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USDA Emergency Support Function |
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Intro:
Welcome to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service podcast. Each episode
will bring you cutting edge news and information about how FSIS is working to ensure public
health protection through food safety. While we’re on the job, you can rest assured that
your meat, poultry, and processed egg products are safe, wholesome, properly labeled,
and packaged correctly. So turn up your volume and listen in.
Host:
Hello, I’m with the Office of Food Defense and Emergency Response.
Communities and businesses are routinely exposed to natural disasters and incidents that
may disrupt business operations. Like hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, floods, blizzards,
and power outages. Sometimes, incidents are manmade, such as riots, demonstrations, or
acts of terrorism.
When these occur, your first line of response and recovery support is at the local and
state level. However, when they occur on a large scale or national level, additional support
and coordination may be required from federal agencies.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture serves as the lead federal agency that provides coordinated
emergency support with industry, and local and state governments when meat, poultry, and
egg products are involved. Details of this support and coordination are described in the
national response framework, emergency support function 11, which can be found on our
website at www.fsis.usda.gov.
Examples of some of the USDA support activities that are performed include:
- Sending FSIS personnel into disaster affected areas to support other agencies.
- Providing inspection services and support to affected processing facilities to
ensure the safety of products.
- Assisting industry and communities with disposal and decontamination programs.
And
- Providing veterinary support for animal health and disease prevention.
During times of crisis and national disasters we are all working together with common
goals to:
- Save lives and protect the health and safety of the public.
- To quickly restore the infrastructure and key resources and businesses.
- To protect property and reduce damages that impact individuals, communities, and
the environment. And
- To ensure the security of our nation.
Whenever there is a disaster or large scale event, USDA is there to help in response and
recovery. For additional information regarding USDA support during disasters, talk to
your FSIS inspector or frontline supervisor, or visit the FSIS web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov
Why is food defense important to you? It’s about protecting your customers, your
employees, and your business.
Outro:
Well, that’s all for this episode. We’d like your feedback
on our podcast. Or if you have ideas for future podcasts, send
us an e-mail at podcast@fsis.usda.gov. To learn more about food
safety, try our web site at
www.fsis.usda.gov.
Thanks for tuning in.
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