Class Description
The Disaster Services Program of The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) provides a comprehensive approach to disaster education and training, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
The HSUS Disaster Services Department has memorandums of understanding (MOU) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the United States Department of Agriculture; Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the American Red Cross. The HSUS works side by side with these and other groups to make sure that national, state, and local organizations and governments are prepared to care for animals, their families, and their communities.
The HSUS is pleased to offer the following courses at the Washington State Search and Rescue conference:
Introduction to Emergency Animal Sheltering (1 class, 2-3 hours):
Learn the basics to setting up an emergency animal shelter; selecting a location; implementation of ICS; basic setup of shelter areas; needs of various animals; logistics; health and safety and stress management; and teamwork
Animals in Disasters and Post-Katrina Discussion (2 classes, 1 hour):
Hurricane Katrina left hundreds of people dead, hundreds of thousands of people homeless, and forced tens of thousands to leave their animals behind as they fled the rapidly rising floodwaters. The response quickly became the largest animal rescue and sheltering operation in U.S. history. This class will discuss the importance of including animals in disaster response and preparedness planning and how to develop an animal response plan.
Disaster Preparedness for Horses (1 class, 2-3 hour):
Disaster preparedness is important for all animals, but it takes extra consideration for horses because of their size and transportation needs. This class will discuss the special considerations horse owners and rescue/responders must consider when dealing with horses in a disaster.
Community Preparedness for Pets (optional 2-1 hour):
Want to know the best way to help people and animals in a disaster? Teach people how to plan in advance to protect their pets! This class will discuss the basics of disaster preparedness for pets, livestock and horses and includes tips on evacuating, checklists of supplies and preparedness questionnaires. This class is ideal for community educators, public information officers and anyone working with the public.
Speaker Information:
Curt Ransom
Regional Program Manager, West Coast Regional Office
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
Before joining The HSUS West Coast Regional Office as regional coordinator in 2004, Ransom was Director of the Rescues and Investigations Department for the Humane Society of Missouri in St. Louis. He has worked for 32 years in the animal welfare field as an animal care and control officer and supervisor, commissioned humane investigator, media spokesperson, disaster relief responder, and legislative lobbyist. Ransom's disaster relief experience includes the Los Angeles earthquake, Oklahoma City tornado, the Mississippi floods of '93 and Hurricanes Hugo, Andrew, Charley, Katrina and Rita.
Inga Gibson
State Program Coordinator, Pacific Northwest Field Office
The Humane Society of the United States(HSUS)
Ms. Gibson joined the HSUS Pacific Northwest Regional Office with 10 years experience in the animal care and protection field. Her experience ranges from humane investigations and animal sheltering to developing humane education programs for private and government agencies, and coordinating legislative activities.
Ms Gibson assisted with numerous disaster relief efforts in Florida and most recently, in Louisiana and Mississippi, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Ms. Gibson received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Zoology from the University of Hawaii, and her Master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from California State University Long Beach.