December
Alberta Poultry Industry Emergency
Response Planning and Resource
Guide for Producers
Alberta Farm Animal Care
Cambrian PO Box 75028, Calgary AB, T2K 6J8
2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Authority...........................................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.
Objectives ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Prevention............................................................................................................................................................................ 6
Protect Farm Assets ..................................................................................................................................................6
People ...................................................................................................................................................................6
Livestock ...............................................................................................................................................................6
Facilities and Contents .........................................................................................................................................7
Environment Systems....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Facility Power & Backup Generator Systems ................................................................................................................... 8
Air Ventilation and conditioning Systems ........................................................................................................................ 8
Preparing your Poultry House Ventilation Systems for Winter........................................................................................ 9
Preparing your Poultry House Ventilation Systems for Extreme Heat ............................................................................. 9
Air Quality ........................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Lighting ............................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Water Systems ............................................................................................................................................................... 10
Poultry Houses ............................................................................................................................................................... 10
Pest Control Measures ................................................................................................................................................... 10
Farm Operational Records ................................................................................................................................ 11
Managing Risk........................................................................................................................................................ 11
Exposure Identification...................................................................................................................................... 11
Mitigation Strategies......................................................................................................................................... 12
Preparedness ................................................................................................................................................................... 12
Biosecurity Preparedness ...................................................................................................................................... 13
Flood Preparedness ............................................................................................................................................... 14
Drought Preparedness........................................................................................................................................... 14
Hazardous Materials Preparedness ....................................................................................................................... 14
Fire Preparedness .................................................................................................................................................. 15
Manure Management ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Livestock Mortality Disposal .................................................................................................................................. 15
Response ............................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Recovery ............................................................................................................................................................................ 16
Disaster Financial Assistance ................................................................................................................................. 16
Appendix 1: 'Planning for and Responding to Disasters in Canada' ............................................................ 18
Overview................................................................................................................................................................ 18
Element 1 - Roles / Responsibilities of Home Owner / Rural Resident .............................................................. 18
Element 2 – Farm Assets ................................................................................................................................... 18
Element 3 - Communications ............................................................................................................................ 19
Element 4 - Health, Safety, and Food ................................................................................................................ 19
Element 5 – Main Power, Standby Power, and Other Energy Sources.............................................................. 19
Element 6 – Water Supplies .............................................................................................................................. 20
Element 7 - Health, Safety & Feed - Plants and Animals ................................................................................... 20
Element 8 – Environmental Waste Disposal Water & Manure ......................................................................... 21
Element 9 - Finance and Administration ........................................................................................................... 22
Appendix 2: Emergency Preparedness Funding ................................................................................................. 23
Government Funded Programs ............................................................................................................................. 23
Environmental Farm Plan .................................................................................................................................. 23
Animal Health Biosecurity Producer Program ................................................................................................... 23
Confined Feeding Operation (CFO) Stewardship Program ................................................................................ 23
On-Farm Energy Management Program........................................................................................................... 23
On-Farm Stewardship Program......................................................................................................................... 24
On-Farm Water Management Program ........................................................................................................... 24
Appendix 3: Ready AG Disaster and Defense Preparedness for Production Agriculture – Poultry
and General Agriculture Sections and Worksheets ........................................................................................... 25
Appendix 4: Testing and Plan Maintenance .......................................................................................................... 26
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Alberta Poultry Industry Emergency Response Planning and Resource Guide for Producers is
to direct poultry producers to resources that are available to aid in the development of an emergency response
plan. Using the resources identified in this guide, a producer can create an effective plan to be activated and
utilized at time of an incident (anything that affects regular farm operations). This planning Guide directs poultry producers to the information, tools, and activities needed to aid in their task of developing an emergency
response plan.
This Guide is intended to address interruptions in normal services due to the consequences of natural or manmade emergencies. It does not specifically address disease-related emergencies. For information on prevention, preparation, or response to disease-related emergencies, producers should work with the farm veterinarian, provincial agriculture representative, or the local office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Alberta poultry producers can use the resources within the Guide to assist them in completing their own contingency plans, using relevant sections and adding any additional items that are unique to their farm.
Important reminders relating to the plan include:
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Keep the plan where it can easily be seen or found in case it is needed while the producer is away from
the farm. It is recommended to use the “REP Emergency Tube” as an additional storage placement of
the farm’s emergency response plan to aid first responders when responding to an incident.
Review the plan annually as well as after an incident or any significant change in farm operations.
Review the plan with family, employees and, where appropriate, with neighbouring farms.
DIRECTION
Under the direction of Alberta Farm Animal Care and the Alberta Poultry Industry, this Guide has been developed through extensive research and analysis of available resources in the agricultural industry provincially,
across Canada, and in the United States.
The Guide was compiled and is provided based on the fundamental principle that the initial responsibility for
responding to, and dealing with, an incident normally rests with the farm / producer directly affected.
The Guide identifies how producers can develop a plan to be used to elicit the necessary assistance of municipal, provincial, and federal government organizations and resources when, and/or if, private resources alone
cannot manage the response.
OBJECTIVES
The specific objective of Alberta Farm Animal Care and the Alberta Poultry Industry Emergency Management
Team in producing this resource guide was to ensure that poultry producers are aware of the need for emer-
gency management planning and the significant resources available to assist them in addressing the development of contingency plans. To this end, the Guide will provide essential information related to:
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Guidelines for an effective response during an emergency incident or disruptions to normal operations;
The steps for planning and responding to natural disasters;
Sources of information for identifying and mitigating risks and vulnerabilities;
Road map to developing a state of preparedness;
Rules and regulations in developing timely and effective response measures for various kinds of disasters;
Identification of tools, services, products, and capabilities to minimize the recovery period following an
emergency.
