Goodwin Bradford S, Donaho John C
Center for Laboratory Animal Medicine and Care at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, Houston, TX 77030-1503, USA.
ILAR J. 2010;51(2):104-19. doi: 10.1093/ilar.51.2.104.
The goal of this article is to present lessons learned from the devastating effects of two specific natural disasters in Texas: Tropical Storm Allison, which flooded Houston in June 2001, and Hurricane Ike, which caused severe damage in Galveston in September 2008. When a disaster is predictable, good predisaster planning can help to save animals lives. However, as disasters are usually not predictable and tend not to follow a script, that plan needs to be easily adaptable and flexible. It should address all aspects of the program and include an evacuation strategy for the animals, data backup, and identification of emergency equipment such as generators and communication systems. Media communication must also be considered as the general public may become emotional about animal-related issues; adverse attention and public scrutiny can be expected if animals die. The psychological impact of the disaster on the lives of those it directly affects may require attention and accommodation in the postdisaster recovery period. Following an overview of each disaster we describe plans for recovery, impacts on research, business continuity programs, and planning and preparation strategies developed against future natural disasters. Long-term planning includes building design as an important factor in protecting both the animals and the research equipment. Lessons learned include successful responses, evaluation for improvements, and preparedness plans and procedures to guard against future disaster-related destruction or loss of facilities, research programs, and animal lives.
2001年6月淹没休斯顿的热带风暴艾莉森，以及2008年9月在加尔维斯顿造成严重破坏的飓风艾克。当灾难可预测时，良好的灾前规划有助于拯救动物生命。然而，由于灾难通常不可预测且往往不按常规发展，该计划需要易于调整且灵活。它应涵盖项目的各个方面，包括动物疏散策略、数据备份以及确定发电机和通信系统等应急设备。还必须考虑媒体沟通，因为公众可能会对与动物相关的问题产生情绪反应；如果动物死亡，可能会受到负面关注和公众审视。灾难对直接受影响者生活的心理影响在灾后恢复期可能需要关注和应对。在概述每次灾难后，我们描述了恢复计划、对研究的影响、业务连续性计划以及针对未来自然灾害制定的规划和准备策略。长期规划包括将建筑设计作为保护动物和研究设备的重要因素。吸取的经验教训包括成功应对措施、改进评估以及防范未来与灾难相关的设施、研究项目和动物生命破坏或损失的准备计划和程序。
