Shelters - What You Need to Know

 

 

 

What Agencies are Involved?

The first step to helping older adults prepare is to know what agencies have authority over opening a shelter during an emergency.

Overall Authority	State Emergency Management, Human Services
Primary Agency	Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services
Support Agencies	American Humane Association American Red Cross Department Of Crime Control & Public Safety Division of Emergency Management, Division of National Guard Department of Correction Department of Health and Human Services Salvation Army Department of Public Instruction

At the Federal Level, the American Red Cross is in charge.

Their purpose is:

To coordinate efforts to provide emergency shelters, feeding, water, distribution of relief supplies for victims of a disaster, and disaster welfare information.

They do this by:

• Providing shelter during a disaster to citizens, including those individuals with special needs (hearing, sight, or other physical restrictions, non-English speaking groups).
• Providing food and essential water requirements for disaster victims and emergency workers.
• Providing and coordinating emergency first aid to disaster victims and workers at mass care facilities and at designated sites within the disaster area.
• Coordination of relief efforts provided by volunteer organizations.
• Providing clothing support to disaster victims.
• Providing mental health counseling to disaster victims.

This is accomplished by the coordinated efforts of local agencies and volunteer groups, state agencies, and federal assistance as needed.

 

 

Who Decides Whether to Open an Emergency Shelter?

Local government decides:

• whether to open a shelter
• when to open a shelter
• when to close an opened shelter
• what facilities will be used as shelters
• all of the above for Special Needs Shelters

Local government will notify the DHHS, Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) of the need to open a shelter. DAAS will relay the need to Emergency Management. Emergency Management will contact the local chapter of the American Red Cross and any other support agencies. Though local government decides whether or not to open a shelter, final determination falls to state Emergency Management. However, they rely on local Emergency Management and local county government to determine the need and make the best decision for the county.

The local chapter of the Red Cross typically opens the shelters with assistance from the local Department of Social Services. If federal help is also needed, state Emergency Management will request assistance from the American Red Cross.

Please note that the protocols for Special Needs Shelters are different.

At the state level, the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) coordinates, with the Division of Aging and Adult Services, the activities of all the public shelters. Shelters operated by the American Red Cross will be operated under the American Red Cross Shelter guidelines. SERT monitors changing needs and will support any shelter requiring medical services and/or personnel beyond the ability of the Red Cross and local government to provide. This is done in the Emergency Operations Center. SERT coordinates the handling of security, communications, changing needs, needs beyond what can be handled locally, and additional supplies and food through the use of state agencies and federal resources.

 

 

What Does an Emergency Shelter Do?

Shelters can be critical for displaced citizens or those who would be unable to weather a disaster event in their own home. Trained personnel organize and make available:

• access to long-term disaster relief, if needed
• a place to sleep
• a place to weather the storm or event
• emergency first aid
• emergency relief items such as clothes, as needed
• information on the event
• meals
• mental health counseling
• other services as needed
• potable water and ice

Shelter staff also assist with providing food for individuals not in shelters and who are unable to go to mass feeding sites.

 

 

What is a Special Needs Shelter?

People with special needs have requirements that will differ from those of other citizens. Local jurisdictions have the responsibility to provide adequate assistance to these individuals to meet their specific needs. State agencies assist local jurisdictions, as appropriate, in meeting the needs of these individuals.

• More Information on Special Needs Shelters,  Including Contact Information

Some counties have Special Needs Registries. These registries are very helpful to local agencies providing disaster relief.

• Check Your County Now

 

 

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