The resources identified in this guide are grouped according to the industry recognized phases of emergency
management planning and are supported by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada:
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Prevention/Mitigation
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
Prevention
The information provided for preventative measures is aimed at helping poultry producers reduce the risk to
health, life, property and the environment from either natural or man-made disasters.
Preparedness
Subject matter related to tools, activities, programs, and systems developed prior to a disaster / emergency
that are used to support and enhance prevention, response and recovery.
Response
Content to inform producers about activities that address the immediate and short-term effects of the disaster
/ emergency and that will enable the development of essential response methods and procedures.
Recovery
Information related to activities and programs designed to restore the affected property to an acceptable operational condition.
PREVENTION
This section provides prevention and mitigation tools and resources to aid producers in developing emergency
response plans specific to their operation. Prevention refers to the positioning of those measures and activities
that will lessen the possibility or the impact of an adverse incident occurring on the producer’s farm. Prevention of an emergency includes the ongoing activities undertaken in advance to reduce the chance of an emergency occurring and to minimize the effects of an emergency if / when it occurs. The primary objectives of the
Prevention phase are to protect the producer’s assets and manage risk.
The primary objectives of the prevention phase of emergency preparedness are to:
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Protect Farm Assets:
o People/employees
o Livestock
o Facilities and contents
o Farm operational records
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Manage Risk:
o Exposure identification
o Mitigation strategy
Some of the best investments a poultry farmer should focus on are preventative measures to protect their
farm assets. For example, safety controls at a poultry producer’s farm, supplemented by sound maintenance
practices and well-trained staff, may significantly reduce the possibility of a business interruption and minimize
damage through a well-orchestrated response.
The producer should be fully informed concerning the prevention measures currently available and or in place
within the poultry industry to protect farm assets. They should also be willing to participate in control reviews
and upgrade recommendations to their poultry operation. Enhanced control measures in the areas of environmental protection, biosecurity, fire protection, employee training, and facility maintenance can play a significant role in reducing the potential for a serious disruption to the producer’s operation.
PROTECT FARM ASSETS
Protecting farm assets involves safeguarding those “items” that have value to the poultry operation. Farm asset protection planning considerations and efforts provide for the following:
PEOPLE
Farm personnel and employees are the most important assets because of the knowledge and skills they possess and for the experience and value they contribute to the poultry farm’s operations. Planning considerations
and efforts for the protection of people address issues related to health and safety and emergency response.
LIVESTOCK
Poultry are an important asset to the producer as they are the main business function of the farm. When planning for disasters, great care should be taken to protect the life, health and welfare of the poultry stock.
FACILITIES AND CONTENTS
Questions for a producer to consider include: Is your poultry farm ready to respond to a business disruption or
disaster? How should you prepare? What kind of natural, man-made, or accidental threats might become reality? For example: Floods? Tornado? Drought? Fire? Toxic spills or environmental accidents? Pests? Diseaserelated events (reportable or non-reportable)? These are only a few questions that must be answered to develop and implement an effective emergency response and business continuity plan.
Facilities and contents are important assets because they represent substantial capital investment. Planning
considerations and efforts for facilities and contents generally address issues related to “things” like barns,
equipment, and other operational assets that would be defined for and required by the producer’s insurance
company.
In terms of the threats that are most likely to materialize, each poultry farm must be evaluated. These include
the effects of an interruption or disaster upon the farm, the farm’s capacity to cope with and minimize those
effects, and the effects on dependent facilities wherever they may be located.
In analyzing and addressing the vulnerabilities of poultry farms, the producer must consider environmental,
indigenous, and even economic factors such as:
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Estimating the likelihood of damage at your farm, either by direct effects or by an impact of damage at
a nearby facility;
The likely impact that damage to a supplier’s operation may have on your ability to continue farm production.
The possibility of regional disasters or service interruptions at or near your farm that can disrupt your
farm operations;
Making plans for and installing sufficient protective measures to minimize damage to the farm operation, personnel and poultry stock; and
Production factors such as the criticality of the livestock, exclusiveness of the environment in which the
livestock are produced, where the farm is located, and stockpiled material on hand.
Farms may also be vulnerable to indigenous factors such as on-site use of hazardous materials, storage of combustible materials, the detail of farm layout and maps, or employee evacuation routes. Analysis of farm vulnerabilities can provide the basis for developing practical and workable response plans.
ENVIRONMENT SYSTEMS
Your facility's environmental systems consist of more than air conditioning. The system encompasses power,
plumbing, lighting, and thermal protection. Power problems, in the form of voltage fluctuation, transient voltage spikes and brown/blackouts, can adversely affect sensitive equipment. Improperly filtered water can clog
radiators and heat exchangers as well as water feeding systems.
Consider the following when examining the environmental systems in your facility. These types of concerns
may also need to be addressed during facility restoration efforts after an incident occurs.
