Greetings! January is usually the launch of the training season. Many of you have requested information about education and training opportunities. COVID concerns and restrictions have delayed a lot of scheduling, but opportunities abound and several are coming up FAST-this month!
This mini-update includes info about a few Northern California Community Animal Response Team (CART) classes for volunteers, along with links to CART websites in the region.
To find out how to become an Animal Disaster Volunteer (formally referred to as “Animal Disaster Service Workers”), or DSWs (the disaster response world is acronym-rich), get in touch with your local CART, County Sheriff, or Animal Care & Control agency.
We’ve also included links to training resources providing education nationwide and on hybrid and/or virtual platforms for disaster response, Animal Decontamination, California State Fire Animal l Technical Rescue and Hired Vendor certification, and All Hazards and Fireline Safety courses.
In February, we’ll be attending the statewide meeting of Animal Disaster Response Resources and policy developers, including a presentation on the rollout of the eagerly anticipated CVET program of UC Davis. We will have lots to report back on!
Meanwhile, find your niche. There’s a role for every level of expertise and training, and a need for a vast array of skills. Remember: for every 3-5 person Animal Search & Rescue (ASAR) team in the field, 30-50 volunteers can be needed at any one time to staff shelters, hotlines, data entry, communications, supply & resource depots, and more. There’s a place for you, if you want it!!
And, always, preparedness starts with us. And HALTER Project strives to provide easy resources for everyone and every community.
Happy New Year, and here’s to learning new skills to make 2023 your safest year yet.
