
Calvary Relief OEM Sheltering Class
June 4, 2025, 6-10pm
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NOTES
Taught by Red Cross Representative and OEM Staff below
Michael Petshauer, Coordinator Phone: (732) 721-5600, Ext. 3070, &
Brian Selover, Deputy Coordinator Phone: (732) 861-3144 bselover@oldbridge.com
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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Local Shelter is at Old Bridge Senior Center (short term - 72 hours or less) Have cots, blankets, supplies, etc.
County Shelter to be at Sandburg Middle School
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First step is to identify needs and have recovery plan as to how people can move forward.
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Temporary, safe refuge for those affected by fire, other local disaster – usually 3-5 days max.
Sometimes long-term (i.e. Maui fires)
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Can connect people with needed services. Facility is a lot more than just sheltering. Shelter can also serve as a community center, service center where people can pick up emergency supplies and get information.
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Client first – needs met, make comfortable.
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Talk to people to see what they need. Open-ended questions (i.e. disabilities, allergies, medical devices, etc. ??)
Need to know demographic details – think of what is needed and feed info up chain of command so they know what’s needed. Find out during Registration.
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CART – Community Animal Response Team (partners with Red Cross)
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Disasters and emergencies that destroy homes (fires, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.)
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TYPES OF SHELTERS
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Evacuation centers (less then 24 hours),
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Hurricane & Wildfires evacuation centers
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Family Assistance Center (FAC) mass casualties (long-term)
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Congregate Shelter – open area
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Mega (Complex) Shelter – more than 1000 people
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Last Resort Shelter – i.e. Hurricane Katrina
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Staff Shelter – for volunteers, different groups
Note: Facilities used as shelters need to be ADA compliant & only licensed food suppliers​
Those wanting to help in kitchen need food-safety certification.
SUPERVISORS & Workers in Shelters –
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Overall Manager
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Shift Supervisors – runs the shelter (1 for ea. Shift) runs the shelter
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Usually 2 shifts (12 hours each), sometime 3 shifts (8 hours each)
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Functional Supervisors (3)
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Shelter workers
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Mental Health and Spiritual Helpers
3 PHASES
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Opening
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Operating
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Closing
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SETUP
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40 square feet per person – store their stuff under their cots
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Accounting for everything
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Have forms to use and online (registration form and other ones – one type generic forms)
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Cover floors before putting down cots
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Put up signs – post shelter rules
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Supervisors direct work of shelter workers​
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CLOSING
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Have place for people to go
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Tasks – cleaning, putting stuff away, take down signs
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Final walk-through to make sure everything is okay
Job induction Assignments (Roles & Responsibilities identified)
Always something to do! Walk arounds, talk to people, share info when shift changes.
When in doubt about something, ask Supervisor
Media to be escorted – NOT allowed in Dormitory area (only for residents)
Did Walk Through of Senior Center (where local shelter to be set up) – registration area, dormitory (sleeping) area, game/gathering room, kitchen & dining area. Great accommodations for a shelter.
Make-up class to be planned for those unable to attend this sheltering class.
County-wide training to be provided
CERT training at later date
Teams and leaders to be identified
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To Sign Up for a makeup Sheltering Class of other upcoming trainings, click on tab below.