MSU Extension Offers Training for First Responders and Others on How to Effectively Respond to Accidents Involving Livestock

By Thomas Guthrie and Michael Metzger

Each week, millions of livestock animals are transported on roads and highways across the U.S. Numerous risks come with transporting animals, including accidents that can become chaotic and dangerous when large numbers of animals are injured or spill out of the trailers and onto the highway. These situations pose great risk not only to the animals involved, but also to the traveling public and first responders charged with restoring order. When transportation accidents involving livestock occur, the best outcome is typically achieved when first responders on the scene are trained in proper animal handling methods and have access to the proper equipment (portable gating, ropes/halters, sorting boards, metal saws, ramps, etc.) needed to move and contain the animals at a safe location.

To prepare Michigan first responders, law enforcement officers and the animal agriculture industry for these situations, Michigan State University Extension, with support from Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has developed programming focused on Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL). The ERAIL Program focuses on three essential components to mounting an effective response including:

• Training first responders and animal transport professionals on how to respond effectively to transportation accidents when animals are involved.
• Providing access to essential equipment required to mount an effective response and training in its proper use.
• Creating local teams and an organized network of trained and equipped responders throughout Michigan.

On October 24, 2023, the MSU Extension ERAIL Team will host a full day, in-person/hands-on training focused on increasing the awareness and skill set of first responders, law enforcement officials and others that may respond to accidents involving animals. This training will develop or refine critical skills. Participants will receive animal handling and behavior instruction and gain a better understanding of how to handle compromised animals. They will also be provided opportunities to utilize handing equipment to move cattle, pigs, horses and turkeys, under the instruction of species experts. In addition, new to this training, participants will also get the opportunity to learn about handling hives of honeybees and the equipment used by beekeepers. An ERAIL Response Trailer stocked with equipment, horse trailers and a large livestock transport trailer will be available for participants to view and tour during the training.

This one-day ERAIL Training will be held at the MSU Livestock Pavilion located at 4301 Farm Lane, Lansing, MI and will start at 9 a.m. The cost of this training is $75 per person or $60 per person for groups of 2 or more, please note that no refunds will be given after Oct. 10, however substitutions may be made after that date. Registration is limited. Completing the course will qualify attendees for 6 CE credits from PAACO.

The training will provide attendees with an excellent opportunity to network with local law enforcement groups and help them formulate key questions for the continuous improvement of the emergency response systems they are each involved with. By taking advantage of the ERAIL training opportunity and working to build a network of trained personnel, Michigan first responders and their partner stakeholders will be prepared to better respond to accidents involving livestock, thereby reducing risks to public safety, animal welfare and the negative economic impacts that these events can have on food production.