MSU Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) Team helps spur change in how emergency personnel respond to accidents involving livestock
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EmailSurvey results demonstrated actionable changes to strategies when responding to accidents involving livestock by emergency personnel who received previous MSU Extension ERAIL training.
The mission of the MSU Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) team is to prepare emergency first responders, law enforcement officials, animal control and others who may respond to an accident involving livestock. To meet the need of creating an organized network of trained emergency responders, the MSU Extension ERAIL team has developed and delivered seven comprehensive programmatic trainings consisting of classroom education combined with hands-on livestock handling experience and provided equipment through nine ERAIL response trailers stationed across Michigan in Berrien, Branch, Graiot, Jackson, Lapeer, Marquette, Midland, Monroe and Otsego counties. To better acquaint personnel with the equipment available and for use in different emergencies, MSU Extension offers ERAIL response trailer trainings to local emergency responders in counties housing ERAIL response trailers across Michigan. Additionally, MSU Extension has offered humane livestock euthanasia training for emergency first responders as well.
Evaluation efforts of these trainings initially sought to measure an increase in the participants’ skills, knowledge, and comfort level needed to feel prepared when responding to an accident involving livestock after participating in a comprehensive ERAIL training. A recent survey was sent via email past ERAIL training participants who attended 2018 -2024 trainings. The survey aimed to gather feedback on the actionable changes the ERAIL program has had on their ability to effectively respond to accidents involving livestock.
Of the 146 surveys sent, 42 responses were received, just shy of a 30% response rate, representing participants from each of the seven comprehensive ERAIL trainings from various counties throughout Michigan. Responses were received from animal control, EMT, fire-fighters, law enforcement, livestock haulers, livestock producers, veterinarians and others.
Fourteen (36.7%) participants reported having responded to an incident involving livestock since participating in an MSU Extension ERAIL training. The number of incidents involving livestock that were responded to by each person ranged from one to several. The majority (64%) of incidents responded to rollover accidents involving a truck and trailer hauling livestock (e.g., pigs, dairy cattle, beef cattle), while other incidents involved gathering and containing loose livestock. The Branch County ERAIL response trailer reportedly responded to two of these incidents involving livestock.
Of those who responded to incidents involving livestock, 100% reported being able to use something they learned from the comprehensive ERAIL training they attended in the past. Responses of what was learned included: accident scene management (n = 7), animal behavior (n = 9), animal containment (n = 9), animal handling (n = 10), disposal of dead animals (n = 6), equipment usage (n = 6), handling compromised animals (n = 4), knowledge of the livestock trailer layout (n = 4) were all found to be useful topics covered by the comprehensive ERAIL training that could be applied to the incidents responded to.
The ERAIL program evaluation highlighted that more than half of the participants made changes in protocols, training or resources made by participants after attending an MSU Extension ERAIL training. Sixty percent reported making changes to protocols, training or resource procurement to prepare for livestock transportation incidents. These changes consisted of discussing the response plan for accidents involving livestock with team members (n = 17), encouraging other team members to attend an ERAIL training (n = 12), identifying the location of the nearest ERAIL response trailer (n = 6), identifying helpful contacts (e.g., large wreckers, veterinarians, etc.; n = 10), sharing information with other team members about how to respond to livestock transportation incidents (n = 11), took steps to secure an ERAIL response trailer (n = 5), and other things (n = 4).
Survey respondents repeatedly stated how useful MSU Extension ERAIL training has been to prepare them when responding to incidents involving livestock. Many respondents mentioned it would be valuable to participate in another ERAIL training to help keep the information learned fresh in their minds. One survey respondent stated, “Great training, practical skills, well taught. Important training that needs to be continued yearly. Very helpful.” Another participant said, “It’s been several years since I took the training, so I don’t remember all the specifics. I do remember saying at the time that it was one of the best, most practical, useful hands-on trainings I’ve ever been to.”
The MSU Extension comprehensive ERAIL trainings were also highly recommended by many for anyone involved with accident situations that may involve livestock. One participant stated, “Great course, would appreciate repeating it and I could try to get more of my unit to attend.” Survey respondents also gave suggestions for future programs, including equipment and developing networks with useful contacts.
Overall, survey participants indicated MSU Extension ERAIL training made a positive difference when they had to respond to incidents involving livestock. The feedback indicated a continuous need for education and training to keep emergency personnel prepared. Additional work can be done to help strengthen these emergency response networks across Michigan to aid in their future responses.
Additional ERAIL program impacts can be found in the following reports: MSU Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock Program Has Statewide, National and International Impacts and Preparing First Responders for Accidents Involving Livestock. If you are interested in participating in an upcoming MSU Extension ERAIL training event, please check out the MSU Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock website and click on events.
The MSU Extension ERAIL team appreciates the support of the following partner organizations for providing financial assistance, promotion or both to the ERAIL program: Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan Pork Producers Association, Michigan Turkey, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Michigan Association of Animal Control Officers, Michigan Commercial Beekeepers Association, Michigan Beekeepers Association and Michigan State Police.
