Sheltering After the “Big One”

1. Sheltering After the “Big One” Lisa Bennett Area Director, West Disaster Services

2. Damage and displaced persons estimates taken from: When the Big One Strikes Again – Estimated Losses due to a Repeat of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Charles A. Kircher,a) M.EERI, Hope A. Seligson,b) M.EERI, Jawhar Bouabidc) M.EERI, and Guy C. Morrowd) M.EERI, 2006

3. 19 Total Counties affected 9 with at least 1,000 units estimated major or destroyed Alameda – 38,955 Contra Costa – 4,032 Marin – 6,991 San Francisco – 87,995 San Mateo – 41,356 Monterey – 2,553 Santa Clara – 52,911 Santa Cruz – 5,216 Sonoma – 2,855 Impacted Counties/Chapters Charles A. Kircher,a) M.EERI, Hope A. Seligson,b) M.EERI, Jawhar Bouabidc) M.EERI, and Guy C. Morrowd) M.EERI, 2006

4. Planning Assumptions • Traditional methods of Care & Shelter will not be adequate and will require extraordinary coordination strategies among governmental and other community agencies. • A robust Bulk distribution system will be required to support this level of sheltering, feeding and supply distribution to people using alternative sheltering methods.

5. Planning Assumptions • Wide-spread damage to commercial buildings will make a significant number of local vendor/partner agreements unusable. • Airports closed (SFO, OAK and San Jose) to all air traffic for several days. Ports could be damaged limiting incoming commodities.

6. Planning Assumptions • It is anticipated that a large number of people will self-evacuate the area. • Evacuation will be hampered by massive infrastructure and roadway damage. • Evacuation numbers and shelter populations will likely increase over days, peak sheltering will occur day 7-10.

7. Total estimated displaced persons 245,649 households (2.7 per household) – 663,252 individuals • An estimated 132,000 – 330,000 may seek public shelter (This number is high to account for those with minor damage, aftershocks & secondary disasters, transient population and high social vulnerability). • Of those, up to 135,000 could seek public shelter outside the impact area. Displaced persons estimate from: Charles A. Kircher,a) M.EERI, Hope A. Seligson,b) M.EERI, Jawhar Bouabidc) M.EERI, and Guy C. Morrowd) M.EERI, 2006

8. Sheltering Challenges • Traditional Sheltering • Providing for people with Specific Functional Needs in general congregate shelters – working at the local level to integrate providers who work with these populations into the shelter system • Alternative Sheltering - Many people will seek alternative sheltering (i.e. tents, cars, open space) and will require assistance in the form of bulk distribution of life sustaining supplies including food and water. • Medical Needs sheltering - Current integrated planning underway with CA Health and Human Services • Pets – Pet sheltering in conjunction with human shelters, success is largely dependent on owner preparedness

9. Community Sheltering/Distribution Hubs – a concept with possibility • Multi-functional service delivery sites where traditional sheltering will occur if possible and where alternative sheltering is supported. • Initial priority resources will be directed to these locations – Hub and spoke system. • Food, water, critical bulk distribution items and first aid are initially provided to those who need it from these sites. • From these hubs, additional requirements can be identified, staffed and resourced.

10. Red Cross Response • National Human Resource system has over 50,000 members who travel • Infrastructure constraints will make deployment into the area difficult or impossible • Initial response must come from within the impact area

11. Potential Next Steps for Individuals • Personal preparedness is key – First 72 -96 hours • Make a plan • Build a Kit • Get Involved • Donate Time • Donate Money

12. Next Steps - Partners • The provision of service for this scenario requires flexible and innovative collaboration with established and emergent partners • We seek partners dedicated to their own disaster preparedness and providing services in times of disaster.

13. Building Community Response Partnership Strategy • The Building Community Response strategy focuses on local capacity development to collectively meet critical initial mass care services of sheltering & feeding • Seeks to address issues of diversity, hard to reach populations and integration of community resources and knowledge

14. Shelter System Models • Traditional Red Cross Shelters • Red Cross/Partner Shelters • Red Cross Supported Shelters • Above 3 must adhere to Fundamental Principles and Disaster Code of Conduct • Independently Managed Shelters

15. Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Humanity. Impartiality. Neutrality. Independence. Voluntary Service. Unity. Universality.

16. Local Chapter Preparedness Efforts • Community and personal preparedness efforts • Volunteer Recruitment • Partner Involvement • Local planning

17. Local Chapter Information • American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter – www.redcrossbayarea.org or Gregory Smith (415)427-8027 • Sonoma & Mendocino Counties Chapter – www.arcsm.org or Rodger Doncaster (707)577-7609 • Silicon Valley Chapter – www.siliconvalley-redcross.org or Tom Busk (408)577-2010