New Resources help First Responders with
 Barn Fires and Livestock Traffic Accidents

APRIL 3, 2007 - (GUELPH, ON) –   Barn fires and traffic accidents become more complicated when farm animals are involved. Three new resources were released at the Ontario Farm Animal Council (OFAC) meeting today to help equip emergency personnel with more information on what to do in emergencies with livestock or poultry. 

 “Today very few people have any experience or training for dealing with livestock and poultry, and that includes those who are called to the scene of an accident or a barn fire,” stated Crystal Mackay, Executive Director of OFAC.   “People and animals can be in danger without proper training equipment and planning to deal with terrified or injured animals.”

 OFAC is working on training and information that can help personnel responding to these emergencies, for human safety, animal welfare and general good for the industry.  Two new fact sheets were added to the existing resources for emergency personnel on the topics of “Barn Fires Involving Livestock” and “Livestock on the loose at accident scenes”.  

 The fact sheets cover such topics as:

• Tips and hints for containing animals at an accident
• Animal behaviour
• Considerations for different types of barn fires
• Questions 911 dispatchers should ask

  The fact sheets are the latest steps in OFAC’s efforts to provide enhanced educational opportunities for emergencies dealing with livestock, including a complete guide and information on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Livestock Transport Emergency number. A third article has been written for livestock and poultry farmers for prevention and response to barn fires on their own farms.

 OFAC held two sold out workshops in Ontario for first responders to livestock transportation emergencies this past fall, and a third will be held later this week in Barrie, Ontario.  A similar workshop focusing specifically on poultry emergencies was held in February. 

Mackay said that each of the workshops drew more than double the attendees than were expected. This, she said, shows that there is a desire to learn more about the issue. Said Mackay, “It’s important that those responding have the tools and information they need to deal with farm animal-related emergencies.”

The fact sheets and courses were developed by Jennifer Woods of J. Woods Livestock Services, Alberta. Woods is a leading expert on livestock handling and emergencies who has offered her training across North America. Woods is trained and certified in Large Animal Rescue and has been assisting on accident scenes since 1998.

All the resources on livestock emergencies, including the new fact sheets are all available on OFAC’s website at www.ofac.org  or by contacting the OFAC office at (519) 837-1326.   The Ontario Farm Animal Council is the voice of animal agriculture representing Ontario’s livestock and poultry farmers and associated businesses on the issues in animal agriculture.

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Crystal Mackay, Executive Director, Phone: 519-837-1326  email: cmackay@ofac.org