CDC Responds to Hurricane Gustav and Information for Response Workers
We would like to provide you with the following resources for response workers who may be dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav. If you have any questions on these or other clinical issues, please write to us at coca@cdc.gov.
CDC Responds to Hurricane Gustav
CDC Responds to Hurricane Gustav - Sept. 3, 2008
CDC, as part of HHS, has over 100 staff in the affected areas, including 59 staff deployed this week to Arkansas , Florida , Kentucky , Louisiana , Mississippi , and Texas . These experts are monitoring injuries and other health problems related to the hurricane. CDC staff are also providing a range of assistance including identifying public health needs and resources to fill them, ensuring that medical facilities and pharmaceutical are available to meet needs in local areas. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/2008/03sep2008.asp
Worker Safety
Health Recommendations for Relief Workers Responding to Disasters
This notice provides advice specific to the needs of relief workers responding to disasters. Because of their potential exposures, relief workers are at increased risk for illness and injuries. In addition, they should be aware of potential hazards, such as downed power lines and security measures that may be imposed (e.g., curfews to prevent looting). Those who provide assistance should also pay attention to their mental health needs before, during, and after their time in the field. Moreover, because relief workers' services are desperately needed, it is essential that workers remain healthy during their trip. In addition to this notice, relief workers should refer to the general regional travel recommendations for their specific travel destination. http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentReliefWorkers.aspx
Immunization Recommendations for Disaster Responders
Interim Guidance for Pre-exposure Medical Screening of Workers Deployed for Hurricane Disaster Work This document provides interim guidance on medical screening for workers before beginning disaster response activities and is based on information available as of October 27, 2005; it will be updated or revised as appropriate, as additional information becomes available. This guidance is intended for occupational health professionals and other clinicians who are responsible for medical oversight of workers who will be deployed. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood/preexposure.html
NIOSH Interim Guidance on Health and Safety Hazards When Working with Displaced Domestic Animals Only workers who have received proper training in animal restraint, handling, and care should work directly with displaced animals. Employers, response leaders, and volunteer coordinators should ensure that only trained, properly equipped workers are assigned to tasks involving direct animal handling and care. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood/animals.html
NIOSH Hazard Based Interim Guidelines: Protective Equipment for Workers in Hurricane Flood Response The purpose of this interim National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) fact sheet is to provide general guidance for personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers responding in Hurricane Katrina Flood Zones. This guidance is based on best available information as of September 9, 2005 and will be updated as additional information is available. PPE selection and use is site and task specific. General guidelines must be adapted to specific conditions. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood/pe-workers.html
NIOSH Interim Guidance on Personal Protective Equipment and Clothing for Flood Response Workers The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provides the following interim guidelines and warnings to flood cleanup workers. The hazards in flood waters are likely variable and can include sewage, household chemicals and cleaning solutions, petroleum products, hazardous industrial chemicals, pesticides, and flammable liquids. Workers must also be aware of dangers from physical hazards such as obstacles covered by flood waters (storm debris, depressions, drainage openings, ground erosion) and from displaced reptiles or other animals. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flood/ppe-flood.html
Keeping Workers Safe During Clean Up and Recovery Operations Following Hurricanes - OSHA This site includes a hazard exposure and risk matrix and specific information on over 40 potential hazards. http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/hurricaneRecovery.html
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Links to non-Federal organizations are provided solely as a service to our users. Links do not constitute an endorsement of any organization by CDC or the Federal Government, and none should be inferred. The CDC is not responsible for the content of the individual organizations.
Final evacs occurred late August 31st. The Parrish/State assisted evacuations for critical need populations went well. Approximately 12-1500 animals are in the three designated shelters.
Landfall is expected to occur around 1300 so the earliest we will get any assessments in will be Tuesday morning. The impact into the interior part of the state is expected to be greater than anticipated and we are hunkered down at the LDAF EOC for the day.
As soon as we have a better idea of impact and need, we will begin the requests process. I will be out of the EOC once the water rescue begins so I may not get back to you immediately.
