Reserve Vet Corps Information

For more information email the Reserve Vet Corps Program
or call 360-902-1889

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Andrea Schneider

The Mission of WSDA Reserve Veterinary Corps (RVC) is to assist the WSDA Animal Health Program in the event of a livestock or companion animal health emergency such as a Foreign Animal Disease (FAD) outbreak or a natural disaster. Members may assist with animal care and treatment, evacuation, vaccination, specimen collection, decontamination, euthanasia, necropsy, collection of epidemiological information, as well as public education and outreach. The WSDA RVC program provides the training and credentials to veterinarians as well as other health professionals that are necessary to support the State of Washington in an animal and/or public health emergency response.

This program is designed for veterinarians, veterinary technicians and other animal health professionals. Non-animal related skills are also sought, such as foreign language proficiency, first responder/law enforcement experience, as well as public health or military experience.

Members will have access to free and interesting continuing education opportunities. RVC member skills benefit not only the state, but also local communities. RVC members may be asked to participate as credentialed responders during a state animal health emergency. Per Diem and stipend support may be available for selective training opportunities. Training opportunities have included Foreign Animal Disease Response, Foreign Animal Disease-Practitioner training, Incident Command System, Hazardous Materials Awareness, tabletop exercises, and response scenarios.

RVC members are expected to complete Incident Command System training (ICS 100, 200 and NIMS 700), which can be accomplished on-line (links below) State and Federal disaster responses are organized using ICS. The Incident Command System allows responders to fully integrate into the response and it is critical that all RVC members understand how the system works and where they fit into any disaster deployment. Each course is supposed to take less than 3 hours to complete.

FEMA

When deployed or at RVC sponsored trainings or activities, Reserve Veterinary Corps members represent the Washington State Department of Agriculture. As such, members will need to sign and abide by a basic code of conduct. When deployed, members will be hired as temporary, intermittent WSDA employees. In the event of an animal health emergency, we hope members would be available to assist in the capacity as an RVC member; however, accepting a request for deployment is strictly voluntary. Participation is strictly voluntary and members may leave the program at any time.

Other than the ICS requirement, no other formal training is mandatory.

Reserve Veterinary Corp Agreement and Code of Conduct(42.74 KB)

Application for Reserve Veterinary Corp(37.66 KB)

Incident Command Systems Training - 100(external site)

Incident Command Systems Training - 200(external site)

NIMS 700(external site)

NIMS 800(external site)