Tag Archives: animals in disasters
2020 Coronavirus Pandemic – a Bit of Background
This Coronavirus has hit and its impact has been severe! I am dumbfounded and staggered to see the speed with which it has moved, and the toll it has taken – physically, socially, economically. There is so much to say, and you may know that I am opinionated, so here goes. Along with a degree […]
Disasters with Agricultural Roots
Most of you are aware that here in British Columbia, I focus on agricultural emergencies. “What are they?” you may ask. “And why should we care?” Good questions, and I’ll offer a few reasons, which I’ve mentioned in other blogs. Two – thirds of animal diseases (and 100’s exist!) are ‘zoonotic’, which means they begin […]
Agricultural Producers and Natural Hazards – Part II
Last month, we discussed the wildfire hazard for agriculture and especially the protection of farm animals – either by movement or ‘sheltering in place’. Let’s mention a few other natural hazards. Earthquakes are a common topic in western Canada, since we’re along a similar geological zone as California to our south. And we know of […]
Agricultural producers and Natural Hazards – Part 1
These past weeks, I’ve been working with local farmers on emergency planning. Some interesting issues have emerged. It’s not surprising that in our part of British Columbia, Canada, the number one natural threat facing farmers is fire – wildfire and barn fire. Our area contains a patchwork of forests and pasture, with a growing number […]
Wildfires, Ranchers, and their Cattle…preventing a BBQ
Most of you are aware that in British Columbia, I have primarily focused on agricultural emergencies. Most agri projects in which I have been involved over the years address “planning”. My hope is that this planning results in a swifter and more effective response to a natural disaster. This might be a Plan for the […]
An Array of Emergency Projects
With summer having come and gone, some projects in which I have been engaged are heating up again. Here’s a sample: In British Columbia, the provincial legislation requires all local governments, large or small, to have emergency plans. Admittedly, some are very robust, and others might simply be captured in an 8 by 11 ½ […]
What a Traffic Jam…A Livestock Rollover Accident!
All of us have seen auto accidents, and many of us have been involved in a collision – hopefully nothing more than a fender bender. However, we know that some accidents are a tragic — involving police, ambulances, lane closures, and tying up traffic for hours. Although not very common, an example of this is […]
Bird Flu raises its ugly head in Canada
In early December, an outbreak of Avian Influenza suddenly hit poultry farms in the populated Fraser Valley, near Vancouver, British Columbia. Immediately, several countries banned imports of poultry products from either BC or Canada. The BC Ministry of Agriculture, Emergency Management BC, and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the RCMP, and local authorities were mobilized. […]
Drought – The Silent Disaster
A drought is an extended period of deficiency in water — either surface or underground. Drought is a normal, recurrent feature or climate. It occurs almost everywhere, although the features vary, depending on location. Defining drought is therefore difficult. It depends on differences in regions, needs, and perspective. A lack of water in Vietnam is […]
Evacuation with your Pet
I stood at the water’s edge in the Ninth Ward of downtown New Orleans. This was several days after Hurricane Katrina had caused its havoc along the Gulf Coast. Before me was a flotilla of small boats, all with one purpose. The “Pet Rescue” was in full swing. I had never witnessed this before, despite […]
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