Summary: The Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) is the agency that oversees the Maryland Emergency Preparedness Program (MEPP). The plan references pets and disaster planning, recognizing the need for mass care services for household pets and service animals in one emergency support functions (ESF), and the need to provide a framework and protective actions for animals in ESF #16.
Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) implements the Maryland Emergency Preparedness Program (MEPP). The State of Maryland Response Operations Plan (SROP) includes information on disaster planning and animals. This and other publications can be found at http://mema.maryland.gov/Pages/publications.aspx.
The following are some excerpts from the SROM that reference pets and disaster planning in Maryland:
Page 87 of the pdf:
Emergency Support Function #6: Mass Care, Sheltering, Feeding, Housing and Emergency Assistance – Manages and coordinates the delivery of mass care to include sheltering, feeding, and emergency first aid and welfare information for victims. Provides for temporary housing, food, clothing, and special human services including case management, crisis counseling, and support for special needs populations. Ensures coordination of mass care services for household pets and service animals with ESF #16 –Agriculture and Animal Welfare.
Page 88 of the pdf:
Emergency Support Function #16: Agriculture and Animal Welfare – Provides a framework that facilitates the response to emergencies that affect agriculture, food, and animals. Recommends protective actions for animals.