SHELTER / MASS CARE

WASHINGTON COUNTY EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN

Updated: March 06, 2004

(See Appendix 1 of this document for Special Needs Populations)

I.	PURPOSE
	This annex provides for the care of the population through the identification of shelters and provision of mass care.
II.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation
		1.	Based upon the County's hazard analysis, there are several different emergencies / disasters which could require the County to provide shelter / mass care. The most likely events that would require shelters to be opened are severe storms, tornadoes, hazardous material incidents, fires and hurricanes.
		2.	There are shelters in Washington County which have been approved by the Red Cross for use as hurricane shelters.
		3.	The County will assume no responsibility / liability for unauthorized shelter openings during emergency events.
		4.	Sheltering of Washington County evacuees in other counties will be coordinated through the State Division of Emergency Management’s EOC.
		5.	Emergency workers and their families will be provided a shelter facility when needed. This shelter will require limited support from the Center for Human Services.
		6.	Shelter space could become limited for County residents if shelters are opened prematurely to accommodate Outer Banks evacuees.
		7.	Special needs of homebound individuals will be accommodated in the shelters.
	B.	Assumptions
		1.	Local grocery stores, restaurants and other businesses will support initial shelter / mass care operations with donations of emergency supplies.
		2.	For out‑of‑county evacuation, sufficient shelter capacity exists in adjacent counties. Shelter locations can be arranged and made available.
		3.	A high percentage of evacuees will seek shelter with friends or relatives or at motels / hotels rather than go to public shelter.
		4.	Churches and other groups may open shelters independently. These shelters can not be supported by the County or American Red Cross.
		5.	Provisions have been made with the Plumblee Nursing Center to house special needs citizens in the event of a disaster, if the center has not been affected.
		6.	Evacuees will be provided with public information in the shelters concerning the emergency event.
III.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	The Washington County Director of the Center for Human Services, the Washington County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Washington County Health Department and the Washington County Superintendent of Schools will jointly develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) for shelter operations.
	B.	The Control Group will make decisions on when and where to open shelters in emergencies affecting Washington County. However, in an isolated emergency, the Incident Commander may request the opening of a shelter through the Emergency Management Coordinator.
	C.	The Washington County Center for Human Services serving as the lead agency for Shelter / Mass Care, will coordinate shelter location and operation with the American Red Cross (ARC), and will mutually support shelter operations with shared personnel and support services whenever possible.
	D.	If additional shelter support is needed following a disaster event, requests for assistance should be made through the State Division of Emergency Management’s EOC.
	E.	Public and private providers of institutional care (medical and residential) remain responsible for shelter plans for their residents.
	F.	The Control Group in coordination with the Washington County Center for Human Services, the Washington County Superintendent of Schools and the American Red Cross will decide when shelters should be closed.
	G.	At each approved shelter location, the County will provide health / medical support, communications, fire protection and security.
	H.	Churches, Fire Stations, and community centers can be used as pick-up points for persons or groups requiring transportation to shelters.
	I.	Crisis intervention and mental health counseling should be provided at shelters.

Appendix 1

SPECIFIC TO SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTERING AND MASS CARE

I.	SITUATION AND ASSUMPTIONS
	A.	Situation
		1.	Washington County has, within the general population, special needs individuals and special needs groups that will require individual and / or special assistance in the event evacuation is required.
		2.	Some persons with special needs may, with minimal assistance, be able to function in a mass care shelter, while those persons with special health needs requiring constant care and / or life support systems, will require a special needs shelter or a medical facility.
	B.	Assumptions
		1.	Any person with special needs for whom care can be provided by that person or by family members should be accepted in the shelter serving his family and his community.
		2.	Sheltering for special needs will be unique to the County and the special needs shelter may be in a separate, designated area of a building housing a mass care shelter, or in a separate facility, depending on the resources available (i.e., Plumblee Nursing Center).
		3.	Private and government operated residential facilities caring for special needs groups, such as nursing homes, rest homes, group homes for the mentally ill or developmentally disabled, etc., are responsible for their clients continual care during and after the time an evacuation is required. This includes financial responsibility.
		4.	Private and government operated facilities caring for special needs groups for less than 24 hours, such as day care, pre-school, day health, are responsible for their clients continual care during and after an evacuation is required, until or unless the client is released to a parent or a responsible adult and within the agreements for such release already in place by the care giver.
II.	CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS
	A.	Sheltering for special needs populations will be accomplished through the coordinated efforts of private facilities, governmental agencies, and county-to-county mutual aid agreements.
	B.	The Washington County Health Department, supported by the Washington County Department of Human Services are designated as the agencies to ensure that shelter care is provided for special needs groups. This will involve team planning for special needs shelters with public agencies, private facilities and the medical profession.
	C.	The Washington County Emergency Management Coordinator will assist the Health Department as well as DSS and other local agencies with issues related to special needs sheltering, including coordination of operation of special needs shelters when a publicly operated special needs shelter is necessary.
	D.	Divisions under the Department of Human Resources that operate residential facilities are required to have current plans in place for the evacuation and sheltering of special needs populations. These plans shall be shared with the Washington County Health Department.
	E.	Private facilities will be responsible for the evacuation and sheltering of their patients, to include transport to and from shelters, as well as financial responsibility for their clients.
	F.	Sheltering needs of special needs groups may be met in the County if an appropriate facility is available; in adjoining counties with prior approval from DHR; in certain DHR state operated facilities; or, in shelters administered by county Departments of Human Services or Health.
	G.	The Special Needs population information is compiled in a database and maintained by Washington County Emergency Management.
Appendix 2 SHELTER AND MASS CARE
		Designated shelters, and capacity
		*Source - NCDEM Engineering assessment - 1998
			Shelters	Spaces
			Pine Tree Elementary School	260
			Special Needs	Spaces / Beds
			Plumblee Nursing Center	35
Note: Additional shelters can be designated or auxiliary (aux) can be opened based upon need as determined by shelter staff in coordination with Emergency Management.