FACILITY POWER & BACKUP GENERATOR SYSTEMS
Monitor your main power for disturbances. Electronic equipment, especially computer systems, are sensitive
to power disturbances that may not be noticeable without the aid of specialized monitoring equipment. Surge
protectors, or some form of power conditioning that effectively removes transient voltage spikes, may be required if computers or other sensitive electrical equipment is present. Transient voltage spikes of 500 to 5,000
volts are common in areas subject to violent electrical storms.
The following are resources currently available within the poultry industry focused on maintenance and mitigation of the poultry producer’s electrical systems.
Avoiding Electrical Catastrophe - National Poultry Tech Center, Auburn University
Time for an Electrical System Check-up – The University of Georgia
Will Your Standby Generator Stand Up? - National Poultry Tech Center, Auburn University
Summertime Tune-up Checklists – National Poultry Tech Center, Auburn University
Preventing Common Electrical Problems That Can Cause Catastrophic Losses – The Poultry Engineering, Economics & Management Newsletter
Is Your Standby Generator Set to Go? Alarms Ready? Breakers and Wiring in Good Shape? Are Your Backups Set?
– The Alabama Poultry Engineering & Economics Newsletter
Emergency Power for Poultry Production – Auburn University
Managing Broiler House Backup Systems to Avoid Catastrophic Losses – The Alabama Poultry Engineering &
Economics Newsletter
Hot Circuit Breaker? A Fan is Not the Solution – The University of Georgia
Circuit Breaker Overheating – The University of Georgia
Monitoring Poultry House Power Usage – The University of Georgia
AIR VENTILATION AND CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
Schedule regular preventative maintenance on all air ventilation and control systems. Follow the preventative
maintenance schedule for your air ventilation and control systems.
Keep a written record of each maintenance action, including the problems and their solutions.
The following are resources currently available within the poultry industry focused on maintenance and mitigation of the poultry producers’ air ventilation and control systems.
The Economic Importance of House and Ventilation Management – The Poultry Engineering, Economics &
Management Newsletter
Poultry House Controllers – Auburn University
Why Controllers? – U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
PREPARING YOUR POULTRY HOUSE VENTILATION SYSTEMS FOR WINTER
The following factsheets have been developed by Auburn University, in cooperation with the U.S. Poultry
& Egg Association:
Get Ready for Winter! The Five-Step Program
Winter Maintenance: Setting Priorities
Sealing Concrete Foundation Air Leaks
Wintertime Broiler House Ventilation
Paddle and Recirculating Fans
What Is the Most Important Part of Your Poultry House Ventilation System?
Stir Fan Options for High and Low Ceiling Poultry Houses
Managing Transitional Ventilation
Managing Minimum Ventilation
Economics of Commercial Layer House Ventilation
Tests Show Fan Shutter Air Leakage Causes Cold Weather Problems
Cold Weather Inlet Management: A Common Sense Approach
Minimum Ventilation Rates
PREPARING YOUR POULTRY HOUSE VENTILATION SYSTEMS FOR EXTREME HEAT
The following factsheets have been developed by the National Poultry Technology Center, Auburn University
and will help the producer prepare for extreme temperatures:
Avoiding Hot Weather Problems
Keeping Birds Cool, Costs Down in Summertime Heat
Keys to Top Evaporative Cooling Performance
Fan Belt, Pulleys, Shutters, Cool Pads - And Profits
Keys to Getting Good Performance from Your Evaporative Cooling System
Three Simple Steps for Evaporative Cooling Efficiency
Getting the most from evaporative cooling systems in tunnel ventilated broiler houses
6 Top Tips for Best Tunnel Cooling
Big Birds, Hot Weather and Maximum Comfort, Performance and Profit
AIR QUALITY
The following factsheets have been developed by The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service and
provide producers with information related to air quality issues within poultry barns:
Carbon Monoxide Measuring and Monitoring
Reducing Ammonia Levels During Brooding
Measuring Ammonia Levels in Poultry Houses
Oxygen
LIGHTING
A producer should have both internal and external lighting systems reviewed by a lighting system engineer.
Poor or inadequate lighting can reduce employee effectiveness and safety as well as affect the growth rates of
birds:
Poultry House Light Dimming Issues
Broiler House Lighting Developments
Energy Efficient Lighting
Controlling Light in Broiler Production
Stopping Lightning and Other Electrical Problems That Can Kill Birds
WATER SYSTEMS
The following factsheets have been produced in cooperation with U.S. Poultry and Egg and Alabama Poultry &
Egg Association and provide producers with information related to poultry barn water systems:
Water System Inspection Pays Off
Water System Check-Up
Is Poor Drinker Management Costing You Fuel Dollars?
Key Water Factors for Broiler Production
Is Your Water System Designed for Peak Demand?
How Much Water Does a Broiler House Use?
Do You Know Your Water Quality?
Using Water Consumption as a Management Tool
Six-inch Pad System Water Usage and Pipe Sizing
POULTRY HOUSES
The following factsheets have been produced in cooperation with U.S. Poultry and Egg and Alabama Poultry &
Egg Association and provide producers with information related to poultry house maintenance:
Avoiding Snow Disaster
Can Your Trusses Be Trusted?
Attic Inlet Technology Update
Is Shifted Ceiling Insulation Running Up Your Gas Bill?
Renovating or Retrofitting Older Broiler Houses
How Much Should I Spend on Retrofitting an Old House?
