Extension in Disaster Response and Agro-Disaster Planning

1. Summary: The High Lights Steve Van Wie, DVM St. Louis - October 8, 2008

2. First, a Thank you… • Steve Cain and Abigail Boron, Purdue EDEN HQ • Billy Dictson, New Mexico, 2007 • Dave Filson, Pennsylvania, 2007 • Tom McBride, Colorado, 2008 • Charlie Stoltenow, N. Dakota, 2008 • Conne Burnham, Missouri, 2008

3. Where we started… • “Hank Kimball” goes to Washington • We realized – boy did we realize – that Extension has a role in disasters. • EDEN meetings created a thousand-strong network of industry, government and Extension folks we’d never met. • Those contacts cross international borders. • Extension has become a key and respected stakeholder in every phase of any disaster.

4. Where we started… • FMD drove the thinking. We’ve gone beyond…. • Avian Influenza • Lessons from END • Rift Valley Fever • We talked about “Who, How and Why” an FAD could arrive. And the necessary response. • We’ve heard how close we’ve come. • Dispelled the idea that a good “terrorist” may not have a beard, robes and a turban on his head.

5. Along the way… • Dr. Tickle quantified the loss due to FMD • We learned of the expansive National Animal Health Lab Network • And, the as yet unfilled need for rapid cow-side diagnostic tests

6. Along the way… • We heard from top researchers at Plum Island about the work done so far to perfect FMD and other vaccines that would not cost animal lives or export markets. • We’re not quite there.

7. Along the way… • Law enforcement joined with Extension from the start in Las Cruces. • From quarantine management to evidence collection, any response will be a joint effort. • And that effort includes the skills and community credibility inherent in the Extension mission. • Among those skills? • Negotiation with affected producers in words they will understand

8. Along the way… • The complexities and inter-agency relationships that form “response” were outlined time and again. • Non-traditional responders have not been invited to training as a “matter of course”. • Today the information is all in one place! • “An Extension Job requirement” EXTENSION

9. How far we’ve come… • Today we can say Extension is truly an “All Hazards Agency” • The Mission expanded beyond “biosecurity”. But,we sure can teach it! • More than doomsayers predicting disasters and diseases. • Extension is available to assist in all manner of Natural Disasters Colorado Blizzards Lessons Learned “ Community response to Funding Issues during response and recovery”

10. We tackled the thorny issues… • Indemnity for producers who loose animals. • At Fargo Dr. Clifford explained why indemnity payments need to be flexible and float with market conditions. And, regarding FMD, he said “We may just have to live with it”.

11. We exercised… • Harrisburg – A “walk through” exercise detailed the sequence of events that would happen during an Animal Agrosecurity Incident. • Denver – wrestled with a sudden need to provide care to animals in transit caught up in a Stop Movement Order. • Unanimous Conclusion? “Darn glad we didn’t have to do this ‘for real’.”

12. Outstanding Presentation Awards

13. Compassion Award: “Producers are People, too” • At Denver, Dr. Kathy Connel described one of the first orders she gave the evening of the Washington State BSE diagnosis: • “Every affected farmer will have one point of contact with this Department.” • The first “Case Manager” approach to an agricultural crisis.

14. Critic’s Choice Award to… • Charlie Powell from Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine speaking at Fargo: • Traditional after-the-fact Risk Communications say “Trust us, your food is safe to eat even though there is a bio-disaster affecting our industry.” • Powell’s Perpetual Paradigm: “Your food is safe to eat today. It will be safe to eat tomorrow no matter what may affect a portion of our industry.”

15. Outstanding Presentation Awards

16. Pick of the Litter Award… • To John Adams from the US Animal Health Association at Harrisburg • Dr.Teena Middleton from AgProvisions speaking at Clemson • Introduced the term “Stop Movement Order” • Graphically spelled out the effect on industry.

17. Industry take…… • Contributed by Dr. Teena Middleton:

18. Lead to an “inescapable conclusion”

19. Like it or not, it will be in YOUR lap!

20. Extension heard the call… Agribusiness SURVIVAL OUTSIDE A DISEASE CONTROL ZONE -or- During any NATURAL DISASTER • Led by Billy Dictson, Chairman of the EDEN Agrosecurity Committee • “SCAP” will provide a tool for Extension to lead community level Agro-Disaster prevention, mitigation and survival planning • 9 Regional Pilots next spring • Tool Kit for distribution mid to late 2009

21. Extension heard the call… • Julie Smith of University of Vermont Extension • 3-Workshop Series this fall compliments SCAP • Emergency Biosecurity • Assessing Farm Risk • Community Based Emergency Management

22. Both SCAP and “Plan to Survive • Address the 3 crucial producer complaints and reasons for despondency and suicide during FMD in the UK, 2001 • “I was not consulted in decision making” • “I failed to protect my livestock” • “I do not know how to pay my bills and feed my family”

23. UNIFIED COMMAND LIASION RETIRED EXTENSION SCHOOL PRINCPIAL All Hazards LOCAL RADIO/TV FIRE CHIEF PHONE CO PRES ZONING OFFICER RET. ARMY BANK PRES. PHONE BANK CALL CENTER PHONE BANK CALL CENTER INPUT UNIT VENDOR A/R MAPPING GIS Ag Crisis Center OUTPUT UNIT TRADES UNIT TRAN STATIONS VENDOR A/P SUPPLY PLANS C&D UNIT COOP FINAN. FACILTIES STAFF SUPPORT CRITICAL NEEDS

24. An Ag-EOC will • Source and deliver critical inputs like feed • Coordinate BIOSECURE delivery of critical service inputs such as repairmen, breeders and veterinarians • Coordinate BIOSECURE collection and transport of saleable FARM PRODUCTS to market. • By its “very existence”, it will provide community based support.

25. As a “Non Governmental Organization” an AgEOC is “By farmers, for farmers…” • They Plan it. • They Equip it. • They Activate it. • They Staff it. • They Finance it. • The local farming community survives – or perishes – together. • “Regulatory” is relieved of half the burden.

26. Steve Van Wie, DVM newfvt@sover.net 920/ 757-9709