DENVER, N.C. -- It's being called one of the largest animal seizures in Lincoln County history. More than 140 pets were found living in unsanitary conditions in and around a family’s home in the town of Denver. As deputies carried the animals to safety in an 80,000 square foot temporary shelter, they told us they’re still trying to determine if this home was a puppy mill, or a rescue shelter gone horribly wrong. The sound from dozens of dogs next door is deafening. "A lot of them are huskies and it’s just howling and barking all the time. Sometimes it would be so loud that it sounds like the inside of the coliseum, just a roar,"said a neighbor who asked not to be identified. But it’s not just dogs; the couple has cats, exotic birds, ducks, chickens, goats, horses, even a llama. Neighbors say the sight of how the animals live is sickening. Some were in outdoor pens with no shelter, standing in their own filth. "And the smell is just so... my wife wouldn’t even come out of the house," said the neighbor. State and county officials have been investigating complaints about this home along Petite Lane in Denver for some time. "Some of the animals look sick, some of them are malnourished, some of them have skin problems," said Lincoln County Animal Services Director Jack Kerley. So Lincoln County sheriff’s deputies moved in to seize more than 140 animals to give them the care they need, and it was a big relief for neighbors. "It’s just a nasty mess and this is a good day as far as I’m concerned, this is a good day," said the neighbor.
DENVER, N.C. -- Vickie Rogers cried tears of joy as she watched an Animal Control team take about 170 animals from her neighbor's home in Denver. "We can't believe this is happening," she said. Rogers and other neighbors said for about 18 years they have lived next door to an out of control collection of animals on Petite Lane. They said the sound was awful and the smell unbearable. "It's like being around a sewer plant," said neighbor Lee Beacham.
Complaints from them and other neighbors drew attention to the former rescue. The Lincoln County Animal Control director said a recent visit by state agriculture officials led them to launch Operation Noah's Ark. It is a name that comes from the fact that owner Vicki Rauch said she had about 150 dogs, cats, goats, birds of all kinds, mice, gerbils, horses and a llama. Director Jack Kerly said the animals were pinned or tied down outside with no cover and their drinking water was green with algae or brown. "It's a sad thing that an animal in this condition has to live in this environment," Kerly said. Dozens of officials and firefighters began taking the animals Tuesday morning. Between 40 and 50 of them lived in the house with Rauch, her husband and children. Rauch said some of the animals were diseased and injured before she took them in. Rauch told Eyewitness News the surprise raid stressed her 19-year-old son so much that he had to be taken to the hospital. "I'm being punished for taking in dogs that need help," she said. Rauch said since 1993, her neighbors and Animal Control have harassed her for helping animals that would otherwise be put to sleep. Animal Control workers set up a mobile animal hospital Tuesday near the home the animals where seized. It's similar to the kind of hospitals that were set up to help stranded and wounded animals on the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina. Animal Control officials said the mobile hospital was needed because there were more animals at the Denver home than they have at the county's shelter, so there simply wasn't enough room to hold the animals. Kerly couldn’t say if the animals may be adopted to new homes. He said there is a chance that some of them may be returned to Rauch if a judge allows it. Rauch has not been charged. She is still under investigation for animal cruelty.
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The rain poured down in Denver on Tuesday as dozens of rescuers worked to move more than 150 animals from dirty, dangerous conditions.
Through the wooden slats of a broken fence, you could see a couple dogs waiting patiently for help. Neighbors, like Vicki Rogers, say they have also been waiting patiently for eight years for someone to do something about the animals.
"These dogs and these animals have gone without food, they bark all the time, and they're skinny, they're tied to trees, chained to trees, and there's just too many of them for anybody to be able to take care of on their own," says Rogers.
Moving the dozens of animals took nearly 12 hours. They all ended up at a church-owned warehouse that's been set up as a temporary shelter.
Jack Kerley is the director of Animal Services for Lincoln County. He tells FOX News the woman who owned the animals, Vicki Raush, has previous charges stemming from noise and odor complaints.
Kerley listed a veritable menagerie of animals taken from the home today, including: 143 dogs, 30 cats, 1 llama, 6 horses, ponies, ducks, pigs, goats, parrots, rats; the list goes on and on.
Kerley says Raush was trying to make money off the animals. "She says she wants be a breeder, and breed and sell animals and she was attempting to do some rescue, rescue and adopt animals," Kerley says.
Meanwhile, Rogers says she is glad the animals are safe and she's got plans to enjoy the peace and quiet. "Just gonna smile for a while and hope we don't listen to dogs bark," says Rogers.