New Treated Lumber Requires Special Fasteners to Avoid Risk of Early Structural Failure
Site and Pad Preparation: Critical in New House Construction for Long Service Life
Problems With Blown-In Insulation In Dropped-Ceiling Houses
Operating a Modern Broiler House During Cold Weather
PEST CONTROL MEASURES
The following factsheets provide the producer with available information related to pest control measures:
Control of Insects and Related Pests of Livestock and poultry – B.C. Ministry of Agriculture
Darkling Beetles...Costs and Control – University of Georgia
Rodent Control in Livestock and Poultry Facilities – Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food
Pest Management on Poultry Farms – University of Connecticut
Pest Management Recommendations for Poultry – Cornell and Penn State Cooperative Extension Publication
Fly Control in the Poultry House – Oklahoma State University
Wild Bird Control in The Poultry House – Oklahoma State University
FARM OPERATIONAL RECORDS
Farm operational records are important assets because they are the producer’s information lifelines. Operational records would consist of any and all pertinent information the poultry farmer relies on for their day-today operations (feed nutrition, water, flock data, payroll & human resource data, etc.).
Identifying and securely storing the farm’s operational records out of harm’s way is an essential prerequisite
for a comprehensive resumption and recovery capability. An off-site storage plan and procedure for operational data would allow the producer to access this data even in the event that the local operational records have
been destroyed due to an incident (i.e. flooding).
Planning considerations and efforts for operational records include:
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Classifying and prioritizing the information;
Storing copies on-site and off-site (uploading to the internet);
Implementing backup procedures on an established and scheduled basis;
Ensuring copies can be obtained from an alternate source that, in all probability, will not be affected by
a localized event.
As farm operational records are identified and committed to a safe off-site storage location, each API producer
should include this information in their plans along with the tasks describing how and when the farm operational records will be used to resume or recover their farm operations.
MANAGING RISK
It is not feasible or possible to prevent and protect your poultry farm against all hazards that exist or to duplicate entire facilities, contents, equipment, farm operational records, and information solely for backup and
recovery purposes. Rather, planning is better directed to the implementation of cost-effective preventative
measures.
EXPOSURE IDENTIFICATION
Exposure identification is a key factor in successful planning because it addresses the poultry farm’s timesensitive business operations, the technology that supports the operations, and how those operations may be
vulnerable to prolonged outages.
Exposure identification generally addresses issues involved with personnel and facility matters, internal and
external dependencies, physical and procedural safeguards, environmental issues, and natural, man-made or
technological threats. Where possible, the planning objective is to avoid or prevent the incident from occurring.
Examples of exposure identification planning for farm personnel and facility matters include the farm’s location
and its surrounding areas, security and farm access, dependencies on single employees or specialized skills of
staff, undocumented processes and operations, single resource components and suppliers, and customized
equipment and processes used on the farm.
These planning considerations should be addressed during the early stages of the plan development. They form
the basis for formulating your farm disaster recovery and continuity plan.
MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Mitigation strategies are usually policies and procedures that are formulated as a part of prevention. These
strategies are important because they help to contain the damage resulting from an incident when it occurs
and mitigating its impact and consequences.
The intent here is to minimize harm to personnel and livestock; minimize damage to facilities and equipment;
contain impacts to operations; and establish plans and procedures for short-term and long-term recovery and
restoration. These planning considerations and efforts should assist in identifying “reactive measures” for
emergency preparedness and response procedures, identifying requirements for life safety matters, supporting
crisis management planning, and for developing business resumption and recovery plans.
Taking precautionary measures and adhering to vendor maintenance schedules can prevent business interruptions. Having regular scheduled preventative maintenance on all operational equipment will help to locate and
eliminate possible equipment failures before they become disasters. Equipment manufacturers usually have
trained personnel for this function. Additionally, equipment operation guides contain information on user
maintenance procedures that can enhance equipment reliability.
PREPAREDNESS
Preparedness encompasses activities, programs, and systems developed prior to a disaster / emergency
that are used to support and enhance prevention, response, and recovery efforts.
Consider the following poultry industry resource links for your farm. These types of concerns may also need to
be addressed in alternative site selection and poultry farm restoration.
The following are resources currently available within the poultry industry. These resources are valuable tools
to be used in guiding the producer in their efforts in developing mitigation strategies for their poultry farm
emergency preparedness plans.
BIOSECURITY PREPAREDNESS
The National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard form is the basis of a comprehensive voluntary program designed to provide applicable guidance for owners or managers in all the poultry sectors in Canada. It has been
developed as a tool for all people and businesses handling and keeping poultry, including large-scale supplymanaged producers, backyard flock owners, and other domestic bird keepers.
The On-Farm Biosecurity Standard is supplemented by a General Producer Guide, which provides guidance to
producers on how the Target Outcomes may be achieved.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA): A public service primarily responsible for protecting and promoting
Canada’s animal, plant and food industries. The CFIA has developed a factsheet that summarizes avian diseases,
sources of avian diseases, and biosecurity principles for avian producers.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard
Poultry Biosecurity – Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Other Canadian resources
Alberta Chicken Biosecurity Brochure
Alberta Hatching Egg Producers Visitor Parking Sign
Biosecurity ...Beyond The Basics – Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and Alberta Hatching Egg Producers
Small Flock Biosecurity – Alberta Veterinary Medical Association
Biosecurity Recommendations for Small Flock Poultry Owners - OMAFRA
For more information about biosecurity visit ABVMA biosecurity webpage
Bird Health Basics: How to Prevent and Detect Disease in Backyard Flocks and Pet Birds – Canadian
Food Inspection Agency
University of Alberta, Poultry Research Centre: The University of Alberta strives to advance the poultry
industry through research and education. Several informative videos that describe the principles of poultry biosecurity can be found on their website.
