New AVMA tool connects veterinary responders with state officials during emergencies

Photo: Budimir Jevtic/Adobe Stock

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently shared a new tool that connects trained veterinary first responders with state officials in need of their assistance during disasters and emergencies. This new resource—the veterinary first responder registry—expands upon the AVMA Axon Veterinary First Responder Certificate program, according to the organization.¹

The AVMA Veterinary First Responder Certificate program is designed to ensure that veterinarians and veterinary students are prepared to respond effectively to disasters and animal health emergencies. “The program serves as a framework for ensuring veterinarians and veterinary students have the knowledge and skills to serve as first responders,” wrote the AVMA in its program description.²

Participants must complete a series of approved courses and educational materials that cover core competencies, including disaster preparedness and situational awareness with solutions to health concerns, biosecurity, euthanasia techniques, reporting and responding to zoonotic and foreign animal diseases, and more. Upon completion, learners must submit proof of completion to AVMA reviewers, and, pending approval, will receive an AVMA Veterinary First Responder certificate.²

Once participants have earned the certificate, they will be added to the veterinary first responder registry, which will allow authorized state officials to reach out to them and inform them of opportunities to assist. Certificate holders who prefer not to be included in the registry can opt to have their information withheld.¹

Only veterinarians and veterinary students who have completed the AVMA First Responder Certificate program can be included in the registry. Requirements can be met through approved veterinary colleges and coursework from the AVMA, according to the organization.¹

“The Veterinarian’s Oath” pledges all veterinarians to use our scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society,” wrote the AVMA in the release.¹ “Serving as a veterinary first responder is one way in which we are able to do so. So is joining the AVMA, which empowers the Association to create and maintain tools that aid this work, like the first responder registry and the certificate program.”

Earlier this month, dvm360 met with the team at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital in New Jersey and talked about things veterinary teams can discuss with their clients regarding disaster preparation for their pets.³

“If you have to evacuate because there's a fire coming, with cats, especially, that can be hard to do. So, having their crate or their carrier of some kind out fairly frequently, so they get used to it. Put bedding in there, put treats in there. So, [that] they know it's kind of a safe space and if you have to put them in there, it's not going to be a big shock,” said Karen Roach, RVT, VTS (ECC), a team trainer at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, in an interview with dvm360.³

“If you have animals that you can't just throw in your car, you might need to just let them loose. Let them get out of the way on their own and find them later. I know we don't often microchip our horses and goats, but that might not be a bad idea—to have some kind of [identification] on if you have those kind of pets or livestock,” she continued.

dvm360 also compiled a series of comprehensive tips from emergency care experts to help prepare clients and veterinary teams for disaster situations. The report includes information on disaster preparation, pet emergency kits, and what to do during a disaster, including how to provide emergency care, with a focus on situations involving fires.⁴

Additional resources from the AVMA for veterinarian and animal owner disaster preparation and response can be found at avma.org/Disaster.¹

References

1. Our oath in action: New AVMA tool supports disaster response. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. January 8, 2025. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.avma.org/blog/our-oath-action-new-avma-tool-supports-disaster-response?utm_source=delivra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=todays-headlines-blog
2. Veterinary First Responder Certificate Program. American Veterinary Medical Association. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://axon.avma.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=198
3. Roach K, Coppock Crossley K. Preparing animals for emergency evacuation. dvm360. January 8, 2025. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/preparing-animals-for-emergency-evacuation
4. Coppock Crossley K. Tips to help prepare clients and the veterinary team for a disaster situation. dvm360. January 10, 2025. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.dvm360.com/view/tips-to-help-prepare-clients-and-the-veterinary-team-for-a-disaster-situation