Overview
Purpose:
To provide animal control services in case of local disaster which would include, but not limited to, tornadoes, floods, toxic/chemical release, building collapses, train/truck transportation accidents, blizzards, terrorism, or any other disaster, natural or otherwise; and to provide assistance to the Animal Control Department when requested.
General:
The Pottawattamie County Disaster Animal Response Team (PCDART) shall be prepared to take immediate action to minimize animal suffering and provide animal control and public safety services during a disaster, natural or otherwise. This action will include activities prior to, as well as during and after the disaster. This action shall be aimed at all animals that may need help, whether such animals are owned or stray, domestic or wild. In the event of a disaster or emergency the PCDART will provide the best possible emergency services to animal victims and citizens under the direction of the Pottawattamie County Animal Control Supervisor.
Team Responsibilities:
Shelter Operations - This team will be responsible for the care of animals at the main shelter or mobile emergency pet shelters that will be deployed and set up to hold owned and stray animals during a disaster.
Rescue Operations - This team will be responsible for locating and evacuating animals from disaster areas under the direction and authority of the incident commander.
Team Members:
Team members will consist of Pottawattamie County Animal Control staff and volunteers who have met and maintained minimum training requirements based on the disaster response standards established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).