University of Alberta Poultry Research Centre
Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs (OMAFRA): OMAFRA is responsible for the food,
agriculture and rural sectors of the Canadian province of Ontario. OMAFRA has developed a factsheet for
commercial poultry producers. This website provides information on some major poultry infectious diseases, sources of infection, as well as some major components of a successful biosecurity program.
Biosecurity Recommendations for Commercial Poultry Flocks in Ontario
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): The USDA is the governing body for food, agriculture,
and natural resources in the United States of America. The USDA has developed several factsheets that
cover biosecurity basics, biosecurity for poultry, biosecurity for pet birds as well as biosecurity for wild
birds. The information pertinent to poultry may be found below:
Biosecurity for Poultry - Keeping Your Poultry Healthy
The Poultry Engineering, Economics & Management Newsletter
Auburn University, in cooperation with the U.S. Poultry & Egg Associations
Biosecurity: Your Defense Against Catastrophe
The Impact of Management on Infectious Diseases in Broilers
Environmental Management and Disease Prevention
The Responsible Use of Health Management Products for Poultry Production A Home Study
Course for Producers
FLOOD PREPAREDNESS
Having a plan for how to handle farm operations in the event of flooding may require farmers to take action
independent of any outside help. What is the flood potential to the farm? Flood plain information can be obtained from Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development – Flood Hazard Identification Program. In addition to normal flood plain information, consider the effect of high water related to heavy rains or
spring melts. A review of drainage and water runoff in the immediate area of the farm can provide producers
with additional data regarding flood potential.
Flood Disaster Detailed Information About What To Do Before, During and After Flooding – Alberta Emergency
Management
Sandbagging General Information – Emergency Management BC
Flooded Farm Vehicles and Equipment Tips on Cleaning and Reconditioning – Mississippi State University
Flooded Sewage Systems – Mississippi State University
Flood-Related Diseases in Poultry and Livestock – Mississippi State University
DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS
The drought preparedness strategy outlined in the Agriculture Drought Risk Management Plan, focuses on
year-round efforts, especially during non-drought times, to increase the level of readiness of the agricultural
community and government to respond to the next drought.
The On-Farm Water Management Program - This program provides technical assistance to agricultural producers to complete a Long-Term Water Management Plan (LTWMP), and shares the cost of related enhancements
of their on-farm water supply management.
Additional On-Farm Water Management Program information is available on-line.
Drought Preparedness and Response Strategies For Farmers - University of Wisconsin
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PREPAREDNESS
Producers should not only plan for on farm hazardous materials but consider any potential hazardous industries located in the vicinity of the farm. Consider destructive forces such as explosions, major chemical and petrochemical fires, corrosive vapors, and escaping gas. Is the farm located near railway lines that may be carrying
hazardous materials? Gas lines or petrochemical production facilities? Mining operations?
Emergency Planning, Clean-up and Handling Procedures – Environmental Manual for Alberta Farmsteads
FIRE PREPAREDNESS
This 44-page ‘Fire Smart Farm and Acreage’ magazine has numerous articles on the unique considerations and
needs of the farming and acreage community.
Fire Smart Farm and Acreage
MANURE MANAGEMENT
Manure Composting Manual – Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development
Poultry Manure Management - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Poultry Sector
LIVESTOCK MORTALITY DISPOSAL
Poultry Mortality Disposal in Alberta – Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Proper Disposal of Dead Poultry – Canada Plan Service
Livestock Mortality Burial Techniques – Government of Alberta
Poultry Mortality Composting – Government of Alberta
Livestock Mortality Management (Disposal) – Government of Alberta
RESPONSE
The response phase is the process of planning for and/or implementing the producer’s reaction to an incident
or emergency. The goals of this phase include the protection of life; ensuring safety and health of personnel
and livestock; to contain damage to farm facilities and equipment; to stabilize farm operational, service and
public image impacts of an event; and to manage and communicate information about the incident to the appropriate authorities.
Examples of actions and measures you can take in planning your farm's response to an emergency or disaster
include:
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Response procedures to minimize harm to personnel and livestock;
Incident management plans to control and mitigate damage to facilities and equipment;
A crisis management plan developed to contain farm operations, services, and public image impacts of
an event; and
Crisis communication plans to identify how information will be managed and communicated.
Examples of emergency response planning include plans for responding to natural disasters (earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, extreme winter storms, and disease-related events), man-made disasters (animal
rights activists, sabotage, strikes) and technological disasters (chemical leaks, toxic spills, hazardous contamination and environmental concerns, and equipment failures).
Incidents may cause a temporary or partial interruption of activities with limited or no farm facility damage (ex.
minor fire within the poultry barn). Alternatively, a major incident could result in severe barn damage, personnel injury, and loss of livestock, as well as extended business interruption. Most situations fall between these
extremes. However, incidents often start with a small impact and escalate in severity if not properly managed.
Response issues involve incident identification, authority notification and problem evaluation, controlled shut
downs, personnel health and safety, livestock welfare, evacuations and assembly beyond farm borders, accounting for evacuated personnel and coordination with local emergency management authorities.
