Fire & Emergency Preparedness – Fall ’24
This course covers an overview of barn fire prevention including the top causes of barn fires and practical ways that horse owners can reduce these risks. Emergency preparedness will also be a focus including identifying potential emergency threats in your region and developing a disaster plan.
Never taken an online course before? No worries! This course takes a common sense, practical and flexible approach to training – no prior online learning experience required. Log in anytime – 24/7. Join in on conversations with instructors, guest experts and your peers in our Discussion Forum – a truly unique community approach in online learning.
To receive your Equine Emergency Preparedness Certificate:
- Register and complete two short online courses on The Horse Portal: Equine First Aid, and Fire & Emergency Preparedness
- Once you have completed both courses, send an email to [email protected] to receive your certificate!
- Note: Already completed one of these short courses before? No worries – your prior course completion will count towards your Certificate. Complete the course you are missing, and then send an email to [email protected] to receive your Certificate!
- Special offer this Fall! SAVE $50 by registering for both courses at once. Choose the ‘Emergency Preparedness Certificate’ registration option below. You will then receive an email from Equine Guelph, which will confirm your registration in Equine First Aid, Winter ’24. NOTE: No additional discounts can be applied to this special offer. Please allow 2-3 days to receive your confirmation email.
- Note: Already completed one of these short courses before? No worries – your prior course completion will count towards your Certificate. Complete the course you are missing, and then send an email to [email protected] to receive your Certificate!
This course may be of interest for:
- All horse owners to learn more about implementing best practices
- All coaches, stable managers and instructors to learn best practices
- Those involved in horse associations or education programs to learn standards and best management practices
- First responders and pre-service
- Employers (e.g., trainers, owners) with an interest to invest in their business through furthering the knowledge of employees caring for their horses; to purchase an online course for an employee, please contact Equine Guelph at horseportal@uoguelph
The goals of this course are to help you;
- to reduce the risk of fire from occurring on your farm by recognizing best management practices
- to conduct a self assessment of your farm and create your own safety plans
- to contact your local fire department and identify local resources
- to gain an understanding of what you should do in the event of a farm fire
- to identify disasters that you may face in your geographical region to create your own disaster plan
Time Commitment:
- Occurs over a 1 week period
- 5-10 hour commitment is required during this period
- No set times to be online during the week
- Recommended you visit the course site at least 5 times a week, preferably once or more each day
- Course is entirely online, so travel to the University of Guelph is NOT required
- Guest expert/facilitator-led course over a 1-week period
- 3 weeks extended course access to allow extra time to complete learning activities
Materials
- All materials are provided online within course site
Prerequisites
- 16 years of age or older
For more information, please contact Susan Raymond Phone: 519 824-4120, ext. 54230 Email: [email protected]
Certificate of Completion
Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Equine Guelph – the horse owner’s Centre at the University of Guelph.
Equine Emergency Preparedness Certificate
This course counts towards 1 of 2 credits towards the Equine Emergency Preparedness Certificate from Equine Guelph. Complete Equine First Aid as well to earn your Certificate!
Continuing Education Credits/Professional Development:
- Equestrian Canada recognizes Equine Guelph short-training online courses as qualifying for points on the NCCP Coach/Instructor Professional Development Activities Updating hours (3 points)
- The Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians recognizes this short online course as qualifying for five credits within Category 3.
“This course was eye-opening and very informative. I learned about the realities of barn fire detection and response, and the importance of doing due diligence in planning and prevention. The best way to deal with a barn fire is to prevent it from occurring in the first place, and this course provides a wealth of information that will help you to accomplish the goal of a fire-safe facility. Every horse owner can do something to make their horse’s space safer. Every horse owner/enthusiast can benefit from the information in this course.”Cathy Vogelweid, DVM (Columbia, Missouri, USA)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
“I just completed a Fire and Emergency preparedness course through Equine Guelph. I learned a lot, the online portal was easy to navigate and the course content was helpful and thorough but not too time consuming to be obstructive to completing the course on a busy schedule. I think every person who owns a facility or manages a barn should complete this course, they have a duty to their animals and their customers to do so! But I also recommend that boarders and horse owners complete it, as you might be the one in the barn when an emergency occurs!”Leah Ricketson (Campbell River, BC)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
“The time it took to complete this course was a worthwhile investment. Fire prevention has often been a concern for me and this course gave me lots of practical information and charged me to take the appropriate actions I needed to, to ensure the safety of my horses and pets in case of a fire or other emergency events.”
Brenda Robson – Coach/Facility Owner, Windhurst Riding & Training Centre (Lowbanks, ON)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
“I signed up for fire and emergency preparedness as I have always had an interest in disaster and preparation. After losing a horse in a fire a couple years ago, I have become more interested in advocating for fire safety.”Kim Houlding, DVM, MS – Owner/Trainer/Breeder (Staker’s Acres, Madrid, Iowa, USA)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
“Equine Guelph’s Fire & Emergency Preparedness course was even more helpful and interesting than I thought it would be! In a week, I learned so much from experts in and out of the horse community, and would definitely recommend it to anybody who owns or cares for horses.”
