PeninsulaNorthwest
PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2013
A5
Clallam planning a response for animals in emergencies BY ROB OLLIKAINEN PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
PORT ANGELES — Clallam County emergency managers and volunteers are hashing out an animal disaster plan to ensure that pets and livestock don’t get overlooked in the event of an emergency. The three commissioners discussed a draft version of the “Animals in Disaster Response and Recovery Plan” at their work session Tuesday. “It’s been a big project,” said Priscilla Stockner, volunteer animals-in-disasters coordinator. “We’re three or four volunteers who have spent the good part of a year and a half developing what you see here.”
46-page draft The 46-page draft calls for a coordinated response for the evacuation, care and sheltering of animals in emergencies such as earthquakes, floods, winter storms and wildfires. Central to the effort will be the assembly of a “local animal response group” that consists of Clallam County emergency management, health and human services, animal control, Washington State University Extension, state Department of Agri-
culture, private veterinarians, the Clallam County Humane Society and others. The idea is to set up decentralized locations around the county — churches, fields or berms on farmlands — where pets and livestock could be taken and cared for in the wake of a disaster. “The cool thing about animal sheltering is that it’s a little different than people: You don’t need have to have a kitchen and a shower,” Clallam County Emergency Management Program Coordinator Jamye Wisecup told commissioners. “You can have a field.” Commissioners reviewed the draft along with a laminated map depicting vulnerable bridges in the county. “We should not be just courthouse-centric on the animal shelter and rescue,” Wisecup said after the briefing. “Our next step is to get the local animal-response group put together. These are sort of the captains of the ship.” After the group is assembled and trained, officials will identify supply-drop areas and temporary shelter sites. The final plan will be submitted for state approval
in January. It will become an appendix to the Clallam County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan and used in a fullscale disaster exercise planned for March 2016, Wisecup said. Animal disaster preparedness is needed because human shelters don’t allow pets or livestock, and many people refuse to leave their animals unsupervised, according to the draft. Commissioner Jim McEntire recalled seeing images of animals being loaded onto helicopters during the recent floods in Colorado. “People don’t want to leave their animals,” McEntire said, adding that the draft is a “great start of a comprehensive thing.”
Public health
plan, Doherty suggested involving tribal biologists who track eagles and other wildlife and county residents who are trained to help seabirds during oil spills. “We certainly would want their input,” Stockner said. Stockner said she developed a similar animal disaster plan as director of animal control in Palm Beach County, Fla. A part-time veterinarian, Stockner returned to Snohomish County and worked on another animal disaster plan there. “If you recall in Katrina, not only did we not have supplies, we had no places [for animals],” Stockner said, referring to the 2005 hurricane that decimated New Orleans and other communities on the Gulf coast. “And we had chaos,” Stockner said. “And people with warm hearts and many with deep pockets wanted to come and help. “It was literally a disaster, as you’re well aware, up until probably through the first eight months after the hurricane.”
Animal disaster preparedness also can alleviate public health and safety risks caused by animals running loose and animal carcasses, according to the draft. Commissioner Mike Doherty suggested bringing the Clallam County public health officer and prosecut________ ing attorney on board to “chime in” about carcass Reporter Rob Ollikainen can disposal and liability. be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. Although wildlife is not 5072, or at rollikainen@peninsula included in the disaster dailynews.com.
On behalf of the owners Dan & Kelie Morrison and Jerry & Kim Payne
The countless hours that have been given by these wonderful people is the reason ESP puts on world class events.
WIPE
WOES
Industrial pretreatment coordinator Frank Dick displays flushable wipes that made it through a test to see whether they would break down at the Westside Wasterwater Treatment Plant in Vancouver, Wash. Various bathroom wipes were specially dyed and then sent through the sewer system, but instead of dissolving, most wound up intact.
GRAND OLYMPICS CHORUS PRESENTS
Weather Girl Saturday, September 28 2 & 7 pm Sequim High School Aspire! TH(2013 4th place Region 13
WI
Women’s Quartet)
Sweet Adelines International Region 13, Sequim WA www.grandolympicschorus.org
The Jaybirds No Batteries Required Olympic Peninsula Men’s Chorus
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Would like to thank all of the amazing Volunteers that helped us make the Sprint Boat Races & the Run-a-Muck Mud Challenge course a huge success!
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tickets: Pacific Mist Books, 121 W. Washington Ave., Sequim
In honor of our volunteers we will be hosting a volunteer appreciation BBQ
We could not have done this without the support of our amazing community and the hard work and dedication of our volunteers.
LEARN TO PAINT! 39879486
Please bring your favorite side dish or dessert & ESP will provide the meat and refreshments. We hope to see you there! www.extremesportspark.net | 2917 W. Edgewood Dr., Port Angeles, WA 98363
Saturday, September 28th 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Adult art classes now forming. Catherine Mix, Pat Starr, Irene Loghry, Martha Rudersdorf
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Tickets At Odyssee Bookshop 114 W. Front Port Angeles or online at pacommunityplayers.com
With Uli Legenberg
$12 Adults $6 Children & Students Tuesday Reserved $12 or $6 Festival at the Door.
Uli’s Famous Sausage Inc. - Pike Place Market
Paulaner Oktoberfest Marzen Beer on Draught! Featuring an assortment of Uli’s German Brats, Sauerkraut, Potato Salad, Toga’s Soups and Pane d’Amore Rolls Uli’s sausages also available for take home! Sponsored by Air Flo Buy a brat and get entered in our Traeger Grill Giveaway!
Toga’s Soup House Deli & Gourmet 122 W. Lauridsen Blvd., Port Angeles, WA 98362 • 360-452-1952
Featuring: Sean Burton, Brenda Dunlap, Barbara Frederick, Stephanie Gooch, Jim Guthrie, Lola Hassan-Adams, Corie LaBrie, Jayna Orchard, Pat Owens, Lily Paulsen, Cheri Trebon, Daylin Scott, and Dalton Williamson.
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Hourly Prize Drawings!
Headsets available for hearing impaired.