The goals of protecting animal welfare, preserving financial well-being, meeting sustainability goals, and being a responsible member of the community are all advanced with sound fire prevention and safety practices. These have been, and remain, top priorities for U.S. egg producers.

USPOULTRY, working with UEP, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Milk Producers Federation, the National Pork Producers Council and the National Association of SARA Title III Program Officials (NASSTPO), has released the first in a series of videos that introduces farmers and ranchers to basic fire prevention and safety measures, including how to properly engage with local emergency planning and response professionals. UEP and animal agriculture groups have formed a solid and productive working relationship with NASSTPO to help protect farms and ranches, families and workers, the animals in their care, and fire safety professionals.

When the video was released, Tim Gablehouse, president of NASTTPO, remarked, “This video is a good start into enhancing the safety of those emergency response personnel unfamiliar with farming and ranching operations. Likewise, it can help to close a gap between emergency planning and response professionals and the public. We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues in agriculture to further broaden this educational tool and improve safety for responders, farmers and the public.”

UEP’s Animal Welfare Committee has made it a priority to examine fire prevention and safety matters in layer operations. The UEP Fire Mitigation Task Force is exploring what is known about fires at layer houses and possible best practices to prevent fires and significantly reduce damage when they occur.

The Task Force will provide the Animal Welfare Committee with a set of recommendations as the first step in the UEP Committee and Board review process. Please contact UEP staff if you have any questions about this video or wish to learn more about the work of the Fire Mitigation Task Force.