Public Health Emergency Preparedness Discussion Board|Social Science
Original Contribution:
choose one of the assigned readings (attached) which describes policies and specific needs of a select population in emergency planning. Identify one media resource or communication relating to an actual emergency where these needs were not appropriately addressed. Then in your post,
· Briefly summarize the reading you selected, outlining the emergency preparedness policies and special needs it addresses.
· Describe the content of the communication you identified where these needs were not met and provide a link to the communication in your post.
· Make concrete suggestions for how this emergency could have been handled differently to consider this select population’s needs and to adhere to PHEP policies.
· 1 page AMA format cite all sources
Part B Response Post:
Review your classmates’ post below and provide any additional suggestions for improving the response to this population during the emergency discussed.
½ -1 page AMA format cite all sources
Classmate Abdelslame
Saving Pets Saves Lives:
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I chose a reading that interests me and effects me personally. This reading is Saving Pets Saves Lives. It is a brochure that explains the importance of including pets in an emergency. The brochure emphasizes The Pet Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006 that was established that mandates and incorporate plans that account for the needs of people with pets and service animals.1 This mandatory act is considered a lifesaver for both pets and people.1 They claim that protecting the safety and welfare of pets in disasters plays an important role in overall response efforts.1
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) outlines the roles for federal, state, local, and non-governmental facilities to manage these pets during common disasters. These mandatory regulations are a result of the catastrophic effect Hurricane Katrina created on many pet owners. These regulations prevent the issues many people had during Hurricane Katrina.1 This brochure outlines the emergency preparedness by providing tips such as shelter and transportation, planning facilitation and training opportunities. It also provides information on what to do during a disaster and evacuation. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service also offer assistance and guidance to all pet owners during a disaster.1
I choose an article from The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/09/hurricanes-pets/541092/
This article talks about the rescue networks that saves cats and dogs from hurricanes.2 A mass cat and dog migration started in the state of Texas before Hurricane Harvey hit. The Humane Society of the United States anticipated a big number of lost and abandoned pets after a recent natural disaster. They began sending out pets on flights to other parts of the country.2 However for Hurricane Maria that swept the country of Puerto Rico, concern for animals and pet owners were not met. The response for pets and their families has been significantly terrible and slow. The Humane Society was unable to evacuate the shelter animals from the island before the hurricane because they did not have the necessary paperwork.2 The animal shelters were also flooded, and running low on food. People did not want to evacuate their homes without leaving their animals behind– and the people who did, left their animals abandoned or tied to poles.2
A suggestion on how this emergency could have been handled differently would be that there should be emergency plans for animals and pet owners. In order to adhere to PHEP policies, pet evacuation laws must be enforced and made important to the public. There should also be information that educates the public regarding a pet owner and their pet in a disaster or an emergency in general.
References
1. United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Care. Saving pets save lives. https://elearn.une.edu/bbcswebdav/courses/90618-201901-GPH-709-B1/709%20All%20Old%20Files%20-%20SOME%20IN%20USE/Layout%201%20-%20SavingPetsSavesLives-PA2033-FINAL.pdf Web site. Accessed August 3, 2018.
2. Zhang, S. The Rescue Networks That Save Cats and Dogs From Hurricanes. The Atlantic. 2017. https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/09/hurricanes-pets/541092/. Accessed August 3, 2018
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