Practical scenarios put those skills to the test. Participants conducted a simulated water rescue, extracting a horse dummy from a mud entrapment, and completed a capstone exercise using a donated horse trailer configured to simulate a rollover with a horse trapped inside and in a void space beneath it.
Jacksonville's size and geography mean JFRD responds to a wide range of emergencies, including those involving large animals. This training ensures that when those calls come in, whether on a rural property, a farm, or a busy highway, personnel have the tools and knowledge to protect both the animals and the people involved.
"As someone who works in the fire service and cares for large animals at home, I know how quickly an animal emergency can become dangerous for everyone involved, the animal, the owner, and the responders,” said Engineer Blackburn. “This training gives our team the knowledge and confidence to make a real difference when those calls come in."
"If your animal is in trouble, please call 911 right away. Don't wait and don't try to handle it alone. There are trained responders and veterinary resources ready to help and getting that help started early is what makes the difference for the animal and everyone on scene," said Brandi Phillips, Animal Technical Rescue Branch Director, University of Florida Veterinary Emergency Treatment Service.
Animal Technical Rescue joins a range of specialized capabilities maintained by JFRD's Special Operations Team, which prepares for low-frequency, high-consequence emergencies, ensuring the department is prepared for whatever the community faces.