RECOVERY
The recovery phase of planning is the process of restoring or replacing a damaged / destroyed barn, replacing
its contents, and implementing the coordinated movement of livestock, equipment, and other farm assets. Recovery costs may be well beyond the capabilities of the producer. Predefined asset inventory lists allow for
quick identification of lost or damaged assets. These loss or damaged asset lists will need to be provided to insurance agencies and government financial assistance programs to help offset the financial impact that producers may be faced with.
Recovery tasks for consideration:
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Ensure safety is established at any damaged facility.
Make an assessment of all damages (photos and video recordings are a valuable tool).
Record estimated salvage values for insurance claim purposes.
Determine if the facility is safe for occupation of livestock and employees
Inspect and analyze the extent of the damage to the farm facilities.
Take appropriate measures to prevent further damage and ensure site security.
For a step-by-step procedure to help producers recover from the economic impacts of a disaster and restore
farm operations to their pre-disaster condition, refer to Module I of the Emergency Management in the Farm
Sector document.
DISASTER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Alberta Emergency Management Agency (AEMA) has developed the Alberta Disaster Assistance Guidelines
(the Guidelines) for the administration of the province’s Disaster Recovery Program (DRP). Disaster Recovery
Programs are disaster financial assistance programs that can help producers return uninsurable property loss
to pre-disaster functional condition if the event meets the criteria outlined in the regulation:
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The event is considered extraordinary.
Insurance is not reasonably or readily available.
There is evidence that the event is wide spread.
For further information please refer to the Alberta Disaster Assistance Guidelines.
Disaster Recovery Program Handbook for Agricultural Operations
APPENDIX 1: 'PLANNING FOR AND RESPONDING TO DISASTERS IN
CANADA'
OVERVIEW
This section provides guidelines and explains the emergency response planning process. However, the dynamic
information needed (i.e. contact lists, task lists, asset lists, etc.) will need to be developed by the individual poultry producer.
The 'Planning for and Responding to Disasters in Canada' guide provides step-by-step procedures to assist producers in preparing individual Farm Emergency Plans. The procedure presented is based on addressing the nine
essential elements of a farm's operation.
The document also provides a set of questions for the plan developer to consider and respond to that will help
develop the more specific details of the plan. The document contains further information in the form of detailed technical fact sheets that a producer can use to customize a plan to their particular farm.
The guide also provides tables of quantity and size considerations to assist the farmer in arriving at an assessment of the particular requirements of an Emergency Response Plan for his business.
Finally, a sample Farm Emergency Plan is made available to show the user what a completed plan might look
like.
The following paragraphs outline the categories of information that the producer can find related to the nine
major elements of a farm business operation.
ELEMENT 1 - ROLES / RESPONSIBILITIES OF HOME OWNER / RURAL RESIDENT
In dealing with the first element of the producer’s farm, the guide provides information regarding the components of the operation that need to be addressed in the planning process.
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Identification of who is in charge of emergency planning and response activities on the farm
Designation of a specific individual as the Emergency Manager with a clearly defined role and specific
responsibilities
Creation of an Emergency Recovery (ER) Team that assigns roles and activities for employees, family
members and others
ELEMENT 2 – FARM ASSETS
The assistance provided in relation to dealing with the farms assets is in the form of a number of questions and
considerations that the farm owner needs to methodically review and assess with respect to creation of the
farm’s ER plan.
It is critical that each farm perform a detailed “asset inventory” as a critical activity in plan development.
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Farm site plan or drawing indicating the location of these assets;
State / maintenance levels of essential farm equipment and machinery (feeding, water, HVAC, tractors,
trucks);
Structural condition of farm buildings as to codes and farm operation needs;
A comprehensive inventory of the farm land, topography and soil types;
Current strategies for dealing with silting from floods, drought conditions, or soil erosion;
Documented normal transportation requirements, methods, and assets, including standby fuel.
ELEMENT 3 - COMMUNICATIONS
The guide provides a list of concerns, questions, and considerations regarding the communications capabilities,
facilities, and requirements of a producer’s business. The information will help the farmer during plan development to consider various aspects of their operation that may be disrupted during a disaster event.
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A basic list of the communications assets is provided (i.e. telephone, radio, television, land line and cellular phones, ham sets and network / computer connectivity);
Outline and format of a “Contact List” with a set of suggested information to be provided for each contact;
Pre-disaster event assessment of the consequences of service interruptions or extended service unavailability;
Considerations for backup systems and cost/benefit analysis considerations regarding these requirements;
ELEMENT 4 - HEALTH, SAFETY, AND FOOD
Information is provided as to how a producer can assess his or her own family's preparedness to cope with an
emergency until relief is available from outside sources. The guide provides:
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A list of content for a general family emergency plan;
A suggested list of adequate emergency supplies for the health and safety of the family and hired help
on the farm;
A list of considerations regarding food and water safety procedures, such as food spoilage/ contamination;
Water contamination / purification, as well as special food preparation and storage issues, are presented for consideration;
ELEMENT 5 – MAIN POWER, STANDBY POWER, AND OTHER ENERGY SOURCES
The producer is given suggestions for determining the existing power requirements of their home and farm
operation to determine backup generator requirements.
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A list of activities related to ensuring current farm electrical system capacity is adequate and up to
standards;
Assistance for methods of acquiring power-grid sketches and stand-by generators;
Maintenance suggestions regarding backup-system operation and training needs;
List of other possible sources of backup power.
