It is estimated that Alberta has over 320,000 horses, approximately 33% of the total horse population in Canada (2010 Canadian Equine Industry Profile Study). There is not a municipality within Alberta that does not have equine or equine-based businesses nor is there a more diverse industry than the equine industry.
When an emergency occurs, equine and equine owners are affected – horse owners and custodians are often left on their own to manage the horses in their care. Experience has shown that the lack of emergency structure creates human and animal safety issues and has a negative impact on the response of first responders and municipal emergency coordinators to the actual emergency. Survey results from an Alberta Equestrian Federation (AEF) Post Disaster Analysis of the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires show 95% of the respondents agree that there is a need for a specific emergency structure for equine.
In March of 2017, the AEF received funding for the Equine Industry Emergency Preparedness Program. The outcome was an Equine Industry Emergency Preparedness Plan that includes guidelines and templates to assist Municipality governing bodies and personnel incorporate equine into existing emergency management plans. In an emergency, your municipality or community will have the resources to assist equine owners.
Action Plan and Additional information:
- Getting prepared for an emergency or disaster is your best bet for helping keep you, your family and equines safe when disaster strikes.
- Create a 72 hour emergency kit
- Emergency Preparedness for Farm Animals
- Download the app for the Alberta Emergency Alert (current information about emergencies)
- Get prepared for Farm and Acreage Emergencies (short brochure)
- Emergency Livestock Handling Equipment Trailers
- Livestock Identification Services offices and contact
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In a commitment to improve Canada’s approach to emergency management in agriculture, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments have developed an Emergency Management Framework for Agriculture in Canada (the Framework). The Framework sets out to improve Canada’s ability to address risks and emergencies along the continuum from prevention to recovery, therefore strengthening the resilience, sustainability and competitiveness of the agriculture sector.
Click here to view the framework.