This is what we have been up to lately

 

	Driver and Handler Training  9/19/2011 11:48:02 AM  On September 10, Sumter Disaster Animal Response Team held it's first Drivers and Handlers course at our facility in Bushnell, FL. Procedures for paperwork, Load Masters responsibilities, Drivers responsibilites, and how we handle ourselves were covered. Connie Brooks, Ronnie Graves,and Consie VonGontard were all trainers for the day. Thank you to all that attended and we look forward to working with each and every one of you to fine tune the skills required to rescue as many as we can.
Thanks to ALL  7/27/2011 3:48:22 PM  I want to take the time to personally thank all of the wonderful people who have made our deployment possible to help the oiled wildlife. I know I can't name all of you but I would like to mention some. The crew from Bay Area Dart and their leader Connie Brooks. Without them, we could never have made this possible. Pam Burns for tirelessly working on scheduling issues, Laura and JT for bringing their big rig in when mine needed to be elsewhere. All of the other Sumter DART members that are too numerous to list, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!!!. For the most part, you've all made us look very professional and like we actually know what we're doing. There is no place for cowboys amongst us and I know we've stepped up to prove there are none. The University of Florida's vet's Emergency response team has deployed a truck, trailer, and a team mate to Louisiana also. I can't forget my wife either. She's stepped right up and taken the reins at our business and our home while I'm away and has had to take care of all of our animals too. My employee Daniel Hickey for taking care of the equipment and getting it ready. I would also like to Thank Carmen, Beth, and Resee and Rejina from US Fish and Wildlife These ladies have been tireless in guiding us through the needed efforts to make this happen.
Alabama Tornadoes April 2011  7/27/2011 3:47:13 PM  Connie Brooks, the Executive Director of Sumter DART, was requested by Laura Bevan from the HSUS to travel to Tuscaloosa Alabama and assess the needs for a temporary Animal Shelter last night. They are travelling by car today to see what the needs are. Once the local EOC requests our assistance, we will roll into action with shelter equipment and transport rigs to help.
	Our New Transporter - Beagle 2 -  7/27/2011 7:48:24 AM  This is our latest addition to our fleet of transporters. This is a Brand New leftover 2007 SportChassis truck with a 2008 Pace American 44' trailer. 4 AC/Heat systems, 2 Intake powered roof vents, 4 Exhaust fans mounted in the floor to exhaust bad air out. E Track along both walls for either strapping or shelving to secure varying sized kennels in. We topped it all off by adding a 20KW Power Technologies Diesel generator on the truck controlling the electrical needs of the trailer and additional outlets on board the truck. Next, we will be adding 184 Gallons of water and building a bathroom and shower on board the trailer plus adding a hydraulic landing gear set on the front.
Canadian Puppy Mill  7/27/2011 7:14:09 AM  Sumter DART was requested by the Humane Society International to assist in a 545 dog Puppy Mill seizure in Quebec. The Loving Friends Transport loaded up over 500 airline crates and was dispatched to Montreal. Other supplies were taken to assist in the catch and control and sheltering of the dogs. Connie Brooks went as the shelter manager and had to set up a temporary shelter to house and take care of the dogs. Once the transport was over, the truck and trailer returned to Florida just in time to go transport tigers from Texas to Florida. What an exciting year we have had. Bay Area DART members are still on the ground in Canada and will remain onsite to help the animals until they can be adopted or transported out to other shelters where they can find a home
What an adventure  7/26/2011 6:31:46 PM  Sumter DART was involved in a very unique transport last week. We got to be one of the transport vehicles to move the birds from Ft Jackson La, to Hammond, La where a brand new rehab facility has just been completed. We got to be involved in moving over 350 birds at once. Working with the folks at US FWS, Tri State and IBRRC has been such a rewarding experience. Getting to be involved will go down as one of the highlights in my life of rescuing animals.
	16 Birds Released that Sumter DART transported   7/26/2011 6:29:52 PM  In the early morning hours of July 28th 2010, Ronnie Graves and Angela Shields rolled into the rehab facility in Hammond Louisiana and picked up 14 birds to be released. We then continued on to LSU in Baton Rouge to pick up two more at the vets school. We then proceeded to drive to Grand Chenier to the Roosevelt Wildlife Refuge to meet with the Louisiana Wildlife personnel. They were so nice. They invited us to be included in releasing some of the birds. Basically, they allowed us to open the kennel doors. Who would've thought that one could get so excited just opening a door. The birds walked out then flew to freedom. Some sat around on the pier just looking around before taking off but they all eventually flew away. BEAUTIFUL.
Oil Response Transport  7/26/2011 6:28:57 PM  Working within the system can be challenging. First, all of our people have to have ICS 100, 200, and 700 completed and an additional course from BP. Some of us have had to take the 24 hour HazWopper course. All of our command level staff have gone on to get ICS 300, and 400. Those are a lot tougher than the first ones. All of us have to keep in mind that this is a huge challange and IF we follow the ICS protocols, it will become easier. Sometimes, just remembering how to fill out the paperwork can be daunting but it is all needed. Gone are the days of just running in to help on your own. We've never done that but a few groups still try and they get turned away. Our team has placed 8 transport vans, 3 pickups and trailers, one big Freightliner and trailer into this fight to help keep the wildlife safe and sound. We are adding another Freightliner and trailer in a week or so. Around 20 people are now involved on a daily basis. Working with the Fish and Wildlife people has for the most part been very good.
Oil Response 3  7/26/2011 5:59:19 PM  Our teams have increased to 4 vehicles and 6 members with another two vehicles and 4 members going in tomorrow. We are working diligently to assist in the relief efforts. I wish we could talk more about our work but media security is very tight. I'm hoping someday to post photos. Any Wildlife and Bird Rescuers that want to respond, please email us. We would love it if you had the 24 hour hazwopper course but we may be able to use you even if you don't. Drivers are also needed that can handle vans and also Pickup trucks and trailers. Semi drivers are also needed. Please understand that outside donations of Dawn dishwashing liquid are not being allowed. There is no way to guarantee that something other than Dawn isn't in the bottle so they are accepting it only from the manufacturer. Donations to Sumter DART are being accepted and appreciated very much. We are a 501(c)3 Not for profit and your funding will go towards equipment needed to respond to disasters just like this. Thank you very much and have a nice day. .
Oil Spill Response 2  7/26/2011 5:53:22 PM  We have now placed 4 teams into the Alabama and Florida region to assist with the transportation of the affected wildlife.