ERAIL 2024: A program of continuing success. Part 2: Hands-on trainings for Michigan First Responders
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EmailIn 2024, the MSU Extension ERAIL team had two statewide, in-person trainings for Michigan first responders.
Responding to accidents is never an easy task. Responding to an accident involving large trucks, people and animals can quickly become chaotic if the local response team is not prepared or trained to handle such an occurrence. Following several livestock truck rollovers over the last few years in Michigan and adjacent states, Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDARD) and Michigan Pork Producers Association recognized the need for a network of trained people across the state to respond to these situations. To help local sheriffs/police, fire crews, ambulances, veterinarians, and other officials prepare for rollovers of semis-pulling livestock trailers, MSU Extension is coordinating specialized hands-on training for livestock accident responders.
In 2024, the MSU Extension Emergency Response to Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) team hosted two intense one-day training sessions focused on preparedness for first responders. These trainings were held in Imlay City, MI, in May 2024 and in East Lansing, MI, in October 2024. Over 100 people attended these two trainings, which increases the number of people trained in the ERAIL program to over 750 people. These programs were aimed at helping response teams plan for and respond to rollover accidents involving livestock. The one-day training focused on managing the scene of an accident, organizing volunteers and working to ensure public safety and animal welfare. Participants learned about extrication of trapped animals from trucks/trailers, management of a rollover accident incident, chain of command, safe handling of large animals and humane euthanasia techniques for severely injured animals.
Participants gained and enhanced their animal behavior and handling skills by combining in-class and hands-on training. Participants at both locations were surveyed regarding the training and responded with overwhelming success. In a post-program survey, 100% of the program participants indicated that they increased their knowledge and skills when providing emergency responses to accidents involving animals. Additionally, 100% of attendees had a significant increase in their awareness, available resources, and the skills and people needed to respond appropriately to a livestock transportation accident.
The overwhelmingly positive response to this training is a testament to its effectiveness. Participants shared their feedback, which included:
- “This training made me think more about handling animals and safety, especially when working with downed animals.”
- “Thank you! It was an incredible experience that brought insight and was a lot of fun – very informative.”
- “We appreciate you allowing us to attend and meet to discuss this amazing program. This has helped define what type of training is needed locally.”
- “This was so informative and helpful moving forward. It was a great training, and I would love to take more classes on this topic.”
One of the unique successes of this program was the collaboration with the Kansas Department of Agriculture Emergency Management Division at the October training. Following input and guidance from the animal agriculture industry in Kansas, the Emergency Management Division was looking for information that could meet the needs of their industry by addressing preparedness for livestock accidents. Through research and connections with MDARD's Emergency Management division, two Kansas department leadership team members attended ERAIL Training, including an informational session with ERAIL team members the night before the training.
The experience that these representatives had solidified the need to duplicate this training in Kansas and has spearheaded plans to advocate for ERAIL training in the state. "I’d love to have a program similar to ERAIL in Kansas, and I plan to advocate for bringing this to our state,” Nathan Brown, with the Kansas Emergency Management division, said. “The Trailer program is greatly needed." He also credited the success of the ERAIL program to the work of the MSU Extension ERAIL Team, indicating that his biggest concern with replicating the ERAIL program in Kansas is that he wouldn't have Michigan's ERAIL team that functions so incredibly well together while connecting meaningfully with responders and providing education that is palatable and understood for this specialized audience.
