Welcome to May 2022 NewsNotes
Greetings to our HALTER Project Community
It's a busy, busy time, prepping homes, animals, and ourselves for what may be a very active readiness and response season.

For our Bay Area and other NorCal Area readers, here are 3 great education opportunities. All are in-person and will fill up fast. But you can request an RDPC training for your agency anywhere in the US, or find a reputable resource to deliver a Trailer Safety course in your area. Get inspired, get (or refresh) training, and ramp up your readiness.

We’re also sharing a few snapshots from activities in which HALTER Project participated. Most recently, the CalOES-California Army Nat’l. Guard Sentinel Response Disaster Simulation Exercise and the NorCal Disaster Expo.

We were very honored to be tasked with recruiting resources for the first-ever Sentinel Response Animal Branch, in just 2 short months. And what a stellar team we had!!
Huge thanks and kudos to:
Animal Decon
UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team, Lais Costa, DVM, Lead
Sonoma County Animal Services
El Dorado County Sheriff Search and Rescue and Mounted SAR
Mendocino County Sheriff Search and Rescue
Mendocino Community Animal Response Team
Oiled Wildlife Care Network, Michael Ziccardi, DVM, Lead
American Red Cross, (Marin and Sonoma leadership and volunteers)
Christie Kamiya, DVM
Katy Wilson, DVM
Tere Crocker, DVM
Sonoma Community Animal Response Team
Sonoma Valley Hospital
Sonoma Community Center
Volunteer Victim Role Player “Pet Parents”
HALTER Project Team

Very special thanks to the Sentinel Response Incident Management Team for reaching out and providing tremendous mentoring support for our participation, that was not only highly instructional, but bolstered our confidence.

Last, but definitely not least, great appreciation to CalOES and the CDFA C.A.R.E.S. program for sending staff to join the Animal Branch resources as we navigated this very challenging, exciting, educational and rewarding experience.

The enthusiasm and engagement of the more than 600 resources involved, including the many US&R and CA National Guard Special Resources teams, local Emergency Services, and guest participants from foreign countries, was overwhelming and heartwarming.

Sharing a few snapshots… 
SENTINEL RESPONSE 2022
OUTREACH EVENTS
Sonoma Valley Fire District Open House (left)
NorCal Disaster Expo (right)
UPCOMING TRAINING AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES
Three FREE trainings for agencies, organizations, and individuals with responsibility for planning for Animals in Disasters.

Register for a class by selecting a class date from the Training Schedule, click on the Registration link above the course description to access a registration form for that class. Request a new class to be scheduled in your area by submitting a 
AWR 328 ALL HAZARDS PREPAREDNESS FOR ANIMALS IN DISASTERS
MAY 10, 2022
Orland, CA 8:00am - 5:00pm
This course provides livestock producers, emergency managers, veterinarians, extension agents, veterinary technicians, rural community leaders, public and human health personnel, fire and law enforcement with tools to protect, respond to, and recover from the consequences of disasters (e.g. fire, flood, heat, earthquake, tornadoes, hurricanes, hazardous materials and catastrophic disease exposure) involving animals in rural communities.

Topics introduce participants to the unique issues that must be considered and addressed when animals are involved in an emergency such as safe animal handling, animal evacuation, animal sheltering, humane euthanasia, carcass disposal, inclusion of animal management into existing ICS structures, and federal support available during recovery. 

Register for a class by selecting a class date from the Training Schedule, click on the Registration link above the course description to access a registration form for that class.
MGT 448 ALL HAZARDS PLANNING FOR ANIMAL, AGRICULTURAL, AND FOOD RELATED DISASTERS
MAY 11, 2022
Orland, CA 8:00am - 5:00pm
This course will provide the background information needed to lead a multi-agency team of emergency planners in the development of an ESF annex for food and/or animal related disasters to supplement their community’s existing EOP.

Topics include: agroterrorism; detection and diagnosis; the unique challenges that rural communities face in planning for and responding to food and/or animal related disasters; utilization of Emergency Support Functions (ESF); recovery and the importance of sustainable operations during a disaster event; and mapping a community to identify areas of vulnerability and resources.
Sonoma County Horse Council

TRAILER SAFETY & COMPETENCY COURSE
May 21, 2022 7:30am - 5:00pm
Sonoma County Fairgrounds
Santa Rosa, CA

Click here to REGISTER in advance for this meeting by May 12, 2022!

Excellent for anyone who tows a horse or livestock trailer.

REQUIRED course for every person interested in assisting with Animal Disaster Evacuation as a certified resource in many jurisdictions.

QUESTIONS? Contact Greg Harder
Upcoming Events
If you live near, or are visiting the Bay Area or Redwood Empire this month, here are some fun events where you can brush up and get some new tips on preparedness for your pets, equines, livestock, and neighbors.

Come see us!
May 8 - Glen Ellen Volunteer Firefighters Pancake Breakfast
Treat Mom! 8am-12pm

May 14 - Sonoma Ready at the Coast!
Sonoma Listos en Las Costas
The Grange, 1370 Bodega Avenue Bodega Bay

May 22 - Diamond A Evac Alert Drill & Resource Fair, 8-11AM, Sonoma

May 26 - Animal Readiness in Round Valley
Mendocino County Library, Round Valley Branch
6-8pm

May 28 - EmberStomp!
Marin County Civic Center - on the Island 

Stay tuned for June Preparedness Month News and Events!l