Author Archives: Neil

Moving forward collaboratively…

Posted on 07/10/2022 by Neil

This week, BARTA brought together a variety of agencies and experts who deal with incidents involving animals, whether single animal focussed or wide scale community events affecting multiple people and animals. Jim Green, BARTA Director of Operations said, “This is the first time we have had such a diverse range of agencies discussing their organisational response to animal incidents. Understanding their priorities and exploring how we can support each other collaboratively will directly benefit people and animals. There are clear concerns that the animal component of human emergencies and animal specific issues will develop in response to emerging climate driven emergencies and we are right to be having conversations now about preparedness and resilience. BARTA are committed to encouraging and facilitating debate and seeking practical, evidence based solutions for our responders. I’d like to thank all the agencies who attended … Continue reading →

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ESS 2022 Thank You!

Posted on 23/09/2022 by Neil

We’ve just returned from a tremendous two days with our BARTA family exhibiting at Emergency Services Show at the NEC, Birmingham. Supported by Tony Ward at Requip and joined by all those in our BARTA family to promote what we all do, we would just like to say a huge thank to our team and all those visitors to the show for taking the time to speak to us on our stand. We’re really looking forward to developing the connections that we made and we hope to see you all again soon!

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Spotlight on our People – Nicola Housby-Skeggs

Posted on 22/08/2022 by Neil

Many of you will have met Nicky, when you have attended our courses. Nicky also led the collaboration between veterinary experts to produce the veterinary prompt. As our chairperson she oversees the strategy, governance and key financial decisions of BARTA. Nicky is running for election to the BEVA council, if you are eligible we know she would appreciate your vote! Here is a link to her: BEVA statement What inspired you to get involved with BARTA? I started my career in the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and the veterinary responder course was considered essential learning prior to starting any equine veterinary job. There are few courses that genuinely shift your understanding and approach to cases or situations; however, the veterinary responder course did this for me and has fundamentally influenced how I have approached emergencies throughout my career. The Army … Continue reading →

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New Animal Emergency Incident Management Network

Posted on 30/06/2022 by Neil

A strategic focus for animal emergency incident management in Australia and New Zealand is the primary aim for a new organisation, the Animal Emergency Incident Management Network (AEIMN ANZ) Professor Josh Slater, BARTA Director and Chair of the new group, said “this will advance all aspects of incident management involving animals, including research, policy, education, planning, safety, and practices to improve animal welfare outcomes” David King, ESM, the Vice-Chair, said, “The organisation brings together veterinarians, emergency responders and policymakers to develop and promote safer practices at incidents involving domestic animals.” ‘It is a unique opportunity for responders to incidents involving domestic animals to share experiences and to learn from each other”. Guidelines for Large Animal Rescue Operations are now published through AFAC, the equivalent of our National Fire Chiefs Council. This guideline details operational practices that member agencies should consider … Continue reading →

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BARTA Working Groups Gather…

Posted on 13/05/2022 by Neil

This month specialists from the veterinary and emergency services came together once again to agree best practice solutions to issues surrounding incidents involving animals. The large animal group focussed on lifting animals for rescue or medical suspension.  The type and availability of suitable lifting devices varies within rescue organisations and sometimes the most suitable solution may not come from within the organisation. Clear understanding of the problem is required, to make the right choices. Current practices were evaluated in order to support judgements for selection of device or method, based on informed situational awareness and the casualty centred rescue. Additionally, areas for development were identified and discussions had with equipment manufacturers around improvements that would promote safety or patient care. Next steps will be to create visual resources to help Team Leaders with training and decision making. National Operational Guidance … Continue reading →

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We’ve been busy training!

Posted on 01/04/2022 by Neil

It has been a busy start to 2022 for BARTA and the next few months do not seem to be any less packed! Our team have been working across the UK and in the first 3 months provided training to over 200 responders from the veterinary and emergency service communities. We’ve embedded our Incidents Involving Animals – Initial Level training into the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service online learning platform, therefore becoming the underpinning knowledge for all their operational personnel and forming a thread throughout subsequent training levels for large animal rescue. This year we have 75 newly trained fire and rescue service Large Animal Rescue Responders (AR2), many who will also experience our Livestock and Equine Handling course over the next few months. In March we welcomed 12 new Team Leaders (AR3) to our wider BARTA … Continue reading →

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HRH The Princess Royal Opens Training Centre

Posted on 24/12/2021 by Neil

At an event to celebrate the partnership between BARTA and The Horse Trust in supporting emergency responders to deal effectively with incidents involving animals, HRH The Princess Royal formally opened our new training centre in Buckinghamshire. Firefighters from seven fire and rescue services, all members of the National Fire Chiefs Council Animal Rescue Practitioners Forum, demonstrated animal rescue techniques during a simulated road incident involving a trapped and loose horse and an injured dog. Police and National Highways Traffic Officers supported the incident scenario along with veterinarians and equine transport professionals. During the visit, members of BARTA’s stakeholder working groups demonstrated the range of resources being developed to assist responders in carrying out their role and described how the collaborative nature of BARTA brings together all relevant industries to share knowledge and create standardised policies and procedures. A high percentage … Continue reading →

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Increased Risk of Deer Collisions…

Posted on 02/11/2021 by Neil

Warning of an increased risk of deer collisions as clocks go back. National Highways and the British Deer Society are warning drivers to be extra vigilant for deer on or near roads after the clocks went back this weekend. There is a substantial increase in deer vehicle collisions from October to December. Poorer driving conditions and fewer hours of daylight, coupled with the annual breeding season (the rut) for red, sika and fallow deer make this a high-risk time of year. Research over the years by the DeerAware campaign has also found that the risk increases after the clocks change at the end of October. This is because drivers find themselves more likely to be on the road when deer are most active from sunset to midnight and the hours shortly before and after sunrise. National Highways Head of Road … Continue reading →

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DVSA Campaign – Whatever you’re towing, make it SAFE

Posted on 28/06/2021 by Neil

BARTA are pleased to support the National Towing Working Group DVSA campaign in helping you stay safe on our roads. Got a spare 15 minutes this weekend? If haven’t towed for a while, it’s a good idea to check everything on your horsebox, caravan or trailer is still in workingorder by asking yourself these questions: S – has it been Serviced recently? A – have you got enough Air in your tyres? Check pressure, tread depth and condition.F – have you Fitted the breakaway cable or safety chain and checked electrical connections and cables?E – what are your lights looking like, have you Examined them properly? Check load and weight limit, mirrors and do the jockey wheel test before you travel. Find out more at: www.gov.uk/guidance/tow-a-trailer-with-a-car-safety-checks Go to the National Trailer & Towing Association website to see where you can … Continue reading →

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Team Leaders Learning About Equine Transport

Posted on 19/05/2021 by Neil

Another week of Large Animal Rescue Team Leader training at our Horse Trust training facility in Buckinghamshire. Thanks to all the team for making it a huge success. Dealing with horses in distress and in danger can be extremely challenging for emergency responders. Knowing what to do and who to call is critical to a successful and safe resolution for human and horse. BARTA training for fire and rescue service team leaders explores strategies employed when horses are loose or trapped. When problems occur on the road network, establishing who can provide transport and in a timely fashion is crucial to the plan. BARTA Director, Jim Green, in his operational role as an animal rescue specialist with the fire and rescue service, has first hand experience of the effectiveness of PRP Rescue. “I recently attended an incident where a pony … Continue reading →

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