2023-09-05 15:51:00
In the event of a disaster, such as a fire or a flood, the priority of the emergency services remains the care of humans. These crises also affect animals to varying degrees. In order to also take this aspect into account, including from the crisis anticipation phase, the governor of the province of Luxembourg, Olivier Schmitz, signed a partnership agreement on Tuesday with the “Veterinarians-urgentists Rescue & Catastrophe” (VUSC).
This structure is made up of around twenty veterinarians active in Wallonia, specifically trained and ready to intervene in the event of a disaster. These veterinarians carrying out these missions in addition to their daily work.
In support of firefighters and police
“Crisis management must also go through partners whose job it is to bring added value to our disciplines, explains Governor Olivier Schmitz. As we have already done with radio amateur representatives, we are now including veterinarians in this crisis management process.”
Clearly identified veterinarians but who will act in support and under the supervision of the disciplines that are the fire brigade, the police, the services of the governor or the mayor in the event of an incident at the local level.
“It is very important to know each other before it is necessary”, adds Hugues Guyot, veterinarian, professor at the University of Liège and coordinator of this VUSC cell. Professor Guyot also oversees additional university training in emergency veterinary medicine
The province of Luxembourg is the second province, following Walloon Brabant, to sign an agreement in this context. If the agreement is signed by the governor, the objective is also to initiate dialogue outside of a provincial phase. Especially on a daily basis with the police and the rescue zone. The VUSC cell also acts independently of agreement, as during the floods of July 2021 in the province of Liège. It can also only be activated by official authorities or 112 services.
This unit can fulfill several missions (read elsewhere).
Fear of having to abandon your animal
But his intervention can help human management.
“One of the reasons that can lead a person not to respect the injunctions to have to leave home is in concerns of knowing what will become of their petsays Olivier Schmitz. Having to leave home is the most unnatural process there is. Being able to count on the presence of your animal represents a positive psychological factor.”
The presence of emergency veterinarians can also help relieve the emergency services. “Knowing that the veterinarian is also there will reassure the population.”, complete Hugues Guyot.
Following the signing of this agreement, the various emergency plans will now consider the intervention of veterinarians. Including in castastophe exercises carried out at regular intervals to test crisis management.
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