Radiological incidents — such as nuclear power plant accidents, nuclear detonations, or attacks involving radiological materials — have the potential to cause high-impact, mass casualty emergencies. Responding to these events requires extensive coordination and collaboration among experts from multiple disciplines. Public health, emergency management, health care, radiation control, and professionals in animal and agricultural sectors are among the many groups essential to mounting an effective response.
To strengthen this multidisciplinary approach, NARR invited the National Alliance for State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs (NASAAEP) to join the coalition. This addition brings valuable animal and agricultural expertise that was previously unrepresented in NARR.
This blog post explores who NASAAEP is, why including animal expertise is critical to radiation readiness, and the unique insights and resources NASAAEP contributes.
In a related newscast episode, Kathy Jorgensen, a board member of NASAAEP, discusses why it’s essential to account for animals in all emergency planning efforts.