Region 1
The Region 1 Animal Responce Team has made steady progress in preparing to meet the needs of our citizenry to ensure protection of their animals in the event of a local or Regional disaster. The members of our Emergency Support Function 11 committee include several municipal animal control officers, members of law enforcement, amateur radio specialists, Community Emergency Response Team members, a representative of the Beardsley Zoo, a representative of the Connecticut Humane Society and an attorney who serves as our legal advisor.
In 2008 the Region 1 Animal Response Team were provided a budget for equipment, supplies and volunteer training for the Region. Future budget proposals have been approved and will allow us to create a robust preparedness and response mechanism for Region 1. We are working directly with the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport, Connecticut to develop a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to allow utilization of their facilities, including their veterinary hospital, as a site to house and care for animals in the event of a large Regional disaster involving animals.
Exercises planned for this year include a collaborative shelter training event in conjunction with the Town of Fairfield and the American Red Cross, which is scheduled to take place in April, 2009. The Region 1 Animal Response Team is also planning a Regional training event in cooperation with the American Humane Association, a national animal welfare organization, which will take place in the Fall of 2009.
