national animal health emergency response corps

United States Department of AgricultureAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service

NationalNational Animal Health Emergency Animal Health Emergency Response CorpsResponse Corps

Thomas CunninghamThomas CunninghamNAHERC CoordinatorNAHERC Coordinator USDA APHIS EMDUSDA APHIS EMD

(301) 734-4933(301) 734-4933


NAHERC is part of the emergency response arm of USDA APHIS. The NAHERC can be utilized in

response to an exotic disease outbreak and other disasters effecting livestock, poultry, companion

animals, and wildlife assuring a decisive response to any potential animal health crises to protect both

animals and people.

National Animal Health Emergency Response Corps.


What is NAHERC?

• In 2001, APHIS established NAHERC to respond to exotic disease outbreaks and other disasters that affect livestock, poultry, companion animals, wildlife, and food defense.

• More veterinarians and animal health technicians are urgently needed to assure a decisive response to any potential animal health crisis (all-hazard) or food defense action.

• NAHERC is a salaried emergency response agency

• When an animal health emergency occurs APHIS will look to NAHERC to help meet critical staffing surge & sustainment needs during such an emergency.


NAHERC Deployments:

145 deployed to the UK in 2001.


71 deployed to the Low Pathogen Avian Influenza Task Force in Virginia, in 2002.


340 NAHERC personnel deployed to the Exotic Newcastle Disease outbreak in California in 2003.

http://www.csiro.au/index.asp?type=faq&id=NewcastleDiseaseVirus


NAHERC Role:

- SURGE To supplement State and Federal veterinarians

- SUSTAINMENT Phased deployment of NAHERC staff to the incident scene for the duration until demobilization occurs


NAHERC Projected Needs:• Estimates place the number of non-State or Federal VMOs needed, in the event of a wide scale FMD outbreak in the US, at between 1,000 and 6,000

• 1,214 individuals have officially applied on the USAJOBS website since June 2007

• 791 NAHERC members have qualified for deployment – 5/09

337 VMO’s 454 AHT’s


NAHERC Recruitment:

• Veterinarians in Private Practice, industry & Universities

• Veterinarians Semi & Retired

• Veterinarian Technicians

• Veterinarian Students


NAHERC Positions:

• VMO’s: Veterinary Medical Officers. A valid veterinary diploma is required. Accreditation or active state license is not currently required.

• AHT’s: Animal Health Technicians. Diploma or certification required.

• Veterinary Students may be hired to AHT positions under the Student Temporary Appointment authority.


Future:

a. ISU training site (NAHERC only)b. Establishment of the NVTFc. Forming FEMA regional teamsd. Continue national veterinary recruitmente. Establish of veterinary University teamsf. Continued participation with animal health

emergency management agencies and groups


To learn more or to apply:

To learn more go to:

http://naherc.aphis.usda.gov

To apply go to:

www.usajobs.gov

• Click on : “Search Jobs”

• Insert “NAHERC” in “Keyword search” box

• Follow the instructions on the announcement

http://naherc.aphis.usda.gov/

http://www.usajobs.gov/


Thomas CunninghamAnimal and Plant Health Inspection Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture301.734.4933

[email protected]

national animal health emergency response corps

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