Call 1-888-452-7381 for Horse Rescue or information about Emergency Evacuation of horses during brush fires
The Departmental Air Rescue Team (D.A.R.T.) is comprised of L.A. Animal Control Officers trained for emergency rescue operations using helicopters and special equipment. The D.A.R.T is also trained to deal with equestrian emergencies and rescues. They are on call 24-hours a day, 7-days-a-week for rescue operations and are frequently used by both Fire and Police Departments statewide to conduct animal rescue operations. The D.A.R.T. can be reached by calling 1-888-452-7381
The D.A.R.T team members are Captain Karen Knipscheer Cox, Captain Jan Selder, Officer Hugh Briefman, Officer Eric Gardner, Officer William Tranzow, Officer Verna Riparip, Officer Susan Greenberg, Officer Susan Botta and Officer Stacey Dancy.
Living and owning horses in
Southern California has its special challenges, particularly where
emergency preparedness is concerned. It is every horse owner's
responsibility to have an Emergency Plan in place. This includes
making arrangements to evacuate or preparing an area were horses
can remain safe during an emergency event.
Animal Control agencies and volunteers are available to help evacuate
horses during an emergency event, but when you consider the realities
of navigating narrow roads to evacuate large number of horses
in front of a fast moving fire (or other emergency event) no one
can guarantee that they will be able to get into your yard to
evacuate your horses. You are the only one that can plan
to keep your horses safe, either by early evacuation or ensuring
they can be safely sheltered in place.
EVACUATE EARLY! If you do plan to evacuate as part of your Emergency Plan, EVACUATE EARLY! Go as soon as your hear an Evacuation Warning -- do not wait for an Evacuation Order. When the Fire Department issues an Evacuation Warning it means that area is under threat. It is vital for horses to be evacuated early from threatened areas so horse trailers do not interfere with emergency response vehicles. Being under an Evacuation Warning means your horses must go NOW, sometimes before you see flames near your area. If you wait until you get the Evacuation Order it is often too late, as the roads can become too crowded to safely move a horse trailer out of harms way.
TRAIN YOUR HORSES TO TRAILER, and have a working trailer available during fire season! If your horse is not trained to load into a trailer, or will not load easily or safely, you must work in advance to make your horses' area as safe as possible to Shelter in Place. It will not be useful to call someone to help evacuate your horse if it cannot be loaded into a trailer. You can check with the Fire Department on the clearance regulations for sheltering in place.
Where will you take your
horses if an evacuation were necessary? Make plans with a friend or facility outside
of the danger area where you can take your animals if you choose
to evacuate. Emergency Sheltering Sites can fill up and many have
restrictions on the horses they can accept. Have an alternate
plan for your horse and livestock.
If your horses are being housed at a Boarding Stable in
a danger area, talk with the Stable Manager about their Emergency
Plan. Many stables have safe areas where the horses can be sheltered
in place. If your stable is planning to evacuate during an emergency,
find out now how this is to be done and where the horses are to
be taken.
DO NOT TURN YOUR HORSES
LOOSE!! Although your
instinct may be to let your animals loose in the event of a wildland
fire, your animals are safer in their corrals. In the 1993 Old
Topanga Fire the only horse fatality was a horse that was let
loose.
Loose horses can pose a life threatening danger to themselves,
the public and to emergency responders.
10 things you can do NOW to prepare your horses for an emergency
event
1. Plan NOW for Emergency Sheltering For Your Horses. As well as becoming overcrowded many designated sheltering sites will not accept stallions, mares with foals, horses who will not tie or horses with other special needs or situations. Make plans now to house your horses with friends, at a commercial stable or other suitable sites out of the danger area. Discuss your plans with everyone in your family and keep the address and driving directions in your emergency kit.
2. Become Involved With (or Start) Your Own Neighborhood Network.
During a disaster we will all need to help each other. Neighbors
can work together to help the horse owners on their street who
do not have a horse trailer.
3. Make A List of Emergency Contacts. Include your local
emergency response, sheltering site and veterinary numbers as
well as family contact information. Space is provided on the back
of this brochure - keep copies in your car or trailer as well
as in your house.
4. Take Photographs and prepare a written description
of each horse. Put one set in a safe place and another set in
your emergency kit.
5. Have a Halter and Rope Readily Available for Each Horse. Make sure halters are marked/engraved with your contact information. Keep duct tape available, you can write the information on a piece of duct tape and stick it on the halter. Include your name, address and home phone, along with an alternate contact number. If your horse has medical issues or special needs, record this information on a luggage tag and attach it to the halter.
6. Microchip your horses. This is an easy, inexpensive
way to help identify all of your animals.
7. Have a 3 Day Supply of Feed and Water (per Horse). This
is particularly important if you plan to shelter in place, but
you should also bring feed (and buckets!) if you evacuate. Make
sure to include any medications your horse may need. Label ALL
of your equipment.
8. Teach Your Horses How to Trailer. Spend time loading
and unloading your horses so they are safe and willing to load.
9. Keep Trucks, Trailers
and Vans Well-Maintained and Ready to Move. Keep your gas tank full, particularly during Red Flag
Warning days. Continue working with your horses until you
are confident they will load.
10. Make a Disaster Preparedness Kit. Store non-perishable supplies in a portable container such as a clean trash can, bucket or canvas duffle bag.
Your kit should include:
o Leads, Halters, Shanks
o 3 Day Supply of Feed/Water/Meds
o Portable Radio with Extra Batteries
o Buckets for Feed/Water
o Emergency Contact List/ ID Photos
o Flashlights
o Cell Phone with Charger
o 1st Aid Kit
o Leg Wraps
o Blanket or Sheet
o Hoof Pick
o Tarps
o Sharp Knife
o Shovel
o Water Hose
o Duct Tape
o Wire Cutters
Take the time to Develop an Emergency Plan TODAY!
It is a well known
fact that horse owners are much more likely to evacuate early
when they have:
1) An Emergency Plan
2) Available supplies
3) A pre-arranged destination where they feel familiar and comfortable.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION
Your Local Animal Control
Your Veterinarian
Your Sheltering Site
Your Family and Out-Of-Area Contacts
EVACUATING EARLY CAN SAVE
YOUR HORSES LIFE!!!
From Michelle Roache, Deputy
Director
Special Enforcement & Outreach
County of Los Angeles
Department of Animal Care & Control
5898 Cherry Avenue
Long Beach, CA 90805
562-728-4644 office
562-422-3408 fax