Shelter Exercise

A. Objectives of the Simulation

1. Ability to identify key areas and positions needed to operate a shelter

2. Work as a team to provide essential services to shelter clients

3. Address commonly encountered problems effectively

The Sheltering Handbook should be used as a reference to assist each participant throughout the simulation. The facilitator can provide clarification or further instruction of the exercise.

B. Teams

The class should be divided into teams with an equal amount of participants. Each group will represent a shelter team in this scenario, working together throughout the entire exercise.

Select one member of the team to be the Shelter Manager or the instructor can act as the shelter manager

C. Scenario

You have received a call from your local American Red Cross Chapter. A tornado has touched down in the local area and a shelter will be opening for the residents who have been affected. The actual number of people affected has not been confirmed, but numerous homes and businesses have been destroyed. The weather system that generated the tornado has passed and major roads to the sheltering location are accessible. The shelter has selected Faith Something Church as the shelter location and the facility owner has been contacted. They are waiting for a Red Cross shelter team to arrive and plan to meet the shelter manager in 45 minutes.

The chapter has been in communication with the local Emergency Manager regarding the choice of shelter locations and has also notified the county Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and Public Health agencies regarding the shelter location. You have been asked to get to the shelter as soon as it is safely possible.

After arriving at the shelter location, you note that the Red Cross shelter manager has finished the preoccupancy inspection, and has insured that a current Shelter Survey and Shelter Agreement are in place.

The shelter manager calls for a meeting with the members of...