News Updates...

Results from our National Disaster Rescue Summit
(above, Mandy Speers, a PasadoRescuer from New York, and Careen Maloney, another rescuer who returned from a recent trip to New Orleans, meet up again to share hugs, memories,
and ideas for "next time".)

Above, Dr. Dana Bridges DVM, Pasado's Advisory Board Member and Large Animal Veterinarian. She will lead our large animal (horse, cow, donkey, etc.) rescue team when encountering the next disaster.

Kim Sgro, Director of Special Projects for Pasado's, spearheaded The Summit. Its success and the animals who will be saved because of it in the future, is and will be due to her passion.

The most important contributor to the Summit, however, was “the
volunteer”. There were rescuers from coast-to-coast,  WA State
Department of Emergency Management (DEM) reps, dog trainers, DART and even shelter teams from regions as far as 6 hours away. Yet the
majority were Pasado’s Animal Rescue volunteers who responded to
Pasado’s Safe Havens’ call to help the animals and people of New
Orleans last fall.

As Pasado’s Safe Haven moves forward in developing Disaster Response
Protocol and Training it is critical to recognize the importance of this
conference. The primary goal of the Disaster Summit was to create an
environment where complete, honest and open deliberation could be
achieved in order to development proficient plans for future response
efforts. Based on individual evaluations, not only was the Summit
successful in meeting this goal, but with this collaborative effort, it is clear that we are working together as a team. With each other. For the animals.
"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." Helen Keller
We thank you.

Our deepest thanks to:
Pam, Jacinda, Jennifer, Amber, Rita, Sandy, Merilee, Mandy, Claire, Deborah, Karen, Michelle, Lani, and Secrette for your time,
energy, love and support. Huge kudos to Field Roast Grain Meat Co.,
Essential Baking Company, Marlene’s Market, Odwalla Drinks, PCC,
Safeway, QFC and R.R. Donnelley for providing us with food, drink, and
supplies to help us work together in making Animal Rescue Disaster
Response Protocol even better!


Onward and Upward! (The Creation Of A Comprehensive Human-Animal Rescue and Sheltering Program AND Where This FITS Into Disaster Operations and Incident Command) - David Friedman American Red Cross/Snohomish County Chapter Government Liaison; DAT Captai

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Because of the witnessed dysfunctional response and continued recovery process in the Gulf States, it will now be MANDATORY that all organizations and individuals involved in disaster relief be “credentialed”. What does this mean? It means that every individual (a “single resource”) involved in disaster response, no matter the organization they are affiliated with, will need to be card carrying, certificate showing, Incident Command System (ICS) tested.

As Pasado’s continues to develop “preparedness” for local and national animal rescue responses, there are several things we will need ALL of our rescue volunteers to do in order to be prepared to help:

1. First of all, if it is important to you that you help the animals in some sort of capacity in future (powers forbid) disaster responses, please be sure to sign up immediately on our website rescuer’s list. See below.

2. Secondly, know that you WILL NOT be able to assist in any process of rescue or recovery unless you have been “credentialed”. For a volunteer rescuer this means completing a series of on-line tests offered by NIMS/FEMA. On-line testing typically produces certification in two to three weeks. Expect each test to take 2 to 3 hours each - but DO THEM. You will not be able to help us without them. With hurricane season upon us, do this as soon as you possibly can. Go to the FEMA website here  and take these 3 tests:

IS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System
This course introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

IS-200: Basic Incident Command System
This course describes an Incident Command System (ICS) organization appropriate to the complexity of an incident or event. It will prepare first line supervisors, single resource leaders, lead dispatchers, field supervisors, company officers and entry level positions (trainees) on Incident Management Teams and other emergency personnel to use the ICS to manage an incident or event.

IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS), and Introduction
On February 28, 2003, President Bush issued Homeland Security Presidential Directive-5 (HSPD-5). This directive instructed the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and administer a National Incident Management System (NIMS). The NIMS provides a consistent nationwide template to enable all government, private-sector, and nongovernmental organizations to in concert during domestic incidents. This course explains the purpose, principles, key components, and benefits of NIMS. It also contains "Planning Activity" screens giving you an opportunity to practice some planning tasks.

Never wanting to see animals suffer, Pasado’s will continue to hope for the best, but plan for the worst. We here at the sanctuary also ask that you do the same at your home for your own furry friends.

We need to know who is willing to assist PasadoRescue "next time" - whether it's in time of hurricane, flood, or earthquake. We have to be honest, however: if you're not emotionally and physically strong, please don't apply. But you CAN help from your home, in many ways. When the time comes, we post appeals on our website, sometimes by the minute. There is plenty you can do without witnessing the horror.

But if you regret not being able to help "last time" and feel you have the stamina to assist in the future, please let us know here.

Haven't seen our Katrina memories webpages yet? Start here!