Disaster Shelters

American Red Cross When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to address basic human needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, Red Cross provides the community with disaster education to help prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.

American Red Cross Shelter Role Shelters and feeding operations are Shelters and feeding operations are opened and managed in cooperation with your opened and managed in cooperation with your local Department of Social Services and Office of Emergency Management and are supported by many community partners. many community partners. Shelters may be: managed by Red Cross, managed by Red Cross, managed jointly by Red Cross, the local managed jointly by Red Cross, the local jurisdiction and/or other organization supported by Red Cross, or supported by Red Cross, or managed without Red Cross assistance managed without Red Cross assistance

Shelter Preparedness American Red Cross chapters are required to: Pre-identify Pre-identify possible shelter locations Pre-plan for opening Pre-plan for opening possible shelters possible shelters

Shelter Preparedness Assess Pre-selected Shelter Locations Selection Criteria: Location and access during potential disasters Location and access during potential disasters Safe/Secure environment (utilities, physical plant) Safe/Secure environment (utilities, physical plant) Willingness and ability of facility owner/operator Willingness and ability of facility owner/operator Recommendation of Emergency Management Recommendation of Emergency Management

Shelter Preparedness Assess Pre-selected Shelter Locations Survey Shelters Survey Shelters Shelter Agreements Shelter Agreements

Shelter Preparedness Establish Peripheral Support When to Open/Notify Public When to Open/Notify Public Staffing Staffing Establish position descriptions Establish position descriptions Pre-train volunteers Pre-train volunteers Reporting Procedures Reporting Procedures Intra-shelter Communications Intra-shelter Communications Working with Other Activity Groups Working with Other Activity Groups Shelter Safety and Security Shelter Safety and Security Food Service Support (inside/central/partner/mobile) Food Service Support (inside/central/partner/mobile) Childcare and Recreation Childcare and Recreation

Shelter Overview A shelter may be opened when: A disaster affects a large number of people A disaster affects a large number of people The emergency is expected to last at least several days The emergency is expected to last at least several days People are unable to stay in their homes due to the disaster People are unable to stay in their homes due to the disaster

Shelter Overview There are primarily two types of Shelters: Evacuation Shelters Evacuation Shelters Disaster (Residential) Shelters Disaster (Residential) Shelters Other sheltering: Hotels/Motels Hotels/Motels Shelter in Place Shelter in Place

Shelter Overview Minimum Services Provided at a Red Cross Evacuation Shelter: Temporary Shelter Temporary Shelter Snacks Snacks Basic First Aid Basic First Aid

Shelter Overview Minimum Services Provided at a Red Cross Disaster (Residential) Shelter: Shelter w/sleeping Facilities Shelter w/sleeping Facilities Food (Meals & Snacks) Food (Meals & Snacks) Basic First Aid Basic First Aid Disaster Mental Health Disaster Mental Health

Shelter Overview If you need to Evacuate to a Shelter: Take a Disaster Supplies Kit & important documents Take a Disaster Supplies Kit & important documents Take supplies and toys for children Take supplies and toys for children Take medication and any special dietary needs Take medication and any special dietary needs Contact someone outside the disaster area and let them know your Contact someone outside the disaster area and let them know your plans and destination Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes Lock your home Lock your home Try to car pool if possible Try to car pool if possible Use the specified travel routes. Dont take shortcuts – they may be Use the specified travel routes. Dont take shortcuts – they may beunsafe.

Shelter Overview You may be told to Shelter in Place… Stay where you are Stay where you are Make yourself as safe as possible until the emergency passes or you are told to evacuate. Make yourself as safe as possible until the emergency passes or you are told to evacuate.

Shelter Overview If you are told to Shelter in Place, you may also be told to: Close all windows Close all windows Turn off all fans, heating, and air conditioning systems Turn off all fans, heating, and air conditioning systems Close the fireplace damper Close the fireplace damper Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) with the fewest windows and doors. Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) with the fewest windows and doors. Wet towels and stuff them under the door. Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents Wet towels and stuff them under the door. Tape around doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows, outlets and heat registers. Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows, outlets and heat registers.

Shelter Overview Shelter in Place If you are told there is danger of an explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains. To avoid injury, stay away from the windows; go to a room furthest from the source of the explosion (with the least number of windows). If you are told there is danger of an explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains. To avoid injury, stay away from the windows; go to a room furthest from the source of the explosion (with the least number of windows). Stay in the room and listen to your radio or TV until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate. Stay in the room and listen to your radio or TV until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.

Shelter Overview Summary and Reminders: Take responsibility by planning now! (Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit; get a Weather Radio) Take responsibility by planning now! (Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit; get a Weather Radio) Listen for information on radio and TV about hazardous weather and other events. Listen for information on radio and TV about hazardous weather and other events. Heed the advice of local officials. Leave right away if told to do so! Heed the advice of local officials. Leave right away if told to do so! Gather essential supplies. Be sure to keep a copy of your prescriptions (including eye glasses) and other important papers (family & insurance documents) to take with you if you have to leave your home. Gather essential supplies. Be sure to keep a copy of your prescriptions (including eye glasses) and other important papers (family & insurance documents) to take with you if you have to leave your home.

Shelter Overview Sheltering in your community is a success through partnership: Your local government Your local government Your local community Your local community Your Red Cross Chapter Your Red Cross Chapter And YOU! And YOU!