08-09-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ramsey County │ Annex H: Mass Care and Shelter 10 disaster sheltering. Little privacy is available, but it is the most efficient method for providing support services to large numbers of people. This allows for a greater number of jurisdictional resources to be dedicated to other operational priorities and, in most cases, allows for a faster recovery. • Non-congregate sheltering is defined as temporary housing in which each individual or household has living space that offers some level of privacy (e.g., hotels, motels, casinos, dormitories, or retreat camps). During periods of high transmission of infectious diseases, such as a pandemic, this type of shelter is preferred and may even be required. Non-congregate sheltering is also ideal when there has been a significant impact on households due to a large- scale or catastrophic disaster, and the need for sheltering is anticipated to remain for an extended period. In such cases, sheltering may begin in congregate facilities, but the transition to non-congregate or modified congregate comes later in the response period. Other situations may be identified that are best supported by non-congregate sheltering as well, such as providing additional support for vulnerable populations such as individuals with DAFN. • Modified congregate sheltering is defined as temporary housing in a congregate environment but with modifications in place to limit the risk of exposure to infectious disease. This may include capping the number of individuals who can be housed in one space (such as 50% of capacity by fire code), protocols for spacing between individuals/families (such as 6’ between cots), or other modifications. Modified congregate sheltering may be used when non- congregate sheltering is preferable, but resources are unavailable to support it. 3.1.6.3 Heating/cooling shelter Heating and cooling shelters provide a climate-controlled environment as a respite for affected persons during the hottest or coldest part of a day. They have limited mass feeding, mainly snacks, and hydration. Given these sites have power, they may also have charging capabilities. • Cooling centers generally provide services during the mid to late afternoon and have no dormitory function. • Heating centers generally operate overnight but not during the day and may have a dormitory function. Heating/cooling shelters may be needed at any time of year but are most likely to be opened during extended power outages and/or extreme weather events. Facilities that lend themselves to cooling centers (depending on power generation and current use) include public libraries and parks and recreation facilities. Private facilities that are open to the public and that can provide respite from the heat are referred to as cooling spaces. Since heating shelters typically have a dormitory function, facilities that have been pre-identified for mass care facility use tend to be good options. 3.1.6.4 Bulk Distribution Methods of bulk distribution describe how commodities are provided directly to the impacted communities. The planned distribution includes robust yet scalable methods to accommodate any level of disaster and support the characteristics of the affected communities. Two common methods include: