ERAF Disaster Preparedness Plan 08-24-2014
1.0 ERAF Barn and Garage Diagram…………………………………………………..Page 2
2.0 Barn Fires……………………………………………………………………………………Page 3
3.0 Wildfires……………………………………………………………………………………..Page 5
4.0 Hurricane Preparation…………………………………………………………………Page 6
5.0 Emergency First Aid Kit Items………………………………………………………Page 8
6.0 Evacuation of Horses in Preparation for Catastrophic Storms…….Page 9
7.0 For volunteers, staff and personnel responding to any disaster…Page 11
8.0 Emergency Contacts…………………………………………………….……………..Page 12
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1.0 Barn and Garage Diagram
EXIT
Garage
Back room
EXIT
Office
Laundry
EXIT
EXIT
Tools
Bath
Stall
Tack
&
Feed
Stall
Stall
Stall
Stall
Stall
Stall
Stall
South
West
East
North
Stall
Stall
Overhead
door
Stall
Stall
Metal Track
door
Stall
Window
Stall
EXIT
2
Covered Patio
Electric Panel
Fire
Extinguisher
2.0 Barn Fires

CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY
o ERAF address 6400 SW Martin Highway, Palm City, 34990.
o the nearest main cross street to ERAF is Boat Ramp Road

Contact ERAF President Randy Kinder via text message or voice at 561-358-0625 or email at
walran@comcast.net.

Switches on the electrical panel should be turned off during a fire if possible. Switches are located
inside the barn in the back room on the northwest wall outside the office. Secondary box is located in
the front of the barn on the outside west wall. Refer to Barn Diagram for details.

Fire extinguishers are located every 60 feet inside the barn. Extinguishers should be checked on a
quarterly basis to ensure that they are working properly.

Be aware of all exits for horse and personnel evacuation.
o There are 4 exits on the North, South, East and West side of the barn
o All exits are marked
o

Every attempt should be made to evacuate horses still in the barn during a fire. Exits are
located at each end of the barn, and two by the barn office.
Horses inside the barn should be evacuated to the nearest safe exit.
o The horse should be haltered and led out if possible.
o Close the stall door behind you to prevent the horse from re-entering.
o A horse’s eyes should be covered only when necessary, using a rag, shirt or towel (or whatever
is available) so they can be led out. Rags and towels are located on the supply shelves just
inside of the laundry room.
o If smoke is very heavy, a horse’s nostrils can be covered with a light wet towel until out of the
smoke-filled area. Rags and towels are located on the supply shelves just inside of the laundry
room.
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o Horses should not be let loose but led to the nearest pasture for evacuation.
o After release into the pasture the gate should be securely closed.
o Horses should not be pastured alone in this stressful situation, as they may try to break through
or jump over fences to be with the rest of the herd.

The barn cats will most likely be able to escape the barn on their own during a fire. No one should
place themselves in a dangerous situation in an attempt to look for the cats.
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3.0 Wildfires

Wildfires in the area should be closely monitored by barn personnel.

If a fire is approaching the area, preparations for evacuating the horses should be planned well in
advance.

ID tags should be placed on each horse and all Coggins records, medical records and other vital
information will be transported with each horse to the evacuation area.

The ID tags for each horse along with its medical records are located in the office in the Horse Drawer

ERAF’s evacuation area is a location to be determined by the Barn Coordinator and Board of Directors
immediately following a declared disaster.
o It will be emailed to all listed as a volunteer or staff within the ERAF organization.
o It will also be posted at the gate.

At least a 3 day supply of grain, hay, supplements and medications should accompany evacuating
horses to the evacuation area.

Feed and water buckets should also be taken.

Other staff members and all Board members should be notified if a wildfire evacuation becomes
necessary.

If the barn cats must be evacuated, they will be kept at a location to be determined.
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4.0 Hurricane Preparation

Preparations should be made well in advance of a storm, preferably at the beginning of a hurricane
season. The Board of Directors and the Barn Coordinator are responsible for the disaster
preparations.

Check generator and gas supply

Prepare to keep a two to three week supply of hay, grain, supplements, medications and cat food.
These items can be stored in the separate 3 stall garage behind the barn.

Check for adequate fresh water storage, including frozen soda/water bottles filled with water to keep
refrigerator cool in the case of power outage.

Our old water tubs should be filled and used as drinking water for the horses and barn cats. 12 – 18
gallons of water per horse per day should be stored for drinking

Check supply of heavy duty trash bags, flashlights, battery operated lanterns, hand sanitizer and baby
wipes.

Install hurricane windows in stalls. Hurricane windows are stored in the back room in the barn.

Check boarding for windows in office and tack room.

Check equipment storage in preparation for storm

Take down the round pen

Prepare horse identification – tags, livestock markers on horses and halters.

Photograph or video property and animals should be taken in advance of a storm and securely stored
for insurance and identification purposes.