A veterinarian will take a closer look at the animals on Wednesday.
LINCOLN COUNTY -- Hundreds of animals were pulled from an animal rescue after authorities received complaints of mistreatment. The animals included dogs, cats and even livestock in an event authorities are calling Operation Noah’s Ark.
"It's a sad shame that an animal is in this condition and has to live in this kind of environment,” said Jack Kerley, director of animal services in Lincoln County.
Dozens of law enforcement officers and volunteers arrived at Vicki Rauch’s property on Petite Lane in Lincoln County on Tuesday for the rescue after police say neighbors complained.
"Some of the neighbors had been complaining about the smell and the noise factor,” said neighbor Bryan Somers.
“We have had numerous complaints over a period of time,” added Kerley.
After the incident, Rauch spoke by phone with News 14 Carolina to give her side of the story.
Animal Rescue
News 14 Carolina’s Bryn Hough takes a look at what authorities had to take from one Lincoln County woman.
“I do animal rescue, and I've been doing this for over 20 years so I take young dogs -- it don't matter if they are completely hairless, skin and bones, stuff that people can't afford to take to vets -- and I treat them and then I find homes for them,” she explained.
While Rauch says she tried to help the animals, law enforcement describes a different scene.
“Some animals look malnourished, some of them look sick, some of them have skin problems,” said Kerley.
Police believe Rauch had started a dog breeding facility, then began rescuing animals. Officials found animals living outside in pens – and more than 50 living inside the house.
The animals are now living in a 80,000 square foot facility where they will be looked at by a veterinarian who will determine what’s next for the animals.
Police say Rauch was previously convicted for not having up-to-date rabies shots for her animals. They add there is not enough room in the Lincoln County animal shelter to house all of the animals.
A veterinarian will take a closer look at them on Wednesday.
More than 100 cats and dogs and other animals, many described as in unhealthy condition and malnourished, were being removed from a residence in the Denver area during “Operation Noah's Ark,” Lincoln County authorities said today.
In a Sheriff's Office news release, Animal Services director Jack Kerley said a search warrant to remove the animals was served on Vicki Rauch at 3454 Petite Lane. The animals, which included horses, a llama, birds and guinea pigs, will be moved to a central location where they will be examined and placed in proper care. A veterinarian will check them later this week, authorities said.
Animal Services officers and Lincoln County Sheriff's deputies were helped by Lincoln County Emergency Management, the Fire Marshal's Office, East Lincoln and Denver Fire Departments, the American Humane Society, N.C. Department of Agriculture, Lincoln County EMS, East Lincoln and Lincoln Rescue and volunteers from animal rights organizations.
Nearly 400 animals seized in ‘Operation Noah’s Ark’
Our Red Star Animal Emergency Services deployed to Denver, N.C., on Aug. 26 to work alongside other organizations in caring for and sheltering approximately 390 animals seized from a private residence. We are part of a team composed of local law enforcement, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency, the North Carolina State Animal Response Team (SART) and others.
The seizure has been dubbed “Operation Noah’s Ark” by local media due to the number and variety of animals involved. The animals include dogs, cats, horses, a llama, birds and guinea pigs.
Many of the animals appeared malnourished and in need of medical care when our rescue team arrived. After being examined and safely sheltered, they will receive any necessary medical attention.
UPDATED 8/29/08: American Humane continues to provide care for the animals, which have now all been identified and counted. The diverse assortment of animals includes 156 dogs, 53 cats, 5 horses, 37 parakeets, 6 goats, 3 sugar gliders, dozens of small mammals and a llama.
As this operation is a legal case, additional details are pending. Check back soon for updates!
