PREPARING YOUR VETERINARY PRACTICE FOR A HURRICANE

Thank you to:

Lloyd Meisels, DVM CORAL SPRINGS ANIMAL HOSPITAL

CALOOSA VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

FVMA

FLSART

AVMA

THINGS TO HAVE DONE WELL IN ADVANCE OF A STORM

HAVE A WELL THOUGHT OUT, WRITTEN PLAN IN PLACE.

THE PRACTICES THAT HAD A PLAN IN PLACE RECOVERED MUCH FASTER AND SMOOTHER THAN THOSE THAT HAD NO PLAN.

KNOW THE CONDITION OF YOUR FACILITY

1. CAN IT WITHSTAND A CAT. 3 STORM? 2. IS YOUR FACILITY IN A FLOOD ZONE?

TAKE PICTURES AND/OR VIDEO OF THE INSIDE OF YOUR FACILITY

ALL EQUIPMENT

MAKE SURE TO TAKE PICTURES OR VIDEO OF OUTSIDE STRUCTURE INCLUDING ANY SIGNAGE.

TAKE INVENTORY OF EVERYTHING ON THE INSIDE INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:

1. ALL EQUIPMENT2. ALL DOG AND CAT FOOD3. ALL PHARMACEUTICALS4. ALL VACCINES5. ALL SURGICAL SUPPIES6. ALL RADIOLOGICAL SUPPLIES7. ALL CLEANING/HOUSEKEEPING SUPPLIES8. ALL CONTROLLED DRUGS

REVIEW INSURANCE TOMORROW

ONCE A STORM HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THE PATH IS KNOWN:

YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO INSURE YOUR BUILDING.

GATHER ALL PERTINENT INFORMATION ON YOUR EMPLOYEES.

1. ACCURATE ADDRESS WITH GPS COORDINATES

2. ACCURATE PHONE NUMBERS3. LIST OF EMPLOYEES CLOSEST

RELATIVE

MORE PERINENT INFORMATION

KNOW IF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO RIDE OUT THE STORM

ARE YOU GOING TO BE OPEN FOR BOARDING, HOSPITALIZED ANIMALS, AND EMERGENCIES OR CLOSED DURING A HURRICANE?

IF THE ANSWER IS YES TO STAYING OPEN THEN YOU NEED TO DO THE FOLLOWING:

1. MAKE SURE YOUR BUILDING IS STRONG ENOUGH TO WITHSTAND A MAJOR

STORM.2. DO YOU HAVE HURRICANE SHUTTERS?

3. MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU CAN ADEQUATELY STAFF THE PRACTICE.

REMEMBER, PARENTS WHO HAVE CHILDREN WHO ATTEND SCHOOLS THAT ARE CLOSED WILL PROBABLY BE UNAVAILABLE. STAFF WHO CAN WORK WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO SLEEP IN THE CLINIC. (HAVE THEM BRING SLEEPING BAGS, CLOTHING, MEDICINES FOR 5- 7 DAYS.OTHER PERSONAL ITEMS). ALLOW ESSENTIAL STAFF TO BRING THEIR PERSONAL

PETS AND FAMILY FOR HOUSING.

4. DECIDE WHEN NON-ESSENTIAL STAFF WILL BE FREE TO LEAVE TO PREPARE THEIR HOMES AND TAKE CARE OF THEIR PERSONAL NEEDS (INCLUDING GETTING FUEL FOR THEIR VEHICLES).

5. DECIDE HOW YOU WILL CONTACT THE NON-ESSENTIAL STAFF WHEN THE STORM HAS PAST. (TO CHECK TO SEE HOW THEY WEATHERED THE STORM AND TO LET THEM KNOW WHEN YOU PLAN TO REOPEN AND WHEN THEY ARE EXPECTED TO RETURN TO WORK AND RELIEVE THOSE WHO WORKED DURING THE STORM.

6. ARE YOU GOING TO BOARD PETS DURING THE STORM AND IF YOU ARE, YOU MUST DECIDE IF YOU WILL BOARD FOR CLIENTS ONLY OR OPEN UP TO ANYONE.

7. MAKE SURE TO HAVE EACH CLIENT SIGN A BOARDING POLICY.

8. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE EVERYONE SIGN A DISASTER RELEASE FORM.

CREATE A PACKET OF HURRICANE INFORMATION TO GIVE TO YOUR CLIENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF HURRICANE SEASON.

