FAQs

Yes. The CVR membership application requests all CVR members to commit to a maximum of 12 hours per year of unpaid CVR on-line training. Training may be provided by the CVR, the CFIA or other training partners. This training will often not take up to 12 hours per year and is not expected to exceed 12 hours per year.

The CVR uses e-mail almost exclusively to connect with CVR Members. Any new training offers or invitations to participate in specific training will most likely be sent to you via e-mail.

CVR general training is readily available through the CVR website and may be suitable for all CVR Members. This training may be offered in a variety of formats including on-line self directed training modules, net meetings, conference calls, webinars and call up drills.

Training offered by other partners, such as the CFIA or a civil emergency partner, will be made available according to the parameters set by the partner themselves.

Whenever CVR Members are deployed to serve in a real emergency response, either under the CFIA or other government authority, there will be some level of on-site training and/or briefing(s) prior to actual service.

The CVR maintains a database of CVR Member that includes each individual’s specialty, certifications, general experience, and skills information. When a subset of CVR Members is needed for training, a search of the CVR database provides a list of those who meet the set criteria. From this subset a prioritized list of invitees may be created based on a variety of factors such as species contact, geographic location, language, etc. The requestor may then choose from the list and contact the individuals directly or work through the CVMA/CVR to finalize the list and contact the invitees.

The process is similar whether it is an FAD response led by CFIA or a civil emergency call up. In general, the requestor determines how many CVR Members are required and what specific skills and experience are needed. The CVMA receives the request and searches the CVR database for those Members meeting the requested criteria. The Requestor may review this initial list and select those on the list who are to receive a CVR Call Up Notice. The Call Up Notice includes an information package containing the details that a Reservist would need for decision-making (dates; location; duration of deployment; nature of the emergency; conditions of participation; etc.). Those Members who reply to the Call Up Notice and indicate that they are willing to deploy to serve in the emergency will be added to the “Available to Deploy” list. Should a deployment actually take place, a request would be sent to some or all Members on the Available to Deploy list asking them to actually deploy and providing very specific information about the deployment. Reservists would have this opportunity to reconfirm their commitment to deploy and the process of actually deploying would begin. In a CFIA-led emergency response, the CFIA manages the process from the point where the Available to Deploy list is provided to them. In a civil emergency the CVR may be called upon to oversee the deployment process from call up through deployment and returning home.

The CVR is primarily a domestic resource intended for deployment within Canada. There is the possibility of international deployment if requested and funded by an authorized international government/government agency.

For CFIA-led emergencies see 29B. For civil emergencies the CVR is prepared to manage the deployment communication from call up through deployment and returning the Reservist to their home location. Those authorities requesting CVR assistance in civil emergencies may choose to have the CVR oversee the deployment communications from start to finish or, like the CFIA, they may choose to play a more direct role themselves.

While it will vary depending on the nature of the disaster, duties may include clinical diagnoses; triage; initial emergency treatment; minor surgical repair; referrals to appropriate specialists and/or local veterinary hospitals; etc.

The CVR program has set daily rate of pay and other remuneration and reimbursement requirements which it presents to the Requestor. CVR Members are advised of the terms at the time of Call Up and may decide to offer their services for the agreed terms, or not.

The CVR program has set practice continuity compensation which it presents to the Requestor. CVR members are advised of the terms at the time of Call Up and may decide to offer their services for the agreed terms, or not.

Practice Continuity Compensation (PCC) is funding designed to assist in offsetting the costs incurred by a veterinary practice owner when they or their staff are absent from work to serve in CVR emergency response. PCC is obtained by qualifying owners by applying to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association when they, or their staff return from an emergency deployment. Eligibility and payment for PCC is currently under review and will be added here when available.

While the requestor may provide some additional coverage, it is expected that CVR Members will carry their own private liability, disability, medical, and dental insurance. CVR Members are responsible for deciding if Supplemental Health Insurance coverage, including Disability Insurance, is warranted. Any insurance acquired or maintained by the Member is at their own expense and for their own benefit and protection.

Any provisions would depend on the Requestor, the agreement negotiated between the Requestor and the CVMA/CVR, and any applicable labour/occupational health and safety laws in Canada. These would be determined on a case by case basis for civil emergencies.