ELEMENT 6 – WATER SUPPLIES
This section presents the producer with questions about adequacy of the rural home and farm operation, normal and emergency water supplies (where wells are located, drilled wells (deep), sand point wells (shallow),
ponds, springs, creeks, rivers, lakes, etc.);
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Direction is provided for determining the adequacy of the sources of drinkable water for human and
livestock/poultry consumption and possible alternate sources that might be considered;
Considerations regarding existing and alternate drinkable water distributed throughout the home and
farm operation;
Contingency measures for storing emergency supplies of drinkable water for human and animal consumption such as reservoirs, plastic barrels, water tanks, cisterns (underground reservoir), etc.;
Measures to consider for instating the means of purifying and testing water for human consumption;
Water supply protection and decontamination capabilities (after an emergency) that a producer should
consider including in his recovery plan.
ELEMENT 7 - HEALTH, SAFETY & FEED - PLANTS AND ANIMALS
The information presented in this publication stresses the need for a complete Farm Emergency Plan to ensure
the safety and well-being of farm animals and crops in an emergency.
In relation to farm animal care, the topics dealt with include:
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A detailed, up-to-date inventory of all livestock / poultry as well as methods for developing and maintaining this inventory;
Suggestions for development of site map drawings of the farm facilities, indicating the location of animals;
Suggestions regarding the importance of including measures in the ER Plan for assessing and dealing
with the health effects of different disasters (i.e. floods, effects of drought on livestock and poultry
(pneumonia, dehydration)) are discussed;
Guidelines to assist a producer to ensure the Farm ER Plan includes a process to access emergency veterinarian services and back-ups, and the availability of requisite amounts of adequate veterinary medicine, vitamins, and dietary supplements for the animals;
Options to be considered in plan development (i.e. strategies to ensure adequate stand-by feed and
water supplies are available or obtained for the animals) are presented for consideration;
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A sound plan for evacuating and relocating animals must be supported by an up-to-date inventory and
tagging system, as well as predetermined evacuation routes supported by maps and transportation options;
Alternate accommodation facilities need to be established and their availability and means of invoking
must be prearranged and documented in the plans.
The Canadian Farm Business Management Council provides information and advice on the following items related to Plants/Crops.
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The importance of developing and maintaining current detailed inventory of crops including stored
feed by type. The Council stresses the need for the ER Plan to include farm-site soil maps;
The plan must also include contact information to facilitate access to emergency crop specialists.
The strategies for acquisition and use of herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, irrigation, dykes, soil testing,
and alternate external sources.
ELEMENT 8 – ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE DISPOSAL WATER & MANURE
The next critical element of a producer’s operation encompasses all the components of environmental waste.
The guide provides guidelines for water and manure disposal.
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Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recommends the inclusion of disposal procedures for excess water
and manure in times of flooding, freezing or other natural disasters in the ER Plan.
Contingency planning must address the plan for maintaining an inventory and site plan, an inventory
and site plan showing all potential sources of waste water and manure, and specific identification of
waste storage facilities and where they are located. The ER Plan should ensure that all septic tanks,
covered manure storage cesspools, and holding tanks (including lagoons or pits) must be identified in
the plans.
Backup transport of manure from barn to storage to field must be arranged for and documented in the
plan.
The guide advises that an action plan to contain and clean-up an accidental spill due to normal operating conditions or a natural disaster must be documented in the farm plan as well as a set of procedures
to contain and clean-up an accidental spill due to normal operating conditions or a natural disaster.
Documented processes and procedures to affect a strategy for dealing with any hazardous materials
(pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, petroleum products-gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, etc.) is urged and
suggestions for developing these are outlined.
Procedures for contacting, interfacing with, invoking assistance from specialists in chemical/pesticide
spills as well as local, provincial or natural resources in the event of a spill or incident are also presented as critical information that will be needed at time of a disaster event.
The guide provides information on including measures in the farm’s ER Plan with respect to the development of procedures for eliminating the source, containing the spill, and cleaning up in the event of
an accident or natural disaster; basic guidelines to reduce the risk of exposure to pesticides and chemicals; code specifications for waste water disposal systems that meet the code; and safety standards for
proximity to wells, surface water, etc.
ELEMENT 9 - FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
This portion of the guide provides information that will assist farm owners / operators to develop procedures
to ensure the continuity of business management processes in the Farm ER Plan.
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The Agricultural Business Council strongly emphasizes the need for an ER Farm Plan to address the protection and backup of the equipment and records in the home and farm from the impacts of a natural
disaster such as flood or fire.
All paper and electronic documents and records, such as insurance policies, contracts, deeds, and wills,
must be backed up and duplicated in a protected and off-site location.
The producer's plan must handle the maintenance of insurance policies to ensure they are up-to-date
and cover natural hazards affecting buildings, equipment, vehicles, animals, crops, personnel, business,
disability and life, as well as business interruption insurance.
The producer’s ER Plan should include a process for an annual meeting with their insurance
agent/broker to review and update individual home and farm operation insurance needs.
Guidelines are provided for developing procedures to initiate support of local, provincial and federal
assistance programs for victims of natural disasters.
APPENDIX 2: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FUNDING
GOVERNMENT FUNDED PROGRAMS
Through Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s Growing Forward 2 funding stream, there are a multitude of programs that may help a producer in the development of emergency preparedness efforts, as well as
help to offset the cost associated with emergency preparedness planning.
