5 th Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference Dan Brennan Emergency Services Director, Granite Chapter American Red Cross Who is Sheltering Whom and Where?

What is ESF-6? ESF-6 is one of 16 Emergency Support Functions in the State’s EOP. Directed by the Governor, ESF-6 services and programs are implemented to assist individuals and households impacted by potential or actual disaster incidents.

ESF-6 has four primary functions:  Mass Care  Emergency Assistance  Housing  Human Services What is ESF-6?

Who is responsible for ESF-6 in NH? Every NH Community DHHS is “lead” State agency for ESF-6 More than just Mass Care feeding and sheltering

Does DHHS set up shelters? NO!! DHHS is responsible for the coordination of a State response to requests for shelters in NH. All responses are local responses FIRST. Every local community in NH should have a shelter plan in their local EOP.

Role of American Red Cross in ESF-6 Red Cross is part of local response State and Federal Government are NOT part of local response Red Cross works with communities to respond when needed Shelter agreements should be signed prior to a disaster

Red Cross is and will continue to be the lead agency that the State of NH will rely on when sheltering is needed in NH. Red Cross cannot open 234 shelters at once in a statewide disaster! Role of American Red Cross in ESF-6

Regional Response to Sheltering In 2008 Ice Storm, managing and updating 61 shelters for up to 14 days exceeded capacity of Red Cross and State. Medical and mental health issues were concerns and gaps were identified.

NH vision: open “regional” shelters for large disasters. Accommodate general population, medical needs and pets. Red Cross manages general population component. Other agencies manage medical residents and pets. DHHS, Dept of Agriculture, and Homeland Security and Emergency Management are key state partners with Red Cross. Regional Response to Sheltering

“Regional” is only a strategic planning concept What qualifies as a Regional Shelter? Any facility with a Red Cross shelter agreement and registered in NSS Regional Shelters are out of harm’s way, close to major affected areas and convenient to affected population Regional Response to Sheltering

Who will identify location of the Regional Shelters? The American Red Cross will work with DHHS, HSEM, and the local EMD’s to determine the best location for a regional shelter. If possible this will be done in advance of a predicted event Regional Response to Sheltering

Are there Regional Shelters now? Red Cross in NH has 241 shelter agreements registered in the NSS and are presently updating them. Any of them could be a regional shelter. Facilities that have ARC shelter agreements essentially already know that it is a regional shelter because the ARC does not turn anyone away that they can accommodate in a shelter Regional Response to Sheltering

Will a Regional Shelter be opened in a community that is NOT affected? A shelter does not become a regional shelter until it is opened A shelter is simply a facility. The person or agency responsible for that facility authorizes the opening and closing of that facility not the ARC Regional Response to Sheltering

Who will manage a Regional Shelter? Each responsible agency would manage their own function, i.e. medical needs and pets. Regional Response to Sheltering

Our goal: Shelter everyone under one roof, including pets. Regional Response to Sheltering

Again – Regional is just a strategic term for planning purposes. Regional Response to Sheltering

What happens if community does not want to go to a regional shelter because they want to stay in their community? The communities emergency managers should refer to the shelter annex in their local EOP Call local Red Cross Chapter if they have any mass care needs; i.e., cots, blankets, food. If Red Cross cannot meet community’s needs, and all their resources are exhausted, then make a request to ESF-6 desk at the State EOC. Community Shelters

A Red Cross “supported” shelter: A community shelter with any Red Cross human or material supplies Updated figures are captured by Red Cross, and documented in the NSS (National Shelter System) and WEB-EOC at the State EOC Community Shelters

Note: Red Cross human and material resources will be committed first to Regional Shelters and may be temporarily exhausted. It’s critical that your local EOP include where you will get supplies, to operate a community shelter. Community Shelters

Where is the shelter going to be, and what is it’s capacity? Names and numbers for contact to open the door 24/7 Who will work in the shelter? Must be staffed 24/7 Shelter supplies - cots, blankets, food, water etc. What will you do with residents with health or mental health concerns? Pets Key Issues When Opening a Community Shelter

Shelter Costs All costs associated with Red Cross “managed” shelter are assumed by Red Cross. Costs for Red Cross “partner” shelter is negotiated between Red Cross and Partner Agency. For Red Cross “supported” shelters, the community is responsible for costs; Red Cross material supplies are free, but returned when shelter closes.

If there is a Presidential declaration and the guidelines for Public Assistance has been met, your community is eligible for 75% reimbursement of costs from the Federal Government, and 24% from the State. It’s critical to fill out required forms and track all of expenses. Shelter Costs

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS? Dan Brennan