Learning to execute the Kansas animal health emergency plan and identifying existing gaps were the goals of Invisible Fire, an emergency preparedness exercise conducted in locations across the state Sept. 22-24, 2014. The exercise included emergency personnel in Clay, Riley, Pottawatomie and Lyon counties as well as members of the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) emergency management team and the Division of Animal Health.

Over 150 individuals participated in the exercise, which was based on the confirmation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in Kansas.

Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Jackie McClaskey said the exercise provided valuable experience for the agency and all stakeholders. “We have a responsibility to be prepared to respond to an incident that could have significant economic effect upon our state’s largest industry,” McClaskey said. “That includes making sure our local partners also understand and can effectively respond in the case of an animal health emergency.”

KDA continuously works with local emergency preparedness officials to develop and improve emergency response plans. KDA Emergency Management Director Sandy Johnson provides opportunities for county officials to develop appropriate local-level responses to function within the larger, state-wide agricultural emergency response plan.

“A response to an agricultural emergency is completely different to the emergencies and disasters that happen regularly in Kansas. Fortunately, we don’t get practice with “real” events, so it is important that we continue to plan, train and exercise on a regular basis,” Johnson said.

The KDA Division of Animal Health has been working with more than 50 stakeholders from a variety of agencies including the Kansas Department of Transportation, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, Kansas Emergency Management and other state agencies as well as state agricultural associations and others to refine plans and ensure collaboration and continuity of business for the livestock industry should a highly contagious disease outbreak occur in the U.S.