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A Note to Our Readers
To Our Readers:
As the Bay Area SUASI prepares to assume responsibility for additional grant programs and projects, the Bay Area SUASI Dispatch will be published on a quarterly basis, rather than as a monthly. Although the Dispatch will have a new look, it will continue to feature substantive and timely articles that will help to keep you informed and engaged.
The Bay Area SUASI remains committed to providing quality program development and leadership to the region. It is truly our pleasure to provide this service to you.
Thank you for your continued support.
Regards,
Laura Phillips
SUASI General Manager
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Citizen Preparedness Grant Funds Pilot Pet Emergency Plan
For lifelong animal lover Tracey Stevens-Martin, Project Manager of the Contra Costa County Pet Emergency Preparedness (CCCPEP) program, it has become a daily mission to ensure that animals are incorporated into emergency response efforts, not only for the safety of the animals themselves, but for the safety of pet owners and others.
During Hurricane Katrina, rescue efforts focused mainly on removing humans from harm's way. Evacuation plans did not include immediate formal recourse for animals, and many individuals refused to evacuate without their beloved pets. As a result, rescue efforts were ultimately hampered. Following these events, the Bay Area American Red Cross recognized the lack of local animal-focused response efforts during the estimated 3-5 day waiting period for assistance from animal rescue organizations. In 2005, the Red Cross and Contra Costa County Animal Services discussed developing a pilot plan to incorporate the animal element into local disaster response and recovery efforts. Following this meeting, Contra Costa County Animal Services created CCCPEP with the support of the local Office of Emergency Services (OES).
A 2006 SUASI Citizen Preparedness grant in the amount of $100,000 funded the development of the countywide  plan, specifically designed to be transferable to other counties. Contra Costa County Animal Services was selected by the Red Cross because it is one of the few county-wide animal services agencies. The grant also funded initial resources and animal preparedness training for over 350 residents of Contra Costa County, and supplies ranging from generators to kennels for on-location emergency animal care for up to 300 small animals. In cooperation with Contra Costa OES, the Contra Costa CERT Planning Committee, and many existing local and regional animal care organizations, CCCPEP began operations in January 2006.
To read more about CCCPEP, click the full story link below.
[FULL STORY]
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Spotlight on Initiative
Preparing Community Partners for Catastrophe
In the wake of a disaster, when regional emergency support is not always immediately available, localized response efforts are key. Previous disasters have demonstrated that faith, community, civic, service, and other groups are most often the first to respond to the needs in their own communities. In 2004, the American Red Cross, Bay Area Catastrophic Planning Group was formed from employees and volunteers, who worked in collaboration with the SUASI Mass Care Workgroup. Incorporating lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina, the  Planning Group eventually developed a plan that would focus on partnering with existing community institutions to provide initial care and shelter services to affected communities until a more structured relief operation is in place.
“In the Bay Area, our ability to survive and ultimately recover from a catastrophic disaster is less dependent on one agency than it is upon the combined efforts of many agencies and organizations,” says Aaron Litwin of the American Red Cross Bay Area, who has been managing the CAT (Catastrophic Event Partner Organization Shelter Training) Project since its inception on October 1, 2007.
To learn more about the CAT Project, click the full story link below.
[FULL STORY]
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