Model framework and principles of emergency management

If not handled quickly and effectively, animal health emergencies can create significant problems for governments and industry. Placing strong emphasis on preventing a disease incursion in the first instance through the judicious use of quarantine and inspection measures will continue to be the major preventive strategy. However, the discovery of new and emerging diseases, some of which may already be present in a country or region, necessitates a rigorous emergency outbreak response mechanism premised on thorough preparation for an emergency. A generic approach to emergency management is the contemporary answer to preparing far, and dealing with, unpredictable events. In essence, generic emergency management plans encompass a set of core principles and key issues which are relevant to a particular industry or commodity. These principles and issues are then reflected in a model emergency management plan which guides participants through the various stages of preparing for, and responding to, an emergency situation and which forms the basis of more detailed farm/enterprise manuals and individual job cards. The authors illustrate the integrated nature of the model emergency management plan and the interrelationship with the core principles and key issues of emergency management planning.