The recent severe weather and flooding experienced throughout the state impacted not only Michiganders but also their farms and livestock. In the wake of these events, a specialized trailer built and outfitted through the Emergency Response for Accidents Involving Livestock (ERAIL) Program, a program developed by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Michigan State University Extension (MSU Extension), was deployed to help local emergency responders manage incidents on farms, including the recent response to a dairy farm hit by a tornado in Montcalm County.
“While every farm-related emergency presents its own unique needs and challenges, it is impossible to effectively manage these events without equipping first responders with the appropriate tools and training,” said Brad Deacon, MDARD’s Emergency Management and Administrative Law Coordinator. “At MDARD, we are proud to see exactly how the bipartisan investments we have made in the ERAIL Program are making an impact in local communities. The difference made by having access to this specialized equipment and knowledge of how to properly use it are crucial for animal welfare and first responder safety.”
The ERAIL Program is a comprehensive training and response program spearheaded by MSU Extension in partnership with MDARD and with additional support from the Michigan Pork Producers Association, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Michigan Commercial Beekeepers Association, and Michigan Beekeepers Association.
Through a grant of over $460,000, MDARD helps fund trainings with hands-on learning opportunities for local first responders and expands the fleet of fully stocked, specialized ERAIL emergency response trailers available throughout the state—all with the purpose of ensuring communities have the necessary tools to assist with any emergency involving livestock.
As a result, when tornadoes touched down in mid-Michigan, an ERAIL trailer was available to assist with the aftermath. A trailer was deployed to the area to support efforts of locating and corralling loose livestock as well as managing injuries and mortalities.
“The preparedness efforts spearheaded by MSU Extension and MDARD are critical for our farming communities when unplanned events happen,” said Ron Bates, MSU Extension Agriculture and Agribusiness Institute Director. “The real heroes were the neighboring farmers and community members who rallied around the family to provide support and care for the animals. It is our goal in MSU Extension to provide ongoing support to the farm and community as needed.”
To date, nine ERAIL trailers have been placed around the state in Berrien, Branch, Gratiot, Jackson, Lapeer, Marquette, Midland, Monroe, and Otsego counties. The investment in ERAIL protects animal health and welfare, response personnel, and the general public during these complex incidents.
Farmers need to have specific resources at their fingertips when emergencies strike. The trailers and educational opportunities offered through the ERAIL Program are one way to provide these resources. Safer animals and communities begin with fully investing in preparedness.
For more information on the ERAIL program, please visit the
ERAIL Program page on MSU Extension’s website and view
MDARD’s video.
The Michigan State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division (MSP/EMHSD) activated the Joint Information Center as the source of State of Michigan information dissemination related to the current State Emergency Operations Center activation. For more information, visit
Michigan.gov/AprilStorms, sign up to receive
MSP and SEOC news releases and follow MSP/EMHSD on
Facebook and
X.
For tips on how to prepare before, during and after an emergency or disaster, visit
MIReady.
