University of California, Davis - School of Veterinary Medicine
DISASTER MANAGEMENT: ONE HEALTH TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITIES Lais Costa, DrMedVet, MS, PhD, DACVIM (Large Animal), DABVP (Equine) One Health Institute, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
This presentation will take the attendees through a journey on disaster management through the lens of a veterinary responder and coordinator. We will highlight how veterinary disaster preparedness and response encompass the concept of One Health and the complex interactions between humans, animals and the environment. Although, veterinary professionals have not been considered traditional first responders, like fire fighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics and law enforcement, it is now recognized that veterinary professionals are equipped to serve the crucial role of first responders and advocates for animals in disasters. We will discuss how of veterinary professionals can serve a central role in disasters and emergency preparedness and response because their trainings and skills in animal health and welfare, biosecurity, preventive care, record keeping, animal medical care to list a few. We will explore how veterinary professionals can acquire additional trainings necessary for integration with groups and agencies active in disasters and emergency response. Because of the resourcefulness of veterinary professionals, they can serve numerous roles during emergency response and preparedness, and we illustrate them with real stories. We hope to ignite the interest of veterinary professionals to join disaster preparedness and response efforts.
