As the Emergency Services Protocol reaches its first birthday, BEVA and the BHS celebrate a successful year but warn there is still a huge task ahead. 

The Emergency Services Protocol (ESP) and the Equine Rescue Fund were launched at a Buckingham Palace reception, hosted by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal, in May last year.  Since that time much has happened to minimise delays in injured animals receiving veterinary care, but there is still much to be done.  

Josh Slater, Senior Vice President of BEVA said: “When The British Horse Society (BHS) and BEVA launched the Protocol last year, we were well aware that it was only the start of what will undoubtedly be a long-term initiative for improving safety and standards for all those involved in large animal rescue.  

BEVA’s role has expanded well beyond its initial remit of providing a list of equine veterinary practices that could be called upon to assist the emergency services in incidents involving horses,”  he adds. “Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service have been invaluable in helping us train our vets in rescue techniques and we aim to encourage as many vets as possible to attend our rescue and emergency medicine course. Providing veterinary care to horses in emergency situations is a dangerous activity and one that requires specialist knowledge and expertise.” 

Professor Slater’s comments come after Europe’s first Animal Rescue Conference held in June this year, hosted by Hampshire Fire & Rescue, at which he spoke about the role of the vet.  

At the conference, it was announced that the Chief Fire Officers Association (CFOA) was establishing an Animal Rescue Practitioner Group, to be chaired by Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service. Its aims are to establish terms of reference, develop national standards for animal rescue training for fire and rescue services, identify and establish accreditation for animal rescue training, and share best practice. 

Mark Weston, British Horse Society Director of Access, Safety and Welfare, said: “The continuing development of the ESP procedures will help to ensure that those equines that are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident are treated expeditiously and in accordance with best practice.  We are delighted that the CFOA is taking this important step to develop standards further for animal rescue.”