American Red Cross

1
Disaster Shelters
2
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.
• In addition to these services, Red Cross
  provides the community with disaster education to
  help prevent, prepare for and respond to
  emergencies.

3
American Red Cross Shelter Role

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

4
Shelter Preparedness

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

5
Shelter PreparednessAssess Pre-selected Shelter
Locations

• Selection Criteria
• Location and access during potential disasters
• Safe/Secure environment (utilities, physical
  plant)
• Willingness and ability of facility
  owner/operator
• Recommendation of Emergency Management

6
Shelter PreparednessAssess Pre-selected Shelter
Locations

• Survey Shelters
• Shelter Agreements

7
Shelter PreparednessEstablish Peripheral Support

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

8
Shelter Overview

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

9
Shelter Overview

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

10
Shelter Overview

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

11
Shelter Overview

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

12
Shelter Overview

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

13
Shelter Overview

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

14
Shelter Overview

• If you are told to Shelter in Place, you
• may also be told to
• Close all windows
• Turn off all fans, heating, and air conditioning
  systems
• Close the fireplace damper
• 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
• Use plastic garbage bags to cover windows,
  outlets and heat registers.

15
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).
• Stay in the room and listen to your radio or TV
  until you are told all is safe or you are told to
  evacuate.

16
Shelter Overview

• Summary and Reminders
• 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.
• 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.

17
Shelter Overview

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