|
Veterinary medical evaluation, triage, monitoring
and treatment
Medical evaluation and monitoring of each animal
throughout the rehabilitation process is integral to the
success
of the wildlife response. Each animal is given a physical
exam upon admission to the rehabilitation facility. The
packed
cell volume and total proteins in the animal's blood are
evaluated, as well as weight and general behavior.
IBRRC standard medical protocols will be followed
as the animals require additional treatment. Euthanasia of
severely injured or suffering non-endangered or non-threatened
animals will be performed by trained IBRRC personnel.
The lead veterinarian will direct all medical
care and coordinate the handling and treatment of the animals
with the rehabilitation coordinator. IBRRC will work with
and coordinate volunteer veterinarians and medical assistants
as needed. IBRRC will organize and arrange interactions with
laboratories, local veterinary hospitals and medical supply
companies as appropriate.
Triage decisions will be based on established
IBRRC protocols and all triage will be approved by state and
federal agencies. The RP will be informed of all triage decisions
prior to triage being performed.
Wildlife dietary planning, preparation, support
IBRRC will follow established wildlife diets and
feeding protocols. Food supplies such as frozen fish or bags
of prepared animal diets will be located and obtained by IBRRC
personnel.
Pre-release medical/physical evaluation
Each animal is monitored throughout its stay at
the facility. Our medical staff will follow IBRRC's established
release criteria when evaluating each animal for potential
release.
Post-release studies & follow-up (when applicable)
All birds are federally banded prior to release. As time and
resources permit, IBRRC will work with researchers, agencies
and others to develop appropriate post-release studies. IBRRC
will report all post-release recoveries to the RP as they
are discovered.
Volunteer/work force recruitment, training, management
IBRRC will direct all aspects of volunteer recruitment,
training and management. It will work with the RP to establish
a hotline for volunteers. IBRRC's volunteer coordinator will
provide the initial orientation for volunteers. Following
orientation, the volunteers are briefed by IBRRC's safety
officer. The briefing consists of a review of the site safety
plan for that facility, OSHA safety requirements, a review
of the appropriate material safety data sheet (MSDS), and
proper training for the use and disposal of personal protective
equipment (PPE). The orientation and safety briefing typically
lasts one hour. Volunteers are then issued PPE and a copy
of IBRRC's Volunteer Manual, which contains all the information
that is presented in the orientation.
IBRRC requires volunteers to sign a liability release form,
which explains they are responsible for their own welfare
as they choose to be there. This however will not serve as
a true release form. The RP or federal or state agency which
is taking the lead on the spill is also expected to provide
each volunteer with a release form.
Volunteers are supervised and receive on-the-job training
throughout the day by IBRRC staff members. Volunteer food
and drinks are procured by IBRRC, but are the financial responsibility
of the RP.
Public affairs and media contact
IBRRC will make contact with the RP's public information
officer (PIO) within the first 24 hours of notification. IBRRC
requests that the RP's PIO stay in close contact with IBRRC's
PIO and remain on the premises when the media is touring the
facility. IBRRC will participate with the media through interviews,
rehabilitation center tours, and other avenues as requested.
IBRRC's PIO will organize media requests by establishing press
times throughout the day. Usually two or three press conferences
will occur early into the spill, when news interest is highest.
IBRRC will provide the RP with daily reports.
Documentation, cost tracking, misc.
IBRRC's financial officer will communicate with
the RP (as requested) to provide daily expense estimates.
Daily activities are logged and will be incorporated into
a final report for the RP. In the event of a spill affecting
a large number of animals, an additional report covering the
rehabilitation program, its achievements and results, will
be produced and made available for public dissemination.
Species of wildlife that IBRRC will treat
IBRRC holds the appropriate state and federal
permits that allows us to rehabilitate oiled wildlife within
each region of the United States. IBRRC will rehabilitate
all bird species, terrestrial mammals, freshwater aquatic
mammals and all reptiles. Marine mammals and sea otters will
be rehabilitated through the appropriate rehabilitation organizations
permitted and dedicated to the rehabilitation of these species.
In some cases these organizations may subcontract with IBRRC.
|