Some of the programs that would be applicable to a producer’s efforts in emergency preparedness are listed
below. (Current as of Dec 2013)
ENVIRONMENTAL FARM PLAN
One program that would be a valuable tool for the development of a poultry producer’s emergency preparedness is the Environmental Farm Plan or EFP. Although the EFP is being “sold” to producers as environmental
sustainability, this program provides producers with an overall assessment of their farm operations, in turn addressing many of the mitigation (Prevention) aspects of emergency preparedness on the farmstead. Some of
the risk management issues the EFP covers that would be beneficial in the development of emergency preparedness and response plan for Alberta poultry producers are as follows: hazardous material storage and handling (pesticide, fertilizer, fuel), water sources (which would address drought mitigation strategies), manure
and composting, as well as energy efficiencies (which would address backup power).
ANIMAL HEALTH BIOSECURITY PRODUCER PROGRAM
This program helps Alberta producers determine, assess, and reduce biosecurity risks for disease in their operations through the implementation of robust biosecurity practices. To help the producer identify the gaps in
biosecurity on their farm, and provide them with ideas on projects that will help address these gaps and improve biosecurity, the Growing Forward 2 Animal Health Biosecurity Producer Program worked in partnership
with the industry to develop commodity-specific biosecurity risk assessments. Further details on this program
can be found on the ARD website.
CONFINED FEEDING OPERATION (CFO) STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
This program helps Alberta livestock operations assess their potential risk to water quality and implement
management practices or make infrastructure improvements that positively influence water quality. Further
details on this program can be found on the ARD website.
ON-FARM ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
This program shares the cost of investments that improve energy efficiency on Alberta farms. Eligible projects
include (but are not limited to):
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Construction projects that install high-efficiency equipment from the program’s Funding List
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Retrofit projects that improve the operation’s energy usage per unit of production
Installation of sub-meters to monitor on-farm electricity and/or natural gas usage
More sector-specific examples can be found on the ARD website.
ON-FARM STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM
This Program funds projects that help livestock and crop producers implement on-farm management practices
in five areas that positively impact water quality.
Program Description:
 The Growing Forward 2 On-Farm Stewardship Program helps producers implement projects and management practices that have a direct and positive impact on water quality. Funding is available in five
categories that can influence water quality. Each category has its own program application.
o Category A: Grazing Management. This includes riparian area fencing and management, summer and year-round watering systems, portable shelters or windbreaks, and wetland restoration (some specific requirements apply; contact program lead for information.)
o Category B: Manure and Livestock Facilities Management. This includes improvements to manure storage facilities, livestock facility runoff control, and livestock facility relocation.
o Category C: Improved Pest Management. This includes new purchases of low-drift nozzles and
air induction tips, sprayer cones and shrouds, chemical handling systems with jug rinse, sectional control operation system, sprayer boom height control, and weather monitoring equipment (upgrades, maintenance and replacement of existing equipment are not eligible).
o Category D: Fuel and Used Oil Storage. This includes the purchase of new double-walled fuel
tanks that are CSA or ULC approved and/or double-walled storage tanks for used oil that are
identified with an ULC-652 name plate or equivalent. For an application for fuel storage to be
accepted, at least one old fuel tank must be decommissioned.
o Category E: Innovative Stewardship Solutions. Contact a Program Lead to discuss your innovative idea prior to applying for funding.
Further details on this program can be found on the ARD website.
ON-FARM WATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
This program provides technical assistance to agricultural producers to complete a Long-Term Water Management Plan (LTWMP) and shares the cost of related enhancements of the producer’s on-farm water supply
management. The program helps producers achieve greater water security and more effective and efficient
management of their on-farm water resources, enhancing the sustainability of those resources and implementing backup water supplies for the producer’s emergency preparedness efforts.
Further details on this program can be found on the ARD website.
APPENDIX 3: READY AG DISASTER AND DEFENSE PREPAREDNESS FOR
PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE – POULTRY AND GENERAL AGRICULTURE
SECTIONS AND WORKSHEETS
This workbook is made up of a series of disaster / emergency preparedness and general planning questions
that will lead producers through the majority of functions of their agricultural operation.
By taking a critical look at each of the questions in various categories, producers can determine what should be
done to help them become better prepared for any disastrous event that could disrupt their agricultural operation.
This workbook was a multi-state collaborative project that utilized the expertise of Cooperative Extension professionals from multiple land grant universities in development of a set of disaster planning and continuity of
operations worksheets for each of the major agriculture commodities, including the poultry industry.
The Ready AG: Disaster and Defense Preparedness for Production Agriculture workbook can be accessed online
and is a valuable tool for emergency preparedness planning.
APPENDIX 4: TESTING AND PLAN MAINTENANCE
The litmus test for any emergency response plan is that it works when activated / followed during a disaster or
emergency. Documentation and periodic reviews, which result in maintenance and updating of the plan, are
reassuring, but the viability of the plan can only be proven through exercises that verify the logistics, procedures, and strategies developed within the plan.
The exercise or plan testing should be designed to determine:
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The readiness of the poultry farm;
The producer’s ability to cope with a business interruption or disaster event;
Whether the inventories, tasks, and procedures of the plan are adequate to support the resumption
and recovery of the farm’s operations; and
Whether the plans have been properly maintained and updated to reflect actual resumption and recovery needs.
The ongoing success of the plan can only be determined through a practise of continual exercise and improvement via plan maintenance. As the farm operation grows and changes (acquires new equipment, resources,
farm assets) the plan will need to be updated to accommodate those changes.