SAVEM's Role
In response to an Emergency incident where SAVEM’s veterinary expertise is required, SAVEM is Activated by Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA). PIRSA leads the Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Support Group in the South Australian State Emergency Management Plan (the SEMP). After briefings and clearance by the Control Agency (the SA Country Fire Service for bushfire) SAVEM is deployed into the incident ground according to the terms and conditions required by the Control Agency. We collaborate with other similarly accredited agencies, such as the RSPCA, to respond to animal welfare issues in-field, and on request will support and assist PIRSA’s veterinary officers in incidents involving livestock.
What we can do
- Our Operations teams will work to retrieve, triage, treat, shelter and return animals to their owners. Arrangements will be made for animals needing longer term veterinary treatment or rehabilitation; animals that are unidentified or animals whose owners cannot be identified or located.
- Our Planning teams will collate information from the field and plan to be one step ahead to meet the needs of field Operations teams.
- Our Logistics teams will resource the needs of the operation – in readiness for deployment and during the response once the presence of Tier 2 responders is permitted by the Control Agency.
- SAVEM’s volunteer veterinarians and veterinary nurses include practitioners with specialised skills to treat companion animals, wildlife, horses and livestock.
The Organisation is saving a lot of lives during the Bushfire, click here to donate or volunteer.