BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — For many people, pets are like family, and during a natural disaster, getting pets out safely is a major concern. Although it's not quite fire season yet, it's never too early to start preparing, and the nonprofit Central California Animal Disaster Team, which specializes in pet safety during emergencies, is doing just that.
"For people to feel like they can leave, they need to know that there's a place where their animals can go," explained Jeff Kermode, the public information officer for CCADT.
Kermode continues, saying that CCADT's overall goal is not just to care for pets during an emergency, but also to ease some of the stress for first responders. The team operates in 7 counties across the state, and has assisted in 42 wildfires since its inception.
According to Kermode, the nonprofit operates an annual training program in order to gain more volunteers.
"Hazards, awareness, and safety training for volunteers. We will train our volunteers on evacuation and what the different evacuation terms mean," said Kermode.
Kermode says volunteers in the training program will also learn how to quickly set up an animal shelter, as well as how to handle certain pets. According to Kermode, the program usually takes place over the winter months so volunteers can be prepared for wildfire season.
Captain Andrew Freeborn with the Kern County Fire Department says they too have been preparing for the upcoming fire season.
"We're making sure that fire access roads are maintained and are able to be traveled by large equipment. We have our heavy equipment operators along the roadways putting in fuel breaks. We have our hand crews that are out chopping up vegetation," said Freeborn.
According to Freeborn, KCFD doesn't know when or where fires will occur, so it's important to always stay prepared. Along with creating an evacuation plan, Freeborn advises residents with animals to practice evacuating with those animals to reduce the chances of making rash decisions.
"This is what has to be practiced right now, because when individuals are stressed, animals are stressed as well, and it becomes dangerous to just transport those animals if things have not been thought through in advance and planned accordingly," said Freeborn.
Both Freeborn and Kermode say they understand the value a pet holds in a family. Kermode says seeing communities come together in tough times and being able to help families is the reason he does this work.
"The sense of relief you see on people's faces when they see their animals are cared for," said Kermode, "that's what we're in it for."
The Central California Animal Disaster Team's volunteer training event will take place Saturday and Sunday, April 15 and 16, at the Kern County Sheriff's Office on Norris Road in Bakersfield. There are currently 35 people registered for the event. To register, please visit the Central California Animal Disaster Team's website.
