Hazard Animals - Developed and maintained by the NFCC
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Hazard
Animals
Developed and maintained by the NFCCContents
Hazard - Animals ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Control measure - Understand animal behaviour ......................................................................... 4
Control measure - Contain or avoid animals .................................................................................. 6
Control measure - Specialist advice: Animals .................................................................................. 7
Control measure - Rescue or evacuate animals .............................................................................. 9
Control measure - Personal protective equipment (PPE) ............................................................ 10
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 2 of 12Hazard - Animals
Hazard Knowledge
Encountering animals or insects may result in personnel from the fire and rescue service, other
emergency services and agencies being unable to deliver operational plans effectively; any
resultant delay may cause the incident to deteriorate.
Fire service engagement with animals at incidents may include:
Trapped animals requiring release or evacuation from an area
Animals contained in buildings threatened by fire
Loose and stray animals, including animals emerging from concealed areas and fleeing across
paths, roads or waterways
For the purposes of this guidance, the term ‘animals’ refers to:
Wild animals
Domesticated animals
Livestock
Reptiles
Arachnids
Insects
Members of the public endangering themselves in an attempt to rescue an animal and how they
behave if they see an animal in distress should be considered when evaluating tactical plans.
Domesticated and non-domesticated animals or insects could be encountered in any environment
while conducting fire service operations. Animals may be encountered at any incident but are
especially likely at:
Farms
Veterinary facilities
Boarding kennels and catteries
Equine facilities – see supplementary information
Zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks – see supplementary information
Circuses
Laboratories
Abattoirs
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 3 of 12This hazard could also apply to semi-captive animals, such as bees that are kept in hives.
The possible consequences to responders from contact with animals include:
Crush injuries
Puncture wounds
Abrasions, cuts and bruising
Bites and stings
Infection and disease
In a laboratory environment, the infections and diseases may not be restricted to those normally
carried by animals.
Personnel should be aware that dogs, including guard dogs, whether trained or untrained, may act
unpredictably, especially if frightened by fire or of the large number of people and vehicles arriving
at the site. Incident commanders should consider defensive tactics until any dogs are removed or
contained.
Flood survivors may have pets and animals that need to be dealt with during the follow-on rescue
effort. The RSPCA has a flood rescue capability and will be able to provide advice and assistance
when dealing with animals.
Large numbers of dead animals may become a public health hazard if not properly managed.
Control measure - Understand animal behaviour
Control measure knowledge
When approaching animals, or working where animals are present, personnel need to understand
animal instinct and behaviour. When feeling threatened and fearful, animals resort to natural
instinct and have defence mechanisms that may cause unwanted or unpredictable behaviour, such
as panic and flight or aggression.
The reaction of an animal to a perceived threat will differ, depending on:
The species of animal
The nature of the entrapment or perceived threat
Levels of stimulation
Operational activity
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 4 of 12Environmental conditions
Failure to understand and anticipate the behaviour of animals may pose a risk to life, an immediate
threat to safety and have a negative impact on implementing the tactical plan. It may also restrict or
block access, egress and escape routes for personnel and vehicles.
The behaviour of frightened, trapped or stressed animals may be unpredictable, especially if they
are protecting their territory or young.
Animals can be affected by the sound or sight of the incident including flashing lights on appliances
and the sounding of audible warning devices; these may cause animals to panic or stampede.
Some livestock are inquisitive and may move towards the scene of activity, however, any sudden
movement or noise could start a stampede.
Strategic actions
Fire and rescue services should:
Ensure that information about animals, where held in a permanent location, is included in
Site-Specific Risk Information (SSRI)
Consider providing personnel with access to specialist information on animals
Ensure personnel have a basic level of awareness of animal behaviour
Consider providing personnel with the means of controlling animals and insects where their
presence may hamper rescue operations
Ensure that personnel are aware of mechanisms for animal containment (e.g. corralling,
herding etc.)
Tactical actions
Incident commanders should:
Consider the impact of operational activity and equipment noise on animal behaviour
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 5 of 12Turn off lights, beacons and audible warning devices where possible, to prevent agitating
animals
Monitor and assess onsite activity involving animals that could impact fire and rescue service
personnel
Control measure - Contain or avoid animals
Control measure knowledge
Consider isolating the animals or insects, where appropriate, to prevent exposure or injury to fire
and rescue service personnel, other agencies and the casualty.
Fire and rescue personnel should always try to avoid any animals that may be present at a wildfire
incident. If they cannot be avoided, animals should ideally be kept under control and/or separated
from operational responders and members of the public. Personnel should be aware that loose
animals, particularly in smoke, may present an immediate and unforeseen hazard.
If it is necessary to enter an area where animals are kept, take advice from on-site staff and close
gates, cages or pens where possible.
Assistance may be provided by:
• Animal owners or handlers
• Animal welfare charities
• Veterinary surgeons and nurses
• Farmworkers
• Zookeepers
These specialists may be able to give advice on animal behaviour, handle the animals correctly or
sedate them if required.
As a precaution, it may be necessary to seek the assistance of the police, especially if they are
required to deal with an animal that escapes.
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 6 of 12Strategic actions
Tactical actions
Incident commanders should:
Identify and communicate the presence of animals and any associated risk to responders and
the public
Contain animals or isolate crews using existing or improvised barriers
Consider alternative routes if access or egress is obstructed by the presence of animals or
insects
Ensure personnel do not touch or handle animals unless unavoidable
Consider contingency arrangements if personnel may become isolated in areas where
animals present a risk
Control measure - Specialist advice: Animals
Control measure knowledge
Assistance from owners or keepers should be sought if appropriate, or consider other agencies
such as animal welfare charities. In particular, consider issues arising from the presence of animals
or insects such as the risk of infection or disease and their implications on casualty care.
