San Bernardino County has actually taken a considerable action towards making sure the safety and wellness of its animal population by introducing the Large Animal Rescue Team, a specialized department committed to saving animals in requirement throughout natural catastrophes. The group is based out of Fire Station 305 in Hesperia, California, which likewise houses an Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) system.
Natural catastrophes in California, such as wildfires and earthquakes, have actually been increasing in frequency and strength over recent years. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, over 4 million acres were burned in 2020 alone. These catastrophes frequently leave many animals, both wild and domestic, in requirement of rescue.
“The new equipment and trailer are vital for rescuing large animals where conventional fire & rescue tools are unable to assist,” says Battalion Chief Mike McClintock. “Specialized tools, harnesses, and equipment will allow firefighters to safely rescue horses, cows, or other large livestock.” The group has a 400-pound sensible horse prop to help with training, guaranteeing they are gotten ready for real-life rescue circumstances.
The Large Animal Rescue Team’s jurisdiction extends throughout San Bernardino County, and it can likewise be triggered in surrounding locations. In March, the group was triggered in the neighborhood of Muscoy (suburban area of San Bernardino), where they rescued 17 big animals stuck in deep mud. In addition to the big animals, teams rescued 30 medium-sized animals.
The group operates in close cooperation with the USAR system, which is trained to react to a vast array of emergency situation circumstances. “Urban Search and Rescue teams respond to events such as earthquakes and other incidents that cause widespread damage to a variety of structures and entrap up to hundreds or thousands of people,” discusses McClintock. The USAR group has actually just recently been released for 2 weeks throughout the extraordinary storms in regional mountains, supplying structural triage, shoring, and rescue operations in impacted locations.
Chief McClintock highlights the value of inter-agency cooperation and training: “USAR personnel this week have been providing in-service training to area crews to familiarize our firefighters with the new equipment.”
As natural catastrophes continue to be a considerable issue for Californians, the Large Animal Rescue Team’s existence supplies a vital safeguard for the animal population, making sure that many lives are saved in the face of misfortune. Their commitment to their objective is a heartfelt tip of the strength and strength of the human spirit, and the value of neighborhood in times of crisis.
