Issued: 24 April 2024
The WA Emergency Animal Disease Veterinary Reserve is intended to support the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s (DPIRD) veterinary workforce by building skills and understanding of an emergency response.
The first intake of 22 non-government vets is currently being mentored by the department’s animal biosecurity and welfare team.
Applicants for a further 25 spots will soon be invited to join the EAD Veterinary Reserve and commence training mid-year.
DPIRD Acting Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Diana Turpin said the year-long training program included a two-day workshop, on-line meetings and self-paced coursework covering various aspects of an emergency animal disease response.
“The training focuses on the current biosecurity climate, legislation, area control principles and incident control centre operations,” Dr Turpin said.
“The reserve vets are expected to be available to contribute to an emergency animal disease response for a period of two years after completing their training.”
Veterinary Reserve participants are paid to complete 45 hours of training over the course of 12 months.
Dr Turpin said World Vet Day (27 April) was a great opportunity to recognise the work of government and private vets in preparing for an emergency animal disease and safeguard WA’s primary industries.
‘We are currently working with a talented cohort of vets who are at various stages of their career and have a shared commitment to step in if there is a major animal disease outbreak in WA,” Dr Turpin said.
‘In an emergency response, the department could call on trained non-government vets to assist with vital surveillance activities and taking samples for diagnostics purposes.’
Interested applicants for the EAD Veterinary Reserve are encouraged to email Simon.Hollamby@DPIRD.wa.gov.au
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