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Berks CART

Because it can happen here

Before Hurricane Katrina made most of the country pay attention to the terrible possibilities a disaster could bring to animals and their caretakers, the HSBC was working to prepare for the worst.  In 2005, the Humane Society of Berks County was appointed to be the lead agency to undertake the creation of the first Animal Response Team for Berks County (Berks CART). Berks CART is a local extension of the State Animal Response Team for Pennsylvania (PA SART). These Animal Response Teams are public/private/non-profit partnerships intended to provide the volunteers, resources, organization, and financial commitment needed to plan for and respond to disaster of all types and sizes impacting animals in our state and county.

Berks CART has already been activated three times since its formation: Once for a massive cruelty case involving hundreds of dogs in Chester County, to respond to the massive flooding of the summer of 2006 (rescued cats pictured above), and to assist pet owners during the 07/08 ice storms. Berks CART volunteers also joined in the rescue effort along the Gulf coast following Hurricane Katrina.

Download a flyer outlining important emergency preparedness information here.

How you can help:

Volunteering:

Berks CART needs volunteers to assist with animal rescue efforts for small animals, farm animals, and horses, as well as planning and logistics, public relations, veterinary services, and resource coordination. There are individual committees for each of these areas and training available.  Apply to volunteer online by clicking here. Learn about volunteer training requirements and online training by clicking here.

Resource Donations:

While active volunteers are important, the Berks CART also needs space to house animals in emergencies, vehicles to transport animals, portable kennels, veterinary support, heavy equipment, and more. These resources need to be lined up in advance of an emergency to allow for rapid response.

Financial Support:

Effective emergency response starts with strong first responder organizations. By supporting the Humane Society of Berks County financially, you help to ensure that we can provide the direction and coordination needed for emergencies of all sizes. Please consider making a gift today in support of the Berks CART, the PetNet emergency foster program, 24 hour injured emergency animal ambulance services, and all the other important services and program provided by the HSBC.  The HSBC would not be able to provide CART support without the leadership provided by PA SART.  Consider supporting PA SART financially, as well. Click here to link to pasart.org.

Contact Officer Tomas Chwatek at 610-921-2348, extension 26, or at tchwatek@berkshumane.org for more information about how you can help.

Download the Berks CART brochure PDF, which includes the volunteer registration form, by clicking on the image (right).

2010 Training Calendar: Click here to download PDF

CART volunteer training requirements

Berks CART and PA SART have adopted specific training and background check requirements, to ensure the qualifications and safety of our volunteers. 

• All volunteers are required to provide a Pennsylvania State Police criminal background check prior to be allowed to volunteer with Berks CART (details below). 
• All Berks CART volunteers are expected to complete several National Incident Management System (NIMS) courses, available at no cost online.  New volunteers must have these courses completed within six to twelve months of becoming a CART volunteer. 
• All active volunteers are expected to participate in the Berks EMA Total Visibility Program.  Details will be provided directly to volunteers.

Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Background Check

All Berks CART volunteers are required to provide a PSP criminal background check.  There is a $10 charge to the volunteer.  It is a very quick and easy online process (click here to go to the site).  Once the background check is received, forward it to Tomas Chwatek, HSBC CART Coordinator.  NO CART volunteer will be allowed to participate without this check.  If you have received a PSP check in the last 12 months for employment of some other reason, that check may be used. 

NIMS Training

Because of Berks CART's official status as an emergency response organization, there are several qualifications all Berks CART volunteers must complete in order to serve the people and animals of Berks County during an emergency.  FEMA, with assistance from State and local agencies developed the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS) to ensure that all emergency responders understand the basic framework in which they work, so that a coordinated, effective and efficient response is achieved.  Berks CART volunteers are required to take just a few of these basic courses, but we encourage you to take as many as you’d like – a little education goes a long way.  All the listed courses are available online – we all work for a living, and we know sitting through a four-hour class on hazardous materials isn’t everybody’s idea of an evening well-spent.  You can complete these courses at your leisure, and FEMA even allows you to save your progress at certain points, so that you don’t have to accomplish a course in one sitting.

Click here for the FEMA Independent Study Program

This will get you started – FEMA’s Virtual Campus is the gateway through which you’ll sign up for courses, save your progress, and receive your certifications.  There’s an “about” link on the left side of the page that will give you some great information on NIMS and ICS courses.

The following courses are required for all Berks CART volunteers:

IS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System

Introduces the Incident Command System (ICS) and provides the foundation for higher level ICS training. This course describes the history, features and principles, and organizational structure of the Incident Command System. It also explains the relationship between ICS and the National Incident Management System (NIMS).

IS-5.a: An Introduction to Hazardous Materials

This Independent Study course is intended to provide a general introduction to hazardous materials that can serve as a foundation for more specific studies in the future. The course has five Units which are outlined below. No prior knowledge of the subject is required or assumed.

IS-200: Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents

Designed to enable personnel to operate efficiently during an incident or event within the Incident Command System (ICS). ICS-200 provides training on and resources for personnel who are likely to assume a supervisory position within the ICS.

IS-800.A: National Response Plan, An Introduction

The National Response Plan, or NRP, describes how the Federal Government will work in concert with State, local, and tribal governments and the private sector to respond to disasters.

Each of the courses above is a self-study program divided into chapters with a review at the end of each chapter.  Upon completion of the study portion, you will take a final examination.  If you receive a passing grade (and don’t be intimidated – this is common sense stuff) you’ll be mailed a certificate.  We need to keep all volunteer certification on file here at HSBC, so you’ll have to fax or mail a copy of the certificate to the HSBC or bring it into the shelter in person.  If you have any questions about the courses, or if you’re having trouble signing up, please don’t hesitate to contact HSBC Internal CART Coordinator, Officer Tomas Chwatek at tchwatek@berkshumane.org or 610-921-2348, ext. 26, and he’ll assist you.