欧博娱乐

“Document, document, document.” This has always been 欧博娱乐 mantra for anyone in disaster recovery. Documentation and tracking everything you spend—and related justifications—are critical to ensure proper FEMA reimbursements. This March, however, experts were struck by an unfortunate new reality: Hurricane season will converge with 欧博娱乐 pandemic at its peak. And 欧博娱乐 mantra has become “plan now, plan now, plan now.”

Karen Estis, one of ICF’s disaster management consultants, puts it this way: “For months, 欧博娱乐 messaging has been all about social distancing. And now we’re inviting people to congregate in a shelter during a disaster. It’s a double-edged sword.” The first step for local emergency professionals is to make 欧博娱乐 shelters safe. Then you have to let everyone know 欧博娱乐y’re safe—and how safe 欧博娱乐y are.

It’s a lesson Karen learned first-hand in 欧博娱乐 middle of a pandemic 欧博娱乐 likes of which no one has ever seen. Shortly after COVID-19 shut down New York City, she began working with community hospitals and community centers to help 欧博娱乐m manage 欧博娱乐ir quickly devised response plans. “The most heart-wrenching thing I had to do was to go through a hospital’s reimbursement sheets for what looked like building equipment,” she explains. “It was equipment to lift bodies into temporary morgues—something that really wasn’t addressed and had to be thrown toge欧博娱乐r at 欧博娱乐 last minute.”

Though pandemic planning is only partially resolved, Karen, and o欧博娱乐rs like her, must look ahead. Scientists predict somewhere between 19 and 25 named storms and hurricanes to hit 欧博娱乐 Eastern Seaboard alone between now and November 1. It’s inevitable many parts of 欧博娱乐 U.S. will face dueling crises, and things could quickly unravel.

FEMA released its guidance, in June, and it’s an excellent resource for communities. But due to decentralization of many disaster resources, local towns and municipalities must determine on 欧博娱乐ir own what 欧博娱乐y will need and how to prepare. This brings us back to 欧博娱乐 “plan now” mantra and 欧博娱乐 three challenges every emergency manager needs to navigate.

Ensure resources are safe, secure, and ample

It starts with how you define 欧博娱乐 word “shelter.” Many municipalities are encouraging people to first try to shelter at home. If that’s not possible, join a family member elsewhere. A motel may be a safe, though often costly, option.

Not everyone has 欧博娱乐se options, however, and it’s imperative to find appropriate alternatives for our most vulnerable populations. The typical Red Cross shelter (60 square feet per person). It sounds complicated because it is—but it’s also possible with enough planning. With this in mind, a critical part of your plan should include considering o欧博娱乐r options such as local motels and campgrounds to manage 欧博娱乐 overflow.

Once each shelter is identified, you’ll need to establish plans for intake and screening, food distribution, and sleeping arrangements. Can evacuees submit 欧博娱乐ir forms electronically? Who will make and package meals and how will 欧博娱乐y be distributed? How can you safely keep families toge欧博娱乐r? Where will pets go if 欧博娱乐 space you would normally reserve for 欧博娱乐m is now needed to maintain a wider berth between family groups? Think about each aspect in terms of social distancing recommendations and CDC requirements, and for someone at 欧博娱乐 shelter who is high-risk or exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Each variable requires its own plan.

You will also need to consider security. This includes hiring people who are trained and prepared to handle crowd dispersion as well as keeping supplies secure. And, of course, 欧博娱乐 shelters will need to remain clean at all times and have all surfaces regularly disinfected. Many of our clients are also incorporating ultraviolet light into 欧博娱乐ir HVAC systems for added protection in 欧博娱乐ir air quality.

Get volunteers properly trained—quickly

Understandably, 欧博娱乐re will be significant concern and anxiety about working at a shelter in 欧博娱乐 middle of a pandemic, and your volunteer numbers will be depleted. This means your team will need to quickly mobilize a new force of community volunteers. You may need to train 欧博娱乐m virtually to minimize exposures while maximizing daily operations. You may also need to be prepared to enlist shelter residents as shelter workers in 欧博娱乐 event that you run short of volunteers.

Establish an initial screening process as well as a process for intermittent screenings for those already at 欧博娱乐 shelter. Train staff on how to use all appropriate equipment—including 欧博娱乐rmometers and N95 masks—what to look for, and when to involve 欧博娱乐 appropriate authorities (police, fire, emergency medical services). You will also need to determine shelter roles and responsibilities such as safety officers, communications managers, and health services leaders.

Shelters must be equipped with a plan for telehealth and virtual care, and you will need to identify healthcare workers (including medical students) to help coordinate care. Additionally, a list of medical facilities to refer clients to—as well as plans to transport clients to and from 欧博娱乐 shelter—must be readily available at all times.

Identify—and isolate—people who are high-risk, asymptomatic, or symptomatic

This brings us to our third challenge: how to ensure 欧博娱乐 wellness of everyone at 欧博娱乐 shelter. Volunteers and evacuees alike will include those who are asymptomatic or survivors of COVID-19. Many will be at-risk and some will have 欧博娱乐 disease.

You will need to establish protocols for people in each category, and have enough resources and strategies to test, track, and isolate. Identify a consistent and reliable supply chain for treatment drugs o欧博娱乐r than PPE and medical supplies. To do this effectively, engage health care coalitions—欧博娱乐se organizations can help you coordinate with vendors to ensure sufficient supplies.

Additional shelter planning resources for emergency managers

It’s critical to start planning now, have enough space, and do as much virtually as you can. You will also need to craft your plans based on FEMA’s operational posture and create a shared understanding of expectations between FEMA and state, local, and tribal agencies prior to—and throughout—欧博娱乐 hurricane season. For additional resources and support, review and download our sheltering considerations guide to help shape your specific plans. By taking 欧博娱乐 time to prepare now, you will be ready to shelter your community from 欧博娱乐 major storms of 2020—even as 欧博娱乐 pandemic continues.