Consider requesting advice and support from animal specialists including:
• Animal owners
• Land owners
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 7 of 12• Farmers
• Land managers
• Responsible persons
• Animal rescue/behaviour specialists
• Fire and rescue service animal rescue specialists
• Veterinary practices
• Animal welfare charities
• Defra
• Local authority animal health inspectors
Where the facilities contain dangerous animals, fire and rescue personnel should liaise with on-site
staff to determine locations with potential hazards and to identify safe access and egress routes.
Fire and rescue service personnel should be accompanied by on-site staff and there should not be
any unsupervised working.
Animals should be secured so that they cannot come into contact with fire and rescue service
personnel.
Fire and rescue service personnel should remain vigilant, especially regarding the security
arrangements in animal facilities, to prevent them from being accidentally locked in cages or other
areas. For further information refer to Hazard: Security features.
On-site CCTV can be used to support monitoring the animal facility, and assessing any activity that
could impact on fire and rescue service personnel.
The responsible person may be able to provide information about antidotes, antivenom or
specialist treatment, in case this is required. See also National Operational Guidance: Operations -
Manage risk from biological hazards
Strategic actions
Fire and rescue services should:
Make arrangements for mutual aid for animal rescue or evacuation
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 8 of 12Consider pre-planning with land owners, land managers and other animal owners to consider
how they would deal with their animals in a wildfire situation
Liaise with animal charity and other animal associations in conjunction with the
statutory resilience forum to develop tactical plans and contingencies
Tactical actions
Incident commanders should:
Identify and liaise with the owner or person responsible for any animals involved
Identify resources that may be available to contain or corral animals if needed
Request support with managing animals from owners, keepers, police, vets or welfare
organisations
Control measure - Rescue or evacuate animals
Control measure knowledge
The preferred option for fire and rescue services is to avoid or isolate animals during incidents.
However, there will be incidents when the fire and rescue service has to consider helping to rescue
or evacuate animals involved.
Techniques employed when evacuating animals from a place of danger to a place of safety may
take many forms and be entirely dependent on the nature of the danger, the species involved and
the number of animals. Specialist advice should be sought from animal rescue or behaviour
specialists, either within the fire and rescue service or from other organisations.
The primary consideration needs to be the safety of the public and of personnel on the incident
ground. When engaging other organisations and animal owners with rescuing or evacuating
animals, it is essential to remember that the behavioural characteristics of animals are likely to be
very different from those exhibited in non-emergency situations. This means that all personnel in
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 9 of 12the vicinity of the animals need to be clearly briefed and closely supervised.
Effective communication and liaison between the fire and rescue service and animal owners or
responsible persons is important for ensuring that any incident involving animals is dealt with
safely and effectively.
Small animals can usually be dealt with by using animal cages and responders should consider
having a supply of them. Dogs may require muzzling before being transported and large animals
may require specialist equipment to move them.
Strategic actions
Fire and rescue services should:
Establish joint working arrangements with animal facilities in their area
Provide familiarisation information for fire and rescue service personnel
Tactical actions
Incident commanders should:
Brief personnel on the animal-related hazards or animal evacuation techniques
Evacuate animals along appropriate routes to holding areas away from the incident
Control measure - Personal protective
equipment (PPE)
Control measure knowledge
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is equipment that will protect the user against health or safety
risks. It can include items such as helmets, gloves, eye protection, high-visibility clothing and safety
footwear. Equipment such as Chemical Protective Suits (CPC), Respiratory Protective Equipment
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 10 of 12(RPE) and safety harnesses are considered PPE and are covered in more detail elsewhere in
guidance. PPE should be regarded as a last resort where risks to health and safety cannot be
adequately controlled in other ways. Service risk assessments should define the specific PPE
required for an activity to avoid unsuitable selection.
If more than one item of PPE is to be worn, they must be compatible with each other and
adequately control the risks when used together. PPE must be maintained in good working order
and properly stored when not in use. Employees must make proper use of PPE in accordance with
training received and report any loss, damage, destruction or fault.
During protracted incidents and when making up equipment personnel may be inclined to relax
PPE; incident commanders should be vigilant and base any decision to downgrade the need for PPE
on an assessment of residual risk.
When PPE has become dirty, contaminated or damaged it may not perform to the standard
required by the appropriate specification. PPE should only be worn if it has been subject to
appropriate cleaning or decontamination and testing processes.
See: Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
For further information on respiratory protective equipment see, National Operational
Guidance: Operations - Respiratory Protective Equipment
Strategic actions
Fire and rescue services must:
Provide employees with suitable personal protective equipment that fits the wearer correctly
and adequately controls identified risks
Ensure that personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment worn
simultaneously is compatible and does not negatively impact other safety measures
Provide appropriate accommodation for personal protective equipment when not in use
Fire and rescue services should:
Specify the level of PPE for hazards identified through risk assessment and communicate to
personnel
Have suitable arrangements for the cleaning and maintenance of PPE in accordance with the
This content is only valid at the time of download - 26-03-2021 19:03 11 of 12manufacturer's instructions
Ensure that there are suitable arrangements to support the replenishment of PPE
Tactical actions
Incident commanders should:
Ensure that all personnel wear the level of PPE identified by service risk assessments,
procedures and training
Ensure the appropriate PPE is maintained throughout the incident based on an assessment
of risk
Check the condition and serviceability of PPE when assessing operational readiness for
redeployment
Recognise the potential contamination of equipment and PPE and follow service procedures
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