The UK Emergency Management System team received a grant for LADDER: Local Approach to Discussion-Based

Disaster Exercises and Readiness, a unique project that offers emergency management,

Extension educators and other stakeholders a low-cost, low-technology “exercise-in-a-box” to

incorporate into their exercise schedule, allowing communities to identify ways to become more

resilient. Franklin County Extension is a partner in this pilot project.

The project goal is to engage whole community stakeholders in discussion-based exercises to

improve disaster preparedness involving animals. Few resources exist to facilitate exercises that

test local disaster response to animal issues. 

Accomplishment of the project goal and supporting objectives will be

achieved through developing, evaluating and publishing peer-reviewed, research-based exercise

materials and engage preparedness stakeholders to build upon existing EDEN resources.

Exercise materials will be tested in locations reflective of rural communities across the nation.

Using pilot-testing feedback, revisions to the initial product will be made. A soft launch

engaging EDEN delegates will evaluate the product prior to hard launch. Participants will

conduct interdisciplinary assessment of emergency operations plans for disasters affecting

animals, gap identification, and improvement plan creation. Upon conclusion of the project, the

project team will engage Extension and emergency management professionals through a

network of existing organizations to facilitate local emergency managers’ ability to meet the full

spectrum of local preparedness needs.