FAQ - About BART
Basic Animal Rescue Training (BART) is a Minnesota based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower first responders - firefighters, police, paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians and Community Emergency Response Teams - with the training, knowledge and equipment necessary to safely and effectively handle domestic animals encountered during emergency situations, in order to help preserve human health, safety and well being. Operated by volunteers in the veterinary profession and supported by community donations, BART teaches first responders restraint and handling of pets, horses and livestock, as well as patient assessment/first aid and CPR for companion animals. The departments undergoing training receive an emergency medical kit that contains all the materials and supplies covered in the small animal course. BART has trained and equipped over 2,500 first responder personnel in Minnesota since December of 2004.
How did the BART program begin?
BART was established by veterinarian Dr. Janet Olson in December 2004 in response to the tragic loss of a pet in a house fire in New Brighton, Minnesota. The burning home belonged to a firefighter and his 13-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer named Bart was trapped inside. The department was able to put out the fire and locate Bart, but he was unresponsive. The firefighters, who included Dr. Olson’s husband, did not have the knowledge base or equipment to help Bart and he died. The entire fire department was deeply affected by this tragedy, feeling helpless to assist one of their own. The BART program has been developed to honor the memory of Bart and to ensure fewer families will suffer a similar loss. Read Bart’s story.
Why is BART needed?
Bart’s story illustrates how first responders encounter animals during emergencies and desire to assist them. BART courses teach these individuals how to help our four-legged loved ones, while maintaining their own safety. The public wants and needs their animals to be respected and cared for in emergencies, as was seen following the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005. During recounts of the rescue efforts many emergency personnel spoke of not knowing how or what to do when caring for pets during this time of crisis. Many people chose to stay behind when their pets were not allowed to be evacuated and sadly some of those individuals lost their lives as a result. In response to this tragedy federal legislation entitled the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act was introduced, and was signed into law in October 2006. The PETS Act requires local and state disaster plans to include provisions for household pets and service animals.
The Minneapolis Fire Department embraced BART training after returning from deployment to Louisiana for emergency response and cleanup after Hurricane Katrina. Many local firefighters spent a large portion of their time performing animal rescue and assisting with pet care. More than 440 members of the Minneapolis Fire Department underwent BART training in the spring of 2006. One participant said, “BART empowers first responders to help animals encountered in daily emergency situations as well as in large scale disasters.”
Does BART only teach pet rescue?
Due to multiple requests from Fire/EMS departments, BART has added a basic Equine and Livestock Restraint and Rescue Class to its curriculum; a kit is under development.
Does BART teach only firefighters and EMS personnel?
BART has been asked to instruct Community Emergency Response (CERT) Teams in animal rescue, and added classes for community level responders in both small and large animal restraint and rescue, as well as a CERT BART kit. Click here for more information on BART classes.
Who has been trained by BART?
Over 2,500 emergency response personnel have taken the training since the program began in December of 2004. Click here for a complete list by department, and to view photos from training sessions.
See article on Minneapolis Fire Department Training
See Minnesota Public Radio Interview
How can I find out about animal rescues by BART-trained first responders?
Visit the Rescue Stories page on our website. Subscribe to our free electronic newsletter, The Siren. You will be emailed a link each time we publish The Siren and get the latest BART news instantly! To subscribe, enter your email address in the Subscribe box on the right side of this page. BART will not share or distribute your email address.
Who leads the BART program?
BART’s twelve-member Board of Directors represents Fire, EMS, CERT, police and the veterinary profession. Click here for more information on the BART leadership team.
BART President and Founder Dr. Janet Olson has worked in the companion animal veterinary profession for over 16 years. She has practiced in a private, small animal referral clinic for the past eight years, providing her with extensive critical care experience. She is currently a cardiology resident at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Olson received the prestigious Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association’s Veterinary Service Award in 2007 in recognition of her accomplishments developing and leading this veterinary community outreach program. In addition, Olson is married to a member of the New Brighton Fire Department.
BART Vice President and Executive Director Dr. Karina Burger brings broad large animal and emergency planning experience to the program as she has practiced for eight years as a large animal and equine veterinarian. In addition, Burger was employed as an Emergency Planning Veterinarian during which time she helped develop and lead the Minnesota Veterinary Reserve Corps. She is currently a district veterinarian with USDA-Veterinary Services.
BART coordinates and collaborates with other emergency preparedness efforts in the state through its membership in the Minnesota Animal Disaster Coalition, which represents federal, state, and local agencies and volunteer organizations active in animal emergency preparedness and response in Minnesota.
BART is endorsed and supported by both the Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association and Minnesota Veterinary Medical Foundation. BART is also financially supported by the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, and has received letters of support from the Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, the Minnesota Department of Health, the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Minnesota - College of Veterinary Medicine and School of Public Health, the Minnesota Association of Veterinary Technicians, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, the Minnesota Animal Control Association, Veterinary Medical Assistance Team - 5 (VMAT-5), USDA-Veterinary Services, and the Minneapolis and Andover Fire Departments.
Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency/US Department of Homeland Security (FEMA/DHS) have approved the curriculum for the BART Small Animal Basic Life Support course.
Does BART offer training outside of Minnesota?
BART has received training requests from over 30 states and is pursuing national expansion. The American Veterinary Medical Foundation recently granted BART $50,000 to help start chapters in five new states. Click here to download an application to bring BART to your state.
If you have questions about bringing BART to your area, contact us by email or call Executive Director Dr Karina Burger at 612 282 2608.
Who teaches the BART courses?
Volunteer veterinarians, veterinary technicians and students in these programs teach the classes. BART has recruited over 250 volunteers to assist with the training; 4-8 volunteers are needed to teach each class. BART also has Pet Volunteers! Click here to learn more about our certified trainers and pet volunteers.
Many people outside of the veterinary profession volunteer with BART in non-training roles and we always are looking for good help! If you are interested in volunteering, contact us for more information.
How much does BART training cost?
Supported primarily by charitable donations and grants, BART offers classes as well as the small animal medical kits free of charge to Fire/Emergency Medical Services departments, although many departments have assisted with the costs of course and kit delivery. Due to the strong growth of the program and the challenge of raising sufficient funds to support this growth, BART welcomes assistance from the departments to help raise the funds to support their training. For detailed costs, visit our Donations page.
How can I help BART?
Your donation is essential for BART to be able to continue its mission and services. BART is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. To make a donation, you may send a check, made out to BART, to Basic Animal Rescue Training, P.O. Box 130967, St. Paul, MN 55113-0009, or make a donation online on our Donations page.
If you are interested in volunteering with BART, please contact us.
