian’s office, administratively a part of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The team also is a component of the State Agricultural Response Team and operates out of the State Incident Command Post during disaster situations.

Contact: Dr. Dana Zimmel, Equine Extension Veterinarian, UFVMC (352) 392-4700, ext. 5666 or e-mail zimmeld@mail.vetmed.ufl.edu.