Florida SART: Florida State Agricultural Response Team

Operation "Doggy Door"

A tornado crushes an animal shelter. Hundreds of dogs and cats are suddenly out of home and food, care and companionship. In its function as a MAC, Florida SART helps mobilize the responder community. On April 28th just such a practice scenario was played out in Leon and Wakulla Counties. More ... Dozens of volunteers and government agencies, the University of Florida VETS team and groups such as Big Bend DART got involved and learned about MIM or Mobile Information Management Technology.<< Back

Controversial Bird Flu Study is published

The study says, "Highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza A viruses occasionally infect humans, but currently do not transmit efficiently among humans." The study also notes that with a small tweak here and a careful alteration there, this can change. Should this study have been published? More ... The editors at Nature say "yes" and in the May issue they give the study a complete and controversial airing. So, is Florida prepared or does that depend on the meaning of "prepare"?<< Back

In an Emergency … Thinking about Panic

An article in Scientific American highlights three things about public reaction in a disaster:
1. In disasters, people are more likely to be killed by compassion than competition. They often tarry to help friends or family members [or pets]. More ...
2. When a crisis hits in a crowded place, people often undergo a shift, identifying themselves more as group members than individuals.
3. Emergency planners can help ordinary people act as "first responders" by giving them practical information as the situation unfolds.<< Back