Disaster SheltersDisaster Shelters

American Red CrossAmerican Red Cross

When a disaster threatens or strikes, the When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, health Red Cross provides shelter, food, health and mental health services to address and mental health services to address basic human needs. basic human needs.

In addition to these services, Red Cross In addition to these services, Red Cross provides the community with disaster provides the community with disaster education to help prevent, prepare for and education to help prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. respond to emergencies.

American Red Cross American Red Cross Shelter RoleShelter Role

Shelters and feeding operations areShelters 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 oflocal Department of Social Services and Office ofEmergency Management and are supported byEmergency Management and are supported by

many community partners.many community partners.

Shelters may be: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 organizationjurisdiction and/or other organization supported by Red Cross, orsupported by Red Cross, or managed without Red Cross assistance managed without Red Cross assistance

Shelter PreparednessShelter Preparedness

American Red Cross chapters American Red Cross chapters are required to:are required to:

Pre-identify Pre-identify possible shelter possible shelter locationslocations

Pre-plan for openingPre-plan for opening possible shelterspossible shelters

Shelter PreparednessShelter Preparedness

Assess Pre-selected Shelter LocationsAssess Pre-selected Shelter Locations

Selection Criteria:Selection Criteria:

Location and access during Location and access during potential disasterspotential disasters

Safe/Secure environment Safe/Secure environment (utilities, physical plant)(utilities, physical plant)

Willingness and ability of Willingness and ability of facility owner/operatorfacility owner/operator

Recommendation of Recommendation of Emergency ManagementEmergency Management

Shelter PreparednessShelter Preparedness

Assess Pre-selected Shelter LocationsAssess Pre-selected Shelter Locations

Survey SheltersSurvey Shelters

Shelter AgreementsShelter Agreements

Shelter PreparednessShelter PreparednessEstablish Peripheral SupportEstablish Peripheral Support

When to Open/Notify PublicWhen to Open/Notify Public StaffingStaffing

Establish position descriptionsEstablish position descriptions Pre-train volunteersPre-train volunteers

Reporting ProceduresReporting Procedures Intra-shelter CommunicationsIntra-shelter Communications Working with Other Activity GroupsWorking with Other Activity Groups Shelter Safety and SecurityShelter Safety and Security Food Service Support Food Service Support

(inside/central/partner/mobile)(inside/central/partner/mobile) Childcare and RecreationChildcare and Recreation

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

A shelter may be A shelter may be opened when:opened when:

A disaster affects a large A disaster affects a large number of peoplenumber of people

The emergency is The emergency is expected to last at least expected to last at least several daysseveral days

People are unable to stay People are unable to stay in their homes due to the in their homes due to the disasterdisaster

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

There are primarily There are primarily two types of two types of Shelters:Shelters:

Evacuation SheltersEvacuation Shelters Disaster (Residential) Disaster (Residential)

SheltersShelters

Other sheltering:Other sheltering: Hotels/MotelsHotels/Motels Shelter in PlaceShelter in Place

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

Minimum ServicesMinimum Services

Provided at a Red Cross Provided at a Red Cross

Evacuation ShelterEvacuation Shelter::

Temporary ShelterTemporary Shelter SnacksSnacks Basic First AidBasic First Aid

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

Minimum Services Minimum Services Provided at a Red CrossProvided at a Red CrossDisaster (Residential)Disaster (Residential)ShelterShelter::

Shelter w/sleeping Shelter w/sleeping FacilitiesFacilities

Food (Meals & Snacks)Food (Meals & Snacks) Basic First AidBasic First Aid Disaster Mental HealthDisaster Mental Health

Shelter OverviewShelter OverviewIf you need to Evacuate to a Shelter:If you need to Evacuate to a Shelter:

Take a Disaster Supplies Kit & important documentsTake a Disaster Supplies Kit & important documents

Take supplies and toys for childrenTake supplies and toys for children

Take medication and any special dietary needsTake medication and any special dietary needs

Contact someone outside the disaster area and let them know yourContact someone outside the disaster area and let them know yourplans and destinationplans and destination

Wear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoesWear appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes

Lock your homeLock your home

Try to car pool if possibleTry to car pool if possible

Use the specified travel routes. Don’t take shortcuts – they may beUse the specified travel routes. Don’t take shortcuts – they may beunsafe.unsafe.

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

You may be told toYou may be told toShelter in PlaceShelter in Place……

Stay where you areStay where you are

Make yourself as safe Make yourself as safe as possible until the as possible until the emergency passes or emergency passes or you are told to you are told to evacuate.evacuate.

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

If you are told to If you are told to Shelter in PlaceShelter in Place, you , you may also be told to:may also be told to:

Close all windowsClose all windows Turn off all fans, heating, and air conditioning Turn off all fans, heating, and air conditioning

systemssystems Close the fireplace damperClose the fireplace damper Go to an above-ground room (not the basement) Go to an above-ground room (not the basement)

with the fewest windows and doors.with the fewest windows and doors. Wet towels and stuff them under the door. Tape Wet towels and stuff them under the door. Tape

around doors, windows, exhaust fans or ventsaround doors, windows, exhaust fans or vents Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows, Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows,

outlets and heat registers.outlets and heat registers.

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

Shelter in PlaceShelter in Place If you are told there is danger of an If you are told there is danger of an

explosion, close the window shades, blinds explosion, close the window shades, blinds or curtains. To avoid injury, stay away from or curtains. To avoid injury, stay away from the windows; go to a room furthest from the the windows; go to a room furthest from the source of the explosion (with the least source of the explosion (with the least number of windows).number of windows).

Stay in the room and listen to your radio or Stay in the room and listen to your radio or TV until you are told all is safe or you are TV until you are told all is safe or you are told to evacuate.told to evacuate.

Shelter OverviewShelter OverviewSummary and Reminders:Summary and Reminders:

Take responsibility by planning Take responsibility by planning nownow! (Assemble a ! (Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit; get a Weather Radio)Disaster Supplies Kit; get a Weather Radio)

Listen for information on radio and TV about Listen for information on radio and TV about hazardous weather and other events.hazardous weather and other events.

Heed the advice of local officials. Leave right Heed the advice of local officials. Leave right away if told to do so!away if told to do so!

Gather essential supplies. Be sure to keep a copy Gather essential supplies. Be sure to keep a copy of your prescriptions (including eye glasses) and of your prescriptions (including eye glasses) and other important papers (family & insurance other important papers (family & insurance documents) to take with you if you have to leave documents) to take with you if you have to leave your home.your home.

Shelter OverviewShelter Overview

Sheltering in your community is a Sheltering in your community is a

success through partnership:success through partnership:

Your local governmentYour local government Your local communityYour local community Your Red Cross ChapterYour Red Cross Chapter And YOU!And YOU!