21824 Reed Road, Conneautville, Crawford County

On February 20, 2007 at about 1100, Mr. Alan Clark, Director, Crawford County Emergency Management Agency called my residence to place the CART Large Animal Team on stand-by. He informed me that a barn had collapsed in Beaver Twp with about 30 cows trapped. I received the message from my TAD at about 1140 and called Mr. Clark’s cell phone. He stated he would get back in about 10 minutes. At about 1150, I received a call again from Mr. Clark advising us to stand down as the Incident Commander had stated there was a Vet on the scene and that we wouldn’t be needed.

At about 1220, I received a call from Mr. Clark informing me that the Incident Commander wanted us to respond. Calls were placed to CART members for a response; Regina Martin, Jean State and Melanie Krneta were activated and were directed where and when to meet. Knowing that a considerable time had elapsed since the onset of the incident, I prepared for a recovery and not that of rescue. After gathering belts lines block and tackle and various rigging equipment, we (Regina and I) headed for the appointed place to meet up with the Team members and Mr. Clark. We were escorted to the scene and arrived at about 1325. Upon our arrival, it was observed that a rather large barn had collapsed in the center under snow load. An excavator was clearing debris and the last alive cow was being carried out on a skid loader. I sought out the Incident Commander and he directed us to the on scene Vet to assist him. The Vet needed the 5 dairy cows that were in a recovery area and were laterally recumbent to be brought up to the sternal position that they might better survive.

We applied straps to the cows and tied off to a “dead man” and pulled the cows to the sternal position. We then sought out hay to support them to keep them from returning to recumbence and kept a watchful eye on them. Their level of stress had been greatly reduced at this point. It was observed that in addition to the stressors that was presented to them, that they also sustained moderate injury. Including, but not limited to, lacerated hides, legs and throats and 1 had a probable fractured pelvis. After there was nothing more for us to do with these cows, I reported to the Vet and asked if he needed anything further, he did not. I then sought the Incident Commander out to ascertain if there was anything further needed of him, there was not and he secured us at about 1453.

End of Incident
It is not known at this time of the outcome of those cows that we assisted with.

Shortcomings:

The County EMA Director was not able to get in touch with me immediately and had I not gone into the house for coffee, I never would have received his message!

We did not have hard hats to enter the falling structure, nor did we have CART vests to identify ourselves to others!

The incident Commander was satisfied that the on scene Veterinarian was capable of handling the recovery!

Inclusive of the Conneautville Fire Chief, none of the responding Firefighters were aware that the County had an Animal Response Team and in fact were glad that we existed!

Impressions and Solutions:

I must get some sort of annunciating device to let me know of an impending activation as we operate a Rescue Farm with 183 animals and am not readily available to a phone. A cell phone for me is out due to the nature of the farm. My wife Regina has one but only has it on when she is on the road.
Mr. Clark and I will work this out.

I am not sure where the hard hats and vests are as of this writing but some need to be located and placed in my care for future responses of about 6 members!

Drs’ Tomas and Rebecca Gimenez teach at their TLAER training that the last person to be in charge of this sort of response and incident would be a Veterinarian as he or she has a different function and as such, shouldn’t multi-task!
This information and the theory of TLAER should be taught to each Volunteer Fire Department at their meetings, if they would allow it. On 2-19-07, (the night before the incident), I was invited to the County Fire Chiefs Association at Mr. Clarks suggestion and informed them of our existence and mandate. All Chiefs were not present.

An attempt should be made to speak before all of the Volunteer Fire Departments in Crawford County. This could and should no doubt be spearheaded by the Regional Coordinator, the County Coordinator and the Large Animal Coordinator, with the help aid and assistance of the County Emergency Management Agency Director, Mr. Alan Clark!

Respectfully,

David R. Allman
Large Animal Coordinator
Crawford County CART
814-425-1850

Collapsed barn, Crawford county, 2/10/07

Animal rescue, Crawford county, 2/10/07