Dave Allman arranged a training session for West Mead #2 Firefighters and the Crawford County Animal Response Team to give information on how to handle horses in case of a barn fire during Fair Week.

Attendees learned how to halter and lead a horse, being careful not to allow any part of the lead to wrap around any body part. They learned how to put up the portable round pen which CART has for emergency containment of animals, which will be kept on the Fair grounds during Fair week.

The commands most understood by horses and most usable during a fire were discussed, which were: walk, back, and whoa.

The Firefighters were then invited to evacuate four horses (a quarter horse, a standardbred and 2 Percherons), in a dark barn full of smoke using the special halters made by Dave Allman which have no hardware to secure and which fits all size horses. The Firefighters, dressed in full fire gear, removed the horses from the smoky barn and handed them off to CART volunteers who used the round pen for containment. This was done several times to give all Firefighters a chance to practice. Lights and sirens were used to simulate the confusion and action that takes place during a real fire.

Attending were:
West Mead #2 Firefighters
Ken Carr, Crawford County Fair Horse and Pony Coordinator
Morris Waid, Crawford County Commissioner and Crawford County Fair President
Roger Williams, Crawford County Commissioner
Merle Wolfgang, Humane Society of N/W PA
Sally Addington, Venango CART

CART members present were:
Dave Allman
Regina Martin
Dr. Karen Martin
Dawn Smith
Nancy Apple
Jean State
Jim Myers
Debbie Myers