Training Information

VETS team members work to connect the Anderson sling used in large animal rescue efforts.

The UF VETS team is capable of performing field assessments, small animal disaster response (to include decon, triage, patient care, and sheltering), and large animal technical rescue. If you are interested in coordinating a training program/exercise in your community, please contact John Haven at 352-294-4254.

The team conducts at least one full scale animal disaster response event each year with various SART partners in different locations around the state. The team conducts various large animal training exercises at the college throughout the year to maintain proficiency and is available to assist local fire/rescue efforts 24/7. Team members have completed various rescue courses, including TLAER Inc., Wright Rescue Operations Level and Technician Level Structural Rope Rescue. The team provides labs/training to the AAEP’s student chapter and to the student Public Health and Service Club at UF.  It also assists in conducting disease outbreak exercises with various courses.

TRAINING STANDARDS

To be NIMS (National Incident Management System) compliant, all responders must take IS-100.b (Incident Command System 100 – Introduction to the Incident Command System), IS-200.b (Incident Command System for Single Resources and Initial Actions Incidents), and IS 700.a (National Incident Management System – NIMS An Introduction). Those who will be team leaders must also take ICS 300. For those who will be involved in animal response, it is recommended you complete IS-10a (Animals in Disaster, Module A: Awareness and Preparedness), and IS-11a (Animals in Diaster, Module B: Community Planning), and IS-111 (Livestock in Disasters). It is also recommended responders take IS-5.a (An Introduction to Hazardous Materials). All of these courses, with the exception of ICS 300, are available at no cost at the FEMA Independent Study Site. ICS 300 can be arranged for groups by contacting John Haven.