LANSING – Responding to accidents is never an easy task. Responding to an accident that involves large trucks, people and animals can quickly turn into a chaotic event if the local response team is not prepared or trained to handle such an occurrence. Following several livestock truck rollovers over the last few years in Michigan and adjacent states, Michigan State University-Extension along with the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Pork Producers Association and local Farm Bureau organizations recognized the need to have a network of trained people across the state to respond to these situations. In order to help local sheriffs/police, fire crews, ambulances, veterinarians and other officials prepare for rollovers of semis pulling livestock trailers, MSU-Extension is coordinating specialized training for livestock accident responders.
This event will be held September 23 (8:30 a.m. registration, workshop will begin at 9:00 and end at 4:00 p.m.) at the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education, 4301 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI. The program is aimed at helping response teams plan for and respond to rollover accidents involving livestock. This one-day training focuses on managing the scene of an accident, organizing volunteers and working to ensure public safety and animal welfare. Participants will learn about extrication of trapped animals from trucks/trailers, management of a rollover accident incident, chain of command, safe handling of large animals, and humane euthanasia techniques for severely injured animals. The program will consist of both in-class and hands-on training. We anticipate that class participants will build a network of responders, and act as advisors within their communities to assist other first responders and emergency response personnel when these events occur and livestock need to be rescued from overturned trailers. They will be provided with training and material required to help organize local responders in their communities.
Training provided will highlight industry experts in this area and include people who have participated directly in transportation accidents involving livestock. Certification of course completion will be issued for all program attendees by Michigan State University – Extension.
To register for this comprehensive training that provides extensive education, advice and guidance on managing the scene of a livestock truck/trailer rollover accident, please use the following link: https://events.anr.msu.edu/EmergencyResponseTraining92319/
Questions about the training can be directed to: Beth Ferry at 269-876-2745 or franzeli@msu.edu , Dave Thompson at 517-279-4311 or thom1637@msu.edu , Tom Guthrie at 517-788-4292 or guthri19@msu.edu or Paola Bacigalupo-Sanguesa at 970-888-1356 or paolabs@anr.msu.edu .
