We’ve talked before about NDART and the importance of making plans for your pet in case of disaster. Now you can become a volunteer, helping other people and pets right here in the Portland area.

Multnomah County Office of Emergency Management and Multnomah County Animal Services are launching a pilot program designed to identify, train, and credential volunteers to support the rescue and care efforts for animals in the event of a disaster.

The first class is FREE and taught by Dr. Bob Grist. It’ll be on June 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Multnomah Building Boardroom, just over on SE Hawthorne. According to the description, the course is intended to increase awareness and preparedness among animal owners, care providers and others, and includes sections on typical hazards, how these affect animals and what can be done by responsible owners to reduce the impact of disasters.

And here’s some info on the Portland Regional Plan for Animals in Disaster:

Planning for animals in a disaster became a national priority with the signing into law of the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act of 2006. In 2007, city and county emergency managers, county animal services agencies, non-profit animal welfare organizations, veterinarians, state officials, the American Red Cross and concerned citizens joined together to create a regional planning group to address the needs of animals—and their owners—in the event of an emergency or disaster.

The goal of this regional effort has been to develop a regional plan for animals that incorporates individual county emergency plans, supplements the regional emergency operations plan, and dovetails with the state plan for animals in disaster. The plan outlines how the region will collaborate in the preparation, response, and recovery in an emergency. The plan defines roles and responsibilities, identifies resources, and establishes a Concept of Operations for the two pronged mission of: 1) Animal rescue and transportation; and, 2) Animal shelter and care.

If you’re interested in registering for this special training, e-mail Dr. Bob Grist at bob.grist@co.multnomah.or.us.