Global Dashboard asks hard questions about whether communities and systems are resilient enough to survive catastrophes. But I don’t think we’ve ever asked this, taken from a website for people who run laboratories:
How Can I Prepare My Animal-Research Lab for an Earthquake?
Reader Question: I am new to California and recently felt the ground shake for the first time. My colleagues seem to take it lightly and say I shouldn’t be concerned about mild tremors, but I think I should have my animal-research lab prepared for the possibility of a serious earthquake. How do I go about that?
Expert Comments:
In California and other areas at risk, earthquake preparedness is a key component of safety training. The Principal Investigator is responsible for ensuring that all laboratory staff members are adequately trained to protect themselves and the animals in their care.
A disaster plan, directed by the attending veterinarian, should be in place, covering proper food storage, electrical system backup and other preparations to safeguard animals in the aftermath of an earthquake. The plan should address what happens once buildings can be re-entered or in situations when they cannot be safely re-entered.
There must be clear instructions on how to humanely secure animals undergoing procedures when an evacuation becomes necessary. For example, no laboratory animal should leave the building in an evacuation. Animals should always be returned to their cages unless there is an immediate threat to human safety.
If an animal is undergoing surgery when an evacuation becomes necessary, good judgment must be used in deciding how to safely end the procedure or whether euthanasia is necessary.
Yep, I can absolutely imagine staff diligently guiding their lab rats back to their cages during a major earthquake. And the thoughtful discussions of whether euthanasia is an option for little Frodo the Laboratory Gerbil while the tremors hit… or maybe not. Face it, cute animals, when catastrophe comes you’re on your own.
