First Responders: Preparation Not Perspiration

Reduce stress by making it easier to find things in your vehicle. Arrange the same equipment in
the same place for every vehicle.

Reduce noise by securing all equipment in the vehicle from excess rattling. Also install a noise
barrier to minimize the sound of barking dogs.
Tools to have when handling potentially aggressive animals:
* Smartphone in protection case, Bluetooth earpiece, Vehicle cell phone charger
1 Speed dial an expert
2 Identify your location
3 Locate colleagues at a glance: Apple’s “Find My Friends” app. Foursquare , and a free app called Banjo
which connects to your Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare and Gowalla accounts, simply sends you
notification on iOS or Android, when a co-worker is within the radius distance to you that you have
specified.
4 Universal translator
5 Apps for bird calls and animals sounds http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/trappedducklings-in-windsor-saved-by-cellphone-app-1.1379938
* LED flashlight with multiple brightness levels to perform various tasks such as checking an animal tag,
reading documents in dark places, or using the highest level brightness to see across the street. I choose
flashlights that are waterproof, and I choose lights that accept common non rechargeable batteries
because I can get them anywhere.
* headlamp for hands free work
* various nets (Cage net, Hammock net, Magnum net, Little Dandy) for safe capture and handling
* extension poles
* dog restraint poles
* Leash pole
* leashes
* paramedic scissors
* screw driver set
* pliers
* various crow bars
* pry bars
* nail extractor
* hammer
* shovel
* bolt cutter
* wire cutter
* saw
* tree saw
* ladder
* stuffed sock or soft throw weights (to toss rope over tree limbs)
* cat carriers
* wildlife carriers
* bird carriers
* bat carriers
* snake carriers
* graspers (various lengths)
* snake tongs
* 5 foot lengths of separated household wire
* 25 feet of rope
* 20 feet of smaller cord approx. ¼ “ to lift out animals that have fallen into places such as pipes and
between building walls
* duct tape
* towels
* blankets
* plastic round letter opener for removing string and fishing that have entangled an animal or bird.
* telescoping/ folding inspection mirror
* binoculars
* 1 litre of water to give to an animal or rinse something off
* canned dog and cat food
* baking flour to check for paw prints
* extra batteries with ends taped to prevent the metal from discharging
* large tarp can be used as a make shift stretcher or backup for catching an animal during a rescue.
* backpack and equipment clips
Personal Safety:
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3151.html
* Safety glasses and shield full face protectors to prevent birds (such as anhinga or blue heron) that
could target your eyes as they might mistake them for shiny fish
*“respirator cartridge mask” with suitable filters
https://multimedia.3m.com/mws/media/565214O/3m-cartridge-filter-guide-and-brochure.pdf
* environmental suits
* hand sanitizer
* puncture resistant gloves such as Kevlar type
*heavy duty water proof work gloves
* boot ice spikes for traction in winter
* safety rubber boots (steel toe and shank)
* reflective outer wear
* whistle
* ear plugs for when there is a barking dog in the truck or when I am in a noisy kennel. Ear plugs can
also help to reduce my daily stress level. I use foam ear plugs which can be adjusted so you can still
hear.
Entering a hoarder's house:
http://vet.tufts.edu/hoarding/public-health/
Stay clean and safe in dirty places:
Cat hoarding:
1) Survey exterior of house to know what I am dealing with and determine if I need to call for
backup, decide what tools I will need, and choose approach to take with the resident.
2) Enter premise quietly, secure all windows and exits to contain cats for their safety.
3) Rescue cats that are in need of urgent medical care. Then rescue cooperative cats.
4) Use nets to gently and safely remove other cats that are hard to catch. Look for hiding cats
behind fridge, kitchen cupboards even when doors closed, below kitchen sink where pipes enter
the wall (if hole is big enough for cats to enter, then look in wall), bed box spring, and drop
ceilings.
5) Place bowls of water for remaining hiding cats.
Set traps within view of a window or mail slot in order to monitor easily from the outside.
Dust the floor with baking flour to detect footprints of hiding and hard to trap cats.
Peter Freeman, Product Developer/President
[email protected]
www.freemanbydesign.com