All Horse records are currently stored off premises and stick drive.

Store and secure items that could become debris and projectiles during strong winds.

Have an adequate supply of chlorine bleach to treat contaminated water.

Fire extinguishers and fire alarm systems should be checked and tested.
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
Prepare to turn off the electricity to the barns. Circuit Breakers are located in back room on the
northwest wall outside of the office and the northeast corner outside the barn. See Diagram.

Have emergency first aid kit prepared and on-hand. The kit should be stored in a secure location
during the storm.

Fences should be checked and repairs made before the storm if horses will be turned out during
hurricane conditions.

Put breakaway halter on each horse with ID tag. No nylon halters during the storm!
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5.0 Emergency First Aid Kit Items

Any current medications for each horse

Medications that may be needed

Syringes or needles required to administer medication

Ointments for wounds

Hydrogen peroxide

Bandages and wraps

Medical Towels

Scissors

Medical tape

At least two thermometers

Flashlights with fresh batteries

Hoof Knife

Sterile gauze pads

Vetwrap

Additional halters and lead ropes

Cotton-tipped swabs

Hand-Sanitizing towels

Eye flush and ointment

Insect repellent

Furazone

Blue Kote spray

Horseman’s Dream Cream

Anything else we can think of for minor physical ailments or conditions
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6.0 Evacuation of Horses in Preparation for Catastrophic Storms

Contact Randy Kinder 561-358-0625 or Elaine Hines 561-379-2356 for instructions

An evacuation decision will be determined by the Barn Coordinator and members of the Board of
Directors.
o In all probability, horses will remain at the ERAF barns during storms. The barn is wellconstructed and has adequately weathered numerous hurricanes. Many of ERAF’s horses with
health and physical problems would not be able to make a long trip in a horse trailer.

Horses remaining at the barn for the duration of the storm will be kept inside for storms in Categories
1 – 3. Horses will be turned out to pasture for Category 4 and 5 storms if the decision is made not to
evacuate. Each horse must be wearing a breakaway halter during hurricane conditions.

Evacuation factors to be considered will be intensity and anticipated location of landfall and conditions
associated with the storm. Locations in north and south Florida, as well as locations out of state are
available to be considered. Stable locations for disaster evacuations are available in Georgia and South
Carolina, with specific information on these locations on file. Evacuation routes will be discussed when
location is determined.

In the case of a decision to evacuate
o horses that are able to physically make the trip will be transported by ERAF trailer and trailers
owned and operated by ERAF members at least 72 hours before anticipated hurricane
conditions.
o Rescue horses that are not physically able to make a long trip will be relocated to more stable
and secure structures in the immediate area until the storm passes (Martin Downs).
o All Coggins records, medical records and other vital information will be transported with each
horse.
o Sufficient supplies of feed, water, buckets and necessary medications will also be transported.
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
Barn cats will remain at the barn unless it is determined that the structure of the barn will not
withstand the anticipated winds. If the cats must be evacuated, they will be kept at a location to be
determined.
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7.0 For all volunteers, staff and personnel responding to a disaster at ERAF

Call 772-220-0150 to find out where to meet if the road to the barn is blocked. There will be
vehicles available to get you to the barn from a central meeting area to be determined according
to the disaster declared.

It is important that you assume that there is nothing being furnished for you. If you respond, plan
to bring these items:

Water: at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food: at least enough for 3 to 7 days

Non–perishable packaged or canned food and juice

Snack foods

Non-electric can opener

Cooking tools and fuel

Paper or plastic plates, cups and utensils

Blanket, Pillow, cot, or inflatable bed

Clothing: seasonal, rain gear, sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit, medicines, and Prescription Drugs

Toiletries – hygiene items, hand sanitizer, soap, mouthwash, toothbrush and paste

Moisture Wipes

Flashlight and extra batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Cash – Banks and ATMs may not be open or available for extended periods.

Keys

Books or games

Important Documents – in a waterproof container

Vehicle fuel tanks filled
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8.0 Emergency Contacts
More disaster preparedness information can be found at WWW.floridadisaster.org.
Martin county Sheriff’s Office
772-220-7000
Martin County Animal Control
772-287-1656
www.sheriff.martin.fl.us
Martin County EMA:
http://www.martin.fl.us/portal/page?_pageid=350,522034&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
Veterinary:
Harbour Ridge Equine Veterinary Services…..561-313-3520
Dr. James……………………………………………………..561-427-5648
ERAF Officers/Designees
Randy Kinder……………………………………………… 561-358-0625
Elaine Hines………………………………………………..561-379-2356
Trish Heuser………………………………………………..772-528-4788
Marilynn Vannucci………………………………………203-788-8915
Amber Schur………………………………………………..561-339-9442
Erica Polvan, Barn Coordinator…………………….954-871-3413
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