Written protocols should be in place and reviewed annually with your veterinarian and employees to ensure that certain procedures are carried out appropriately.

Goals:

To identify when an emergency situation may be likely, ensure quick and effective responses to an emergency, and minimize the impact of an emergency wherever possible.

How to assess:

Review the emergency action/response protocol to confirm that the following information is included and that appropriate criteria are being met:

Dairy Well

• Emergency contact information for the farm owner, manager, VOR, and local fire department is posted prominently​
• Fire extinguishers are available and accessible
• Animals must have permanent IDs
• Signed by VOR

A template is provided as a guideline; farms may write their own as long as minimum content is met.

National Dairy FARM Program

• Contact information for emergency services and contacts (including the owner, vet, milk handler, equipment dealers, and power company), and the site address must be posted in a prominently in languages understood by the employees
• Each animal must be permanently identified
• Permanent, easily accessible drug treatment records must be maintained

National Dairy FARM Program

• A written plan for emergencies, facilities repair, and maintenance must exist
• A written emergency contact sheet must be posted and readily accessible by employees including:
  • Key farm contact names
  • Local emergency personnel
  • Herd veterinarian
  • Farm location and directions
• Farm must have an emergency action plan that employees are trained on
• Farm must have a permanent animal identification plan in place