AL Emergency Operations Plan 2023.pdf (8.52 MB)
Alabama's Emergency Management Agency (http://www.ema.alabama.gov/) is the coordinating agency for disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. In the state's Emergency Operations Plan, there are several references to animasls. Per the plan, evacuation and animal care are included in ESF #11. Here are some excerpts from the 467 page plan:
Page 108:
Household Pets and Service Animals: When requested, ESF #6 will collaborate with ESF #11 for support to household pets and service animals. The American Red Cross supports the delivery of services for household pets of shelter residents by co-locating household pets at its shelters whenever feasible. In American Red Cross-managed shelters, household pets will not be allowed in the shelter dormitory, food preparation/serving/eating areas, Disaster Health Service areas, designated child recreation areas, or other areas of the shelter where their presence would present health hazards or disrupt service delivery. The emergency response community recognizes the varying and special requirements of individuals that require and utilize service animals and is committed to ensuring that the physical and mental health needs of these individuals are appropriately addressed and that the individuals and service animals remain together to the maximum extent possible during the evacuation, transport, sheltering, or the delivery of other services and by the requirements of the Americans
with Disabilities Act.
Page 146:
Purpose
The primary purpose of this ESF is to identify animal and agriculture needs in the aftermath of a disaster or emergency. This includes coordinating industry responses to emergencies and providing subject matter experts in all areas of agriculture. Providing necessary leadership and resources for sheltering animals during times of disasters is another primary responsibility of this ESF, including coordination with industry stakeholders and organizations that can provide support.
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Evacuation, Transport, and Sheltering of Pets. ESF #11 will coordinate and support an integrated Federal, State, Tribal, and Local response to ensure the safety and wellbeing of livestock and companion animals. Supported activities include the evacuation, transportation, sheltering, husbandry, and veterinary care of affected animals mandated in the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standard Act of 2006.