Department ofHealth and Human Services

Liisa Jackson MA Region 4A Medical Reserve Coordinator

MRC Sheltering 101Shelter Operations

Training ObjectivesReview the importance of a clear

sheltering plan.Understand the importance of adjusting

the plan to meet local needs during a disaster

Recognize and Challenge global rules that may not work in “real life”.

MRC Sheltering 101What Katrina taught us

Sheltering Rules –challenged and changedBetter serve the needs of the population Worst case scenario exceededDisaster broke all the rulesSome plans and procedures inadequate Regional and state plans and procedures

inconsistent with local

MRC Sheltering 101What Katrina taught us

Headlines you did not see !!1.2 million people were saved by having a planFEMA assets 48-hours before Katrina landfallMillions opened their cities, homes, hearts and

checkbooks to meet human needs62,000 rescued from rooftops/overpasses in 4

days1million residents evacuated in 2 days

MRC Sheltering 101Shelter Selection Criteria

Above 100 Year Flood PlainAir-ConditionedBack-up Power SupplyAdequate Restroom FacilitiesAdequate Area for Feeding Sheltered

PopulationLocated on Public Transportation Route

MRC Sheltering 101Shelter Selection Criteria

Know your saturation pointBricks and mortar Ability to support food/clothing/shelterPublic Safety capabilities Health Care community Regional Support Long term

– Infrastructure assimilation capabilities• Schools; Rental Property; Jobs

MRC Sheltering 101Shelter Support

• Transportation Population without their own transportation Identifying and transporting clients to the shelter Supported by Department of Social Services

• Food Local restaurant donations Contracted Vendors (3meals/24 hours/ 7 days) Committed volunteers [school cafeteria staff]

• Sleeping Supplies• Medical Supplies• Pets – yes or no???

MRC Sheltering 101Shelter Partners

Multi-Agency Coordination ARCMedical Reserve CorpsCity and Town Health DepartmentsFire DepartmentsLaw Enforcement AgenciesNon-Profits OrganizationsFaith-Based CommunityHealthcare Community

MRC Sheltering 101Partners – who does what well

American Red CrossShelter Operations

Volunteers local/nationalCommoditiesLaundry

Mass FeedingLocal restaurant donationsContracted Vendors (3meals/24 hours/ 7 days)Committed volunteers

MRC Sheltering 101Partners – who does what well

Salvation Army

Food services and pastoral counselingHas managed staff Individual support

Non-medical special needsSubstance abusersMental Health Issues

MRC Sheltering 101Partners – who does what well

Faith Based ShelterHuman Resources

Built in command structureNurses, clerical staff, food service volunteers. Social WorkersManagers

Spiritual Needs

MRC Sheltering 101Partners – who does what well

Fire Department / EMSTriage/Treatment/Transport Mass DecontaminationEMS ResponseDaily ShowersOff Duty Volunteers

Law EnforcementNational GuardShelter Security

• Local Police Department inside• Local Police outside shelter

MRC Sheltering 101Partners – who does what well

Healthcare Organizations Shelter Support

Mental/PhysicalIn House Clinics

Hospital SurgePharmaceutical Support

MRC Sheltering 101Who are the residents???

General Population Shelters • No disabilities [physical, emotional, mental]

◘ Supported by ARC◘ Medical Reserve Corps

Support ARC Shelters by providing medical care Operate Smaller Self Sustaining Shelters under

local Health Departments

MRC Sheltering 101Who are the residents???

Special Needs Shelters Individuals requiring constant medical

attention/careShelter Population includes

• Patients Their immediate family Caregivers

Supported by:• State Department of Public Health and Hospitals• Local Boards of Health

MRC Sheltering 101Sheltering & ICS

P u b lic Info rm a tionO ffic e r

S a fe tyO ffic e r

L ia isonO ffic e r

O p e ra tio ns P la n n ing L o g is tics F in an c e/A d m in is tra tion

In c id e ntC o m m a n d er

Key Concepts of ICSChain of Command

A series of management positions in order of authoritySpan of Control

Number of people who directly report to someone limited to 3-7 (optimally 5)Scalability

Ability to expand and contract depending on incident size and complexityFlexibility

Can be used in a wide variety of circumstances

MRC Sheltering 101Sheltering & ICS

MRC Sheltering 101Job Action Sheets

What is the general responsibility of this station? Who do you turn to when you have a problem? What supplies do you need for this station? What do you do during Activation stage? What are some typical actions/jobs during

Operation stage? What do you do during change of

shift/Deactivation?

MRC Sheltering 101Mini-Scenarios

MRC Sheltering 101Things to think about

Registration

• How to identify residents

• How to identify families

• When to hand out rules/regulations

• How to track residents who leave/return the shelter

• Who is going to monitor residents taking care of pets

MRC Sheltering 101Things to think about

Dormitory• Set-up [single men, single women, families, elderly,

medical, special needs]

• Schedules – activities, meals, lights out, showers

• Posting of rules [no smoking, weapons, drinking; care of pets, responsibility for personal items]

MRC Sheltering 101Things to think about

Medical

• How will you handle behavioral problems

• Where will “ill” residents be cared for [sleep]

• How will these patients get their meals

• Do you need to identify residents with allergies [wristband]

MRC Sheltering 101Things to think about

Food• Cooking staff [school cafeteria staff?]

• Residents with food allergies [personal responsibility]

• Meal hours

• What about snacks [what, when, where]

• What about special diets

MRC Sheltering 101Things to think about

Section Chiefs• Shelter Manager

• Medical Director

• Staffing Coordinator

• Clinical Unit Supervisor

• Clerical Unit Leader

• Dormitory Leader

• Food Services Leader

MRC Sheltering 101Things to think about

Other areas• How will MRC volunteers be identified• How will resident helpers be identified• Volunteer rest periods

Memorandums of understanding• Food, transportation, pets, security, sleeping supplies• Get them NOW• Get to know all of the possible partners

MRC Sheltering 101What to do NOW

Plan for the future• Notification

– Need for sheltering– How will it be accomplished– Where to go / hours of operation– How to get transportation

• Volunteers – notification, scheduling

Educate your residents• Let them know the rules/limitations in advance

– No pets, provide own food, care for own pet• Responsible for monitoring own food allergies• Responsible for own personal items• Shelter rules – No smoking, drugs, weapons, alcohol