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Dr. Richard Crawford - Bio
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Phone: 417-466-2148
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Email: crawfordr@missouri.edu

Biosecurity Basics

Have You Heard of an Emergency Mailbox?

An emergency mailbox is simply a regular mailbox designated to hold critical information for emergency first responders - including law enforcement officials, fire fighters and other emergency rescue personnel. This information comes from EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network).

If you have not already done so, install a weatherproof emergency mailbox in an inconspicuous place near one of your agricultural buildings. Preferably this location will be located away from toxins, flammables and explosives. Be sure to tell first responders where your emergency mailbox is located. Clearly mark the mailbox with the words "Emergency Information."

Many of the preparedness forms provided in your biosecurity plan should be stored in your emergency mailbox.

This includes information such as phone lists, maps of your operation, list of building contents, current chemical inventory logs and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).

What Does it Mean for Your Operation?

Biosecurity can have different meanings, depending on your area of concern. When talking about livestock, biosecurity typically refers to things youdo to keep your animals free of disease.

Biosecurity plans done on the farm level are usually referred to as biosecurity or biocontainment measures. Biosecurity measures prevent the spread of disease between farms or groups of animals.

There are three primary goals of biosecurity measures. They are isolation, traffic control and sanitation. When effectively managed, these goals meet the principle biosecurity objectives of preventing or minimizing cross-contamination of body fluids (feces, urine, etc.) between animals, animals to feed and animals to equipment.

Minimum Biosecurity Measures

• Visitors

Visitors should avoid livestock areas, pens and barns unless absolutely necessary.

• Vehicles

Park vehicles on paved or concrete areas that are away from production sites on farm to avoid contact with durt, mud, or manure. If this is not possible, be certain that tires are free of dirt and debris by hosing the tires and wheel wells before leaving the premises. If this does not clean the tires adequately; take the vehicle to a pressure car wash.

• Wash Hands!

Wash hands with soap and water or an antibacterial gel before entering and after leaving the premises to avoid transmitting disease agents from person to person.

Signs of Serious Disease!

The following is a list of signs that could be symptoms of serious Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD):

• Sudden, unexplained death loss in the herd.
• Severe illness affeting a high percentage of animals.
• Blistering around an animal's mouth, nose, teats or hooves.
• Unusual ticks or maggots.
• Large numbers of animals suddenly going off feed.
• Central nervous system disorder that causes an animal to stagger or fall.

Post Address Numbers and Safety Signage

In the event of an explosion, chemical spill, natural disaster or agroterrorism event, first responders will need to rapidly locate your premises. Unfortunately, addresses on many rural route mailboxes are missing, too small to read, or have faded over time, which leaves them illegible in the dark.

To make certain that first responders can locate your property, your street address should be boldly displayed on the mailbox or on a durable post at all entrance lanes. You should be able to easily read the address from both sides of the road, and at night, so the numbers should be at least three inches tall and made of reflective material. One thing to keep in mind – you should position numbers high enough to be seen over plowed and drifted snow.

EDEN (Extension Disaster Education Network) also recommends that safety signs on buildings and containers should be clearly visible to first responders. Therefore, you should replace all faded or damaged signs. If you have not already done so, install hazardous materials placards on buildings, especially if the buildings contain flammable or explosive chemicals and motorized vehicles. Post appropriate warning signs on fuel, pesticide, and chemical drums and containers. Durable signage with standard safety colors and symbols may be ordered from select sign shops and over the internet.

TIP

Schedule a meeting with your insurance agent to review your insurance coverage. After 9-11, some insurance carriers amended their policies to exclude acts of terrorism. Verify your coverage!

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