9. COMMUNICATIONS: A HARD WIRED PHONE AND CELLULAR PHONES MAY WORK WHEN THERE IS NO POWER FOR YOUR PHONE SYSTEM. HAVE A PHONE TREE FOR STAFF TO COMMUNICATE.

10. REMOVE COMPUTER DISC BACK-UPS, APPOINTMENT BOOK, HOSPITAL

MANUALS, TAX RETURNS, EMPLOYEE RECORDS, ETC., AND STORE SAFELY OFFSITE.

11. WRITE OUT A HURRICANE PAY POLICY (FOR DAYS THEY ARE UNABLE TO WORK), IN ADVANCE, FOR DOCTORS AND STAFF SO THERE WILL BE NO MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR HARD FEELINGS.

12. HURRICANE SUPPLY LIST SHALL INCLUDE:

* CASH RESERVES* DISASTER KITS (MEDICAL/SURGICAL/EQUIPMENT)* FOOD FOR 5-7 DAYS (STAFF/DOG/CAT/AVIAN/EXOTIC)* PAPER PLATES/CUPS/CAN OPENERS* BOTTLED WATER (FILL GARBAGE CANS,

TUBS, SINKS, ETC, AND ADD 8 DROPS OF BLEACH/GALLON OR HAVE WATER

PURIFICATION TABS).* DISENFECTANTS* STORAGE BINS* CLEANING TOOLS

* TOOLS, ROPE, TARPS, ETC.* COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT (CELL PHONES, CB, WEATHER RADIO, SPRAY PAINT, CHALK BOARDS)

* WINDOW PROTECTION (SHUTTERS, PLYWOOD, DUCT TAPE)

* RECORD FILE PROTECTION (PLASTIC, TRASH BAGS, MATTRESS COVERS)

* REPAIR EQUIPMENT (STAPLE GUN, CHAINSAW, SHOVEL, TIRE REPAIR KITS)

* LANTERNS, FLASHLIGHTS, BATTERIES* WORKGLOVES, HEAVY DUTY CLOTHES/BOOTS* GENERATOR/GAS/OIL/GAS CONTAINERS* CHAINS/LOCKS* CAMERAS/FILM* COOLERS/ICE

13. HAVE DECEASED ANIMALS PICKED UP BEFORE STORM.

14. TURN OFF AND UNPLUG NON-ESSENTIAL EXPENSIVE EQUIPMENT AND COMPUTER DURING THE ACTUAL STORM PERIOD.

15. TURN OFF ALL OXGEN TANKS THAT ARE NOT IN USE FOR CRITICAL PATIENTS.

16. WALK THE PROPERTY AND BRING INSIDE ALL LOOSE ITEMS.

17. SECURE OUTSIDE DUMPSTER OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY BLOW AWAY.

18. MAKE SURE ROOF DRAINS AND GUTTERS ARE CLEAR/LOW HANGING LIMBS TRIMMED.

19. KEEP A LIST OF SUPPLIERS, STAFF, AND OTHER CRITICAL PHONE #’S (REPAIR

PERSONEL, FVMA, AVMA, UF COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE HOTLINE, EFS

17, ANIMAL SERVICES,

20. SECURE DRUGS REQUIRING SPECIAL ATTENTION. (CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES) GIVE CONSIDERATION TO POSSIBILITY OF LOOTING.

21. DEFINE A TIME THAT YOU WILL NO LONGER ACCEPT BOARDERS FOR ADMISSIONS AND WHEN YOU WILL LOCK DOWN THE FACILITY UNTIL THE STORM PASSES.

22. MAKE SURE EVERY PATIENT HAS AN ID AROUND NECK.

23. HAVE A PLAN FOR WHEN OWNERS MAY PICK UP THEIR PETS AFTER THE STORM.

24. STAFF SHOULD HAVE HIGH RUBBER BOOTS IN CASE OF FLOODING.

25. HAVE A SAFETY PLAN FOR WHEN STAFF AND PATIENTS MAY SAFELY EXIT THE BUILDING AFTER THE STORM.

26. BE SURE AND TAKE PICTURES AFTER THE STORM.

JAN M. HASSE, DVMSARASOTA ANIMAL HOSPITAL4535 BEE RIDGE RD.SARASOTA, FL 34233941-371-5951

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