California Animal Response Emergency Support

According to the California State Emergency Plan, it is the policy of the State that contracts and agreements for emergency response and disaster repair and restoration should be entered into by the lowest level of government possible. Resources are requested and allocated in each organizational level in accordance with the Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS). Mutual Aid Resource Requests start at the lowest level of government. Resource requests should be coordinated internally at each level of government to ensure all available resources are considered before placing to the next SEMS organizational level of government. Resources include:

• Internal to the county and city including government workers who are Disaster Service Workers
• Mutual Aid (an extension of the concept of "neighbor helping neighbor")
• Purchase and Contracts
• NGOs through encouraged pre and post event agreements

*OES Region: Regional staff will deploy to an OA's (or other) EOC or ICP to provide any necessary technical advice, support, or on-scene assistance.

There is no separate system for requesting animal-related resources. When local resources are reasonably exhausted, or fully committed and additional resources are required, resource requests will follow the SEMS through a central coordination point/central point of ordering, which is the Operational Area (OA) Emergency Operations Center (EOC). SEMS Regulations specify that all local governments within a county geographic area be organized into a single operational area. To assist the OA in allocating resources, CARES has developed a Directory of non-governmental organizations and other essential resources that can be used to support a local incident involving animals in disasters. The directory is updated biannually and distributed to state and local emergency management and other county partners that coordinate with the OA to request resources. It is incumbent on county emergency management to enter into memorandum of agreements with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in their jurisdiction and in neighboring counties. This will serve to plan, train, exercise and task NGOs to support an incident in their jurisdiction.

If you are a local government emergency management agency, you may request the Directory by emailing CARES at: CDFA.AHB_Cares_Program@cdfa.ca.gov

California does not have an official credentialing, resource typing or mutual aid "system" for animal-related positions. There are numerous animal resource positions that local government emergency management and animal services may request. These resources include non-governmental organizations, animal response teams, volunteer organizations, and animal controls officers. It is important to have the requests done quickly to save lives and property, including animals (pets, livestock and horses). Understanding the process and when and how to complete a resource request is important during an emergency or disaster. A detailed description of the request is needed to make sure competent personnel are found to support the incident. The Animal Emergency Response Resources Titles, Animal Control Officer Resources Request Guidance and Veterinary Resources Request Guidance fact sheet will assist you with making a request for the resource you need.

• ACO Resource Request Guidance
• Animal Emergency Response Resource Titles
• Veterinary Resources Request Guidance