The US Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY), along with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Milk Producers Federation, National Pork Producers Council, United Egg Producers and the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASSTPO), released the first in a series of videos that assists farmers and ranchers with preparing an emergency action plan for their operation. In addition to identifying essential aspects of an emergency action plan, the video emphasizes the advantages of engaging with local emergency planning and response professionals.

By coordinating and cooperating, emergency responders and farmers and ranchers reap mutual benefits. Emergency response personnel can get a better understanding of the potential hazards they may face when responding to an on-farm emergency, while farmers and ranchers can gain insight into the accident response capabilities available within their community.

Tim Gablehouse, president of NASTTPO, remarked, “This video is a good start into enhancing the safety of those emergency response personnel unfamiliar with farming and ranching operations. Likewise, it can help to close a gap between emergency planning and response professionals and the public. We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues in agriculture to further broaden this educational tool and improve safety for responders, farmers and the public.”

“Safety on the farm is always a priority. The partnership between first responders and local farmers and ranchers is critically important, as is assuring effective coordination during an on-farm emergency,” said John Starkey, president of USPOULTRY, speaking on behalf of all the national agriculture organizations involved in the video’s development. “The public can rest easy knowing that farmers and ranchers take seriously their responsibility to keep their operations safe for themselves and their neighbors. Helping public safety personnel understand farm operations and providing information to help them respond swiftly and effectively is essential in a time of crisis. Emergency planning protects the community, farmworkers, animals and the livelihoods of US farmers and ranchers.”

The video can be viewed here or on the USPOULTRY YouTube channel.