Mississippi Animal Response Team (MART)
Get Involved with the Mississippi Animal Response Team (MART)
When disasters strike, the impact reaches beyond people alone. Animals are an important part of our families, communities, agricultural industry, and economy.
The Mississippi Board of Animal Health recognizes that animal and human needs are interconnected and cannot be addressed separately. Effective disaster preparedness and response must include both.
MART brings together individuals with an interest in animals, agriculture, and emergency response to help Mississippi communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
Whether responding to hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, or other emergencies, MART members help ensure animal-related needs are considered an essential part of the larger emergency response effort.
Interested in becoming a MART member? It’s easy. Here’s how to get started!
Step 1: Complete the Registration
You may complete the MART Registration Form online. The form includes the Code of Conduct agreement, so there is nothing to mail back.
Step 2: Complete Required FEMA Training
All MART members are required to complete three free online Incident Command System (ICS) courses. These courses introduce the nationally recognized framework used by emergency responders and organizations to coordinate effectively during disasters.
The required courses are:
- IS-100.c – Introduction to the Incident Command System: Learn the fundamentals of the Incident Command System (ICS), including its history, principles, organization, and role in emergency response.
https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-100.c&lang= - IS-200.c – Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response: Build on your ICS knowledge and learn how personnel can effectively manage resources and responsibilities during an incident.
https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-200.c&lang= - IS-700.b – An Introduction to the National Incident Management System (NIMS): Explore the nationwide framework that helps government agencies, private organizations, and nonprofit groups work together during emergencies.
https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-700.b&lang=
Step 3: Submit Your Certificates
Once you complete each course, email a copy of your certificate to the MART Coordinator. Keep a personal copy of your certificates for your records. A training binder is a great way to keep everything organized!
Additional Training Opportunities
Want to build on your emergency response knowledge? The following training opportunities are encouraged:
- CPR Certification
- FEMA IS-10.a – Animals in Disasters: Awareness and Preparedness
https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-10.a&lang= - FEMA IS-11.a – Animals in Disasters: Community Planning
https://training.fema.gov/programs/independent-study/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-11.a&lang=
Additional training and educational opportunities will be shared with MART members throughout the year.
For questions about membership, training, or getting involved with MART, contact:
Beth Adcock, MART Coordinator
Mississippi Board of Animal Health
P.O. Box 3889
Jackson, MS 39207
Email: beth@mdac.ms.gov
Phone: 769-798-3137