Kathryn G. – Horse Owner and Groom (Chris Delia Stables, Mohawk Racetrack)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
“The Fire and Emergency Preparedness course is a must for any horse facility owner or manager. Tons of useful information that could help prevent future tragedy.”
Pamela Nunn, Facility Owner and Coach (Thanksgiving Farm – Toledo, ON)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
Mario Ouellet’s horse ‘Dakar’
“I really enjoyed this course! It was well structured and there were a lot of resources available for consulting. The instructor and experts were very helpful and positive in their feedback. I finished this course way more knowledgeable than when I started.”
Mario Ouellet, Owner (Fenwick, ON)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
“The short courses provided in the Horse Portal as well as the 12 week courses offered by UOG are fantastic. I have taken 2 now, and feel the amount they charge for each course has been an outstanding value for the money. The information and resources they provide are high quality.”
J. Hudson, Rescue/Facility Owner (Stevensville, Montana)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
Nancy and ‘Zeus’
“My participation in the Fire & Emergency Preparedness course helped me see my facility in a new light. Our assignment was to evaluate our barn. I realized that every night I closed my barn I literally was locking my horses in with only one way out. I retrofitted all doors so that latches could be released from both inside and outside of my barn. As a result of my participation, I have also opened a dialogue for the equine community with the local fire department. Game changer!”
Nancy Chamberlain, Owner (Peculiar, MO, USA)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
Photo by Sandy Corsan
“Thorough & highly informative! Both the facilitator & guest expert are extremely knowledgeable & provide an illuminating & enjoyable learning experience! The reference material included in the course is invaluable!”
Kevan Garecki, Commercial Transport (Abbotsford, BC)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
Valerie Gibbons’ horse ‘Keeto’
“The short course in Fire and Emergency Preparedness is a must for all barn owners, boarders, or simply those that love horses. The course provides practical information that can be implemented immediately. Please take advantage of this great course, it could possibly be the one that makes the difference in your life and that of your horse.”
Valerie Gibbons, RVT (Calverton, NY, USA)
Student – Fire & Emergency Preparedness
Dr. Rebecca Husted
A volunteer Firefighter, Public Information Officer and Fire Prevention Instructor for the City of Gray, GA, Rebecca is doing R&D work with several veterinary schools and others educating about heavy rescue of animals. An internationally sought speaker and instructor, she edited and wrote the only textbook available to the fire service and veterinarians on technical rescue of large animals, and several chapters in major veterinary books on similar subjects. She contributes her time and expertise to several international committees: for equine welfare (PATH, International) and is the NFPA Standard 150 technical chair and subject matter expert.
Rebecca holds a BS (Wofford College) and PhD (Clemson University). Her current scientific research interests include a national survey of trailer accident causality, another of horse barn fire causality, and of physiological responses to Technical Rescue procedures and equipment in large animals.
Dr. Susan Raymond
Susan Raymond has been involved in the development and delivery, both online and in-person, of educational and skills training programs since 2003 (Equine Guelph). The focus of these programs is to improve welfare and safety of both animals and people on the farm during day to day activities and emergency situations. Susan’s PhD research involved investigating the effects of exposure of horses to mycotoxins, as well as, examining stable design and management as they affect air quality. Susan has completed Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue Operations, Rescue Ropes/Rigging courses and Animal Technical Rescue Awareness Level Course (University of Florida). Susan has also completed Colorado State University – Equine Investigations Academy Level 1.
Mike King – Mike is a Partner at Acera Insurance, and the national lead for their equine industry insurance and risk management programs serving clients from Coast to Coast. Mike has been involved in the horse industry for most of his life having participated at one point or another as horse owner, pleasure and competition rider, coach, judge, and facility manager. Today, various insurance programs under his management and oversight serve over 80,000 equine enthusiasts from coast-to-coast. As a specialist, Mike is regularly invited to speak to groups on topics related to risk management and insurance in the equine industry across Canada.
Mike participates as a guest instructor twice a year in the Equine Business Management certificate course at the University of Guelph to share his insights with an International student body and is proud to be a long standing Education Patron at Equine Guelph.
Eligible Partner Discounts:
Course discounts available to members of the following equine organizations: (Note: Discounts cannot be applied to the Emergency Preparedness Certificate promotional offer.)
- Canadian Therapeutic Riding Association
- Central Ontario Standardbred Association
- Equine Connection
- Horse Racing Alberta
- Ontario Racing
- Standardbred Canada
- Saddle Up Safely (US)
Federation Members – 15% Off!
General Enrollment – Register Today!
Equine Emergency Preparedness Certificate
Course Instructors
