Source:  Ann Bagel Storck, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 6/18/09

The Pork Checkoff recently unveiled a new emergency action plan tool to help pork producers prepare for floods, fires and other unexpected events.

The Web-based tool, which can be found at eap.pork.org, guides producers through the planning and documenting of an emergency response plan. Users are instructed to log in, describe their operations and consider various situations that can put a farm's employees, animals or facilities at risk. Additionally, users are required to think about and describe the resources — including people, equipment and locations — that can be of use in case disaster strikes.

"Having the foresight to prepare a plan and share it with all the people in the operation ensures that everyone knows what the expected outcome is and how to achieve it," said Liz Wagstrom, assistant vice president for the Pork Checkoff. "We foresee pork producers sharing printed version of their plans also with emergency responders, for example, so the rescue team knows what, who and where available resources can be found."

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