Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
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Sheltering.
One of the most complex tasks assigned to ESF-6 is to shelter
those displaced during a disaster. Each disaster is different and may involve
sheltering a surge of evacuees from an impacted area in a different commu-
nity and/or finding shelter within an impacted area. As discussed in FNSS
Overview, the FNSS Guidance requires accommodations for those with
functional need in general population shelters. To the extent feasible, local,
tribal, and state agencies with ESF-6 responsibilities should identify shelters
that comply with American's with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines and pro-
vide resources set forth in the FNSS Guidance. Federal agencies will provide
assistance, resources, and technical assistance in support of local, tribal, and
state governments, VOLAGs, and host states when conventional and non-
conventional congregate care systems and shelter-in-place activities require
additional resources. The National Shelter System (NSS), a Web-based data-
base, provides information for shelters posted to the NSS during response to
disasters and emergencies. Other nonconventional sheltering may include:
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Hotels, motels, and other single-room facilities
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Temporary facilities such as tents, prefab module facilities, trains, and
ships
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Specialized shelters and functional and medical support shelters (through
coordination with ESF-8 and the affected or host state)
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Support for other specialized congregate care areas that may include
respite centers, rescue areas, and decontamination processing centers
Initially, during a catastrophic incident, disaster survivors may form loose
groupings of individual shelters or group tents erected in the affected area and
near their homes. These temporary shelters will provide minimum shelter but the
affected population will rely on support for food, water, first aid, and information.
As situational awareness is gained, local, tribal, state, and federal coordination can
ensue to allow identification of suitable congregate care facilities, transportation,
and other resource needs to support sheltering. The American Red Cross (ARC),
nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and faith-based organizations provide
critical support during initial and ongoing sheltering operations. Preplanning with
these organizations locally is crucial to facilitate timely and effective response to
sheltering needs.
FEMA supports sheltering via activation of the Individual Assistance-Technical
Assistance Contract for mass care services. This contract allows FEMA to support
a variety of sheltering missions. FEMA also facilitates mass care resource requests
from NGOs via FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs). The ARC provides per-
sonnel to staff FEMA regional offices in support of ESF-6 mass care activities and
can deploy specially trained liaisons to work at designated locations to support mass
care activities. The Salvation Army can also deploy liaisons to work at designated
locations to support mass care activities and can provide subject-matter expertise
on regulations, policy, and relevant mass care issues. Other national organizations,
