Agenda - 02-19-2008-7a - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 emergency sheltering with representatives of both the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools and the Orange County Schools. Mr. Steve Scroggs and Dr. George McFarley each indicated that their organizations understood the desire to co-locate pets and that they were open to the possibility of pet co-located shelters. Indeed, each indicated that they would support ongoing investigation into the process and procedures of opening, managing and demobilizing these operations during sheltering activities. Related discussion with representatives of the Red Cross indicate that they are receptive to/ interested in supporting the ongoing investigation into models and standards of pet co-location. However, further investigation of the shelters will be necessary for the Red Cross, especially surrounding issues regarding separate HVAC systems for the different shelter areas. Staff review of pet co-located shelters has determined that the standard delivery model in North Carolina is the Companion Animal Mobile Equipment Trailer (CAMET). CAMETS are pre-filled trailers that include all of the non-perishable items required to open and operate a co-located facility, e.g., forms and documentation, crates, leashes, and mats and plastics used to protect a facility. Currently, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM) and the North Carolina Division of Agriculture and Consumer Safety (NCDA-CS) are promoting the CAMET model of pet co-location throughout the state. These agencies are providing technical expertise in relation to co-location sites and their operation and they have made information available about the acquisition and cost of CAMET units and their contents. Currently, there are 9 deployed CAMETS with 14 more coming online in 2008 and 12 more scheduled for 2009. On the basis of the review of evolving practices and discussion with representatives of the County's school systems, staff believes there are four requirements for pursuing pet co-location in the coming year. These are: • Memorandums of Understanding for Red Cross Sheltering will need to be revised to include a co-location component. • One or more CAMETS should be acquired by the County to ensure that co-location is an option in any area disaster and funding possibilities need to be defined and explored. • Standards of Operation will need to be developed as part of Orange County Emergency Operations Plan. • Training including on-site training and practice will be required to ensure effective co- location in the event of a disaster. Completing these requirements will require substantial staff time and a reasonable timetable that could run anywhere from twelve (12) to eighteen (18) months. Each is feasible given the cooperation of shelter partners provided that pet co-location is supported as an option in disaster events that affect Orange County and its residents. FINANCIAL IMPACT: While no financial commitments need to be made at this time, it should be apparent that pet co-location entails costs for one or more CAMETs and its content and there is no guarantee that there will be external funds for the purchase of an outfitted unit of this kind. Initial discussions suggest that the County's purchase of at least one CAMET is required given the immediate need for such equipment and supplies, the requirement that a facility be protected during co-location, and the likelihood that NCEM CAMETS may not be available. Each CAMET will cost approximately $17,000 and could be funded by general funds and