Fires are dangerous anywhere, but on the farm they pose unique perils for animals and their owners. Toxic fumes can kill or cause permanent lung damage. Panicked animals behave unpredictably or refuse to respond to normal handling approaches. They may trap themselves and their rescuers in a rapidly spreading fire.
Work with your local fire department to minimize fire risk on your farm. Formulate an emergency fire plan and practice it regularly with family members and employees. Likewise, conduct periodic fire safety inspections. (See the fact sheet "Fire Prevention and Safety on the Farm.") Above all, remember that your first priority should always be human safety-and that includes you.
PRIORITIESPeople have been seriously injured or killed when trying to save animals, grain or equipment on their farms. They forget that smoke and toxic fumes can kill them in seconds.
a)
The exact location of your farm.
b)
The extent and location of the fire.
c)
The color of smoke coming from the burning structure(s).
For example: "A lot of black smoke is coming from the
back of the vehicle storage building." This helps firefighters
know what materials are burning and what materials they
need to fight the fire.
d)
Anything else the dispatcher requests. Stay on the line
until the dispatcher is through collecting all the necessary
information.
Livestock evacuation is very risky business. If fire or smoke is significant within an animal building, the danger is generally too great to risk your own life. Some considerations include:
If animals have suffered from heat, smoke inhalation or burns, get a veterinarian to examine and treat them immediately. If possible, spray water on animals to cool them.
Some animals may need to be destroyed. According to meat safety laws in Wisconsin, animals that have died from fire (or any means other than slaughter) are automatically condemned and cannot be sold for food. Injured animals need state certification from a veterinarian before they can be sold for slaughter. For more information, call the Meat Inspection and Safety Bureau at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection at (608) 266-2227.
Additional resources:
Your local fire department, your county agricultural agent, the National Fire Protection Association
Related publications:
"Fire Control in Livestock Buildings," (NRAES 39), the Northeast Regional
Disclaimer and Reproduction Information: Information in NASD does not represent NIOSH policy. Information included in NASD appears by permission of the author and/or copyright holder. More