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Calvary Relief OEM Sheltering Class

June 4, 2025, 6-10pm

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

GENERAL INFORMATION

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 

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)

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.  

Client first – needs met, make comfortable. 

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.

CART – Community Animal Response Team (partners with Red Cross)

Disasters and emergencies that destroy homes (fires, storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.)

TYPES OF SHELTERS

  • Evacuation centers (less then 24 hours),

  • Hurricane & Wildfires evacuation centers

  • Family Assistance Center (FAC) mass casualties (long-term)

  • Congregate Shelter – open area

  • Mega (Complex) Shelter – more than 1000 people

  • Last Resort Shelter – i.e. Hurricane Katrina

  • 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 –

  • Overall Manager

  • Shift Supervisors – runs the shelter (1 for ea. Shift) runs the shelter

    • Usually 2 shifts (12 hours each), sometime 3 shifts (8 hours each)

  • Functional Supervisors (3)

  • Shelter workers

  • Mental Health and Spiritual Helpers

 

3 PHASES

  • Opening

  • Operating

  • Closing

SETUP

  • 40 square feet per person – store their stuff under their cots

  • Accounting for everything

    • Have forms to use and online (registration form and other ones – one type generic forms)

  • Cover floors before putting down cots

  • Put up signs – post shelter rules

  • Supervisors direct work of shelter workers

CLOSING

  • Have place for people to go

  • Tasks – cleaning, putting stuff away, take down signs

  • 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

To Sign Up for a makeup Sheltering Class of other upcoming trainings, click on tab below.

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