The Petaluma Community Guild HOSTED A FREE FARM EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FORUM FOR LARGE ANIMAL OWNERS — NOVEMBER 11/ 4 AT PETALUMA LIBRARY; FEATURED SPEAKERS FROM SONOMA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES, AG COMMISSION, AND SONOMA COUNTY HORSE COUNCIL
PETALUMA—Petaluma Community Guild President Tiffany Renée and the Petaluma Community Guild hosted a free public forum and workshop designed to teach farmers, ranchers, and other rural neighbors with cows, horses, sheep, etc. how to create a disaster preparedness plan for their large animals.
The forum took place from 6-8pm on on Wednesday, November 4 at the Petaluma Library’s Community Forum room in Petaluma. It was made possible through the support a Noah’s Wish grant through the CG.
“The recent Valley Fire has shown us that large animals create added logistical challenges in the face of disaster.” said Renée, former Petaluma Vice Mayor and a community emergency response trained HAM operator. “Now is the time for farmers and ranchers to be planning for potential disasters on the horizon.”
The forum will include a roundtable discussion and Q&A — moderated by Ms. Renée and featuring Brian Whipple (Sonoma County Animal Services), Pete Albers (Sonoma County Ag Commission), and Ted Stashak, DVM (Sonoma County Horse Council).
“We’re honored to have the participation of these experts, each of whom is at the forefront of helping our rural neighbors prepare for future fire, flood, earthquake, biodisaster events, and more. The practical knowledge and handson planning we’ll be covering at our forum will be a great resource for our rural neighbors in Sonoma County and beyond” said Renée
Following the discussion, forum organizers will facilitate a hands-on workshop to help attendees build their personal disaster preparedness plans.
The forum was filmed and will eventually aired on Petaluma Community Access. Below are the handouts for building a kit and making a plan as well as resource links.
Farm Emergency Response Forum – Slide Deck
Farm Emergency Response Forum-Kit Worksheet
Farm Emergency Response Forum-Large Animal Plan Worksheet
Earthquake Supply Center (for pre-made kits)
Emergency Planning Resources
American Veterinary Medical Association
California Animal Response Emergency System (CARES)
California Emergency Management Agency (CalEMA)
California Veterinary Medical Association (look under ‘Resources’ for Disaster Response info)
County of Sonoma Ag Commission
County of Sonoma Animal Services
County of Sonoma Disaster Preparedness
Rural Domestic Preparedness Consortium (RDPC)
UC Davis Veterinary Medicine | International Animal Welfare Training Institute
Western Institute for Food Safety and Security