This article ran in the Spokane County Employee Newsletter called "County Connections"
Spokane Valley Fire Brings out the HEART of our Community
Contributed by Nancy Hill,Director-Spokane County
Regional Animal Protection Service (SCRAPS)
The air was thick with smoke and the flames could be seen from the highway when I received a call asking for an emergency animal shelter to be set up to handle the pets of the residents who had to evacuate during the fire. I immediately activated the HEART team (Humane Evacuation Animal Response Team) to assist SCRAPS with setting up and running the shelter. The scene at the fairgrounds was one of frenzied but organized activity. Volunteers were putting together animal crates, setting up space for livestock, checking for supplies of food and pet care items and getting prepared to take care of Spokane’s pets.Many community members stopped by to see if they could help. Some brought food for the animals (thanks Albertsons of Millwood) and others brought food and drinks for the volunteers. “After the fire was over, I began to look at the list of people who called to offer their homes and pastures for the animals, and those who called to offer their time or their trailers for transport and was amazed that there was easily over 50 offers of help, what a great statement about the community in which we live,” said Jackie Bell, Development
Coordinator for SCRAPS. HEART volunteers were at the shelter all night caring for the animals and watching the hillside as the flames began to diminish. The next day SCRAPS was able to see all the animals off safely and close the temporary shelter
Community News 8/01/08 Local group has H.E.A.R.T. for animals when emergencies hit By Craig Howard News Editor
While most of the news surrounding the Valley View last month fire dealt with the evacuation of residents and the impact on surrounding homes, one local group made sure that the animals affected by the blaze weren’t forgotten.
The concept behind Spokane’s Humane Evacuation Animal Rescue Team actually got its start after the firestorm of 1991 when many of the horse owners in the Ponderosa area expressed concern that evacuation plans for animals had fallen short. As with many of the organizational efforts put into place after the fire, a collaborative system was put into place, drawing on local and statewide resources.
The only problem was that the program lacked volunteers, recalls Nancy Hill, executive director of Spokane County Regional Animal Protection Services.
“We were missing the workforce,” Hill said.
After Hurricane Katrina devastated the New Orleans area in 2005, driving residents and animals from their homes, the idea for a Spokane-based animal rescue group was revived. Hill remembers around 100 people showing up for the first meeting.
“We knew we needed a vehicle for us to communicate how to handle a disaster,” Hill said.
The organization’s first year was spent training with groups like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the American Humane Society while receiving support from the SpokAnimal, the Spokane Humane Society, SCRAPS and local veterinarians. By the time H.E.A.R.T. had established a board of directors, the volunteer corps was down to 40, which is approximately where it stands today. The agency will celebrate its official two-year anniversary this December.
“They are a fantastic group of dedicated people,” Hill said. “They truly are a credit to this community.”
Janis Christensen, director of H.E.A.R.T., was among a handful of Spokane area volunteers who flew back to Louisiana to help in the aftermath of the hurricane as part of a nationwide relief effort. She said the experience reinforced the necessity of establishing a local program to support animals in times of crisis.
“It really brought the issue to the forefront,” said Christensen. “It was clear that something needed to be in place for animals.”
Christensen arrived in New Orleans two weeks after the hurricane and spent 10 days rescuing dogs and cats stranded by the flood. “The efforts by people down there were just heroic,” she said.
When news of the Valley View fire began to circulate in the early evening hours of July 10, Hill received a call from the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office that help would be needed in securing a shelter for animals evacuated from the Dishman-Mica area.
“My very first call after that was to H.E.A.R.T.,” Hill said.
By 8:30 p.m., Christensen and a group of volunteers had organized a makeshift shelter at the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center. Dogs, cats, goats and horses were soon filtering into the site.
“It helped out a ton because we didn’t have to send resources over there,” said Bill Clifford, a spokesman with the Spokane Valley Fire Department. “They really made a major difference.”
Microchips and tags helped owners find animals in the aftermath of the fire. By Friday afternoon, the shelter had been dismantled.
Janet Schaeffer, a H.E.A.R.T. volunteer who serves on the board of directors, said the response during the emergency was an indication of how training and preparedness pay dividends.
“We were ready,” Schaeffer said. “I think everyone was really proud of how it went.”
Last July, Schaeffer journeyed down to Oklahoma to help with the rescue mission during a series of series floods. As with the efforts following Hurricane Katrina, Schaeffer said volunteers pulled together to provide hope during a perilous time.
“The best thing is knowing that when there are animals in crisis there are people around who care about their life and safety,” she said. “It’s like the Red Cross of the animal world.”
Want to find out more?
To find out more about H.E.A.R.T. or to volunteer, call 251-1251 or visit www.pnw-heart.org.
Meeting November 19th at the Valley Fire Station
This months educational lecture is on zoonotics, diseases and parasites that are transmissible between species and humans.
By Craig Howard
