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CMDART In the News

Disaster preparedness involves animals, too

By Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
lbock@telegram.com

DOUGLAS- The Douglas Community Emergency Response Team and its affiliate, the Central Massachusetts Disaster Animal Response Team, held an open house for the public and area emergency responders yesterday in the Second Congregational Church.

About 30 volunteers, who had recently served locally or nationally, attended the open house.

Some of the volunteers worked in disaster relief in Louisiana and Mississippi last year and shared slides of their trips.

"What we accomplished today was local and regional collaboration, and we're so pleased with that," said Joanne Griffin, a member of the local emergency response team and the animal disaster response team, and also a disaster volunteer for the Central Massachusetts Chapter of the American Red Cross. "The collaboration is just phenomenal."

The American Red Cross, the Massachusetts Emergency Management agency and the Douglas CERT team all participated.

The animal response team originated when members of the American Red Cross Disaster Action Team saw a need to help victims of house fires and other disasters who were distressed by the need to care for their pet after losing their homes.

Wildlife presenter Debi Willoughby from "Jungle Encounters" was also at the open house. Ms Willoughby takes exotic animals for visits to schools and libraries. She talked about the animal response program and about the dangers and skills needed in handling animals, including exotic animals, in emergency situations.

"It was a good effort on behalf of the town," Ms. Griffin said. "It was a very well-done event, and we were all pleased."

There were also volunteers from the Second Congregational Church at the open house yesterday. Pastor William D. Broderick, who was unable to attend the open house, said last night that seven volunteers from his church volunteered in Biloxi , Miss. , in November.

Debi Willoughby talks about the dangers of handling exotic animals in an emergency situation. She is holding a Patag onian cavy named Mara. The cavies are considered the second largest rodents in South America, surpassed only by the capybara. (T&G Staff Photos/ CHRISTINE PETERSON )

Ms. Willoughby is helped in her presentation by a ringtail cat, Bandit, who drapes around her neck as she talks about handling